3 Cons Of Installing Tankless Water Heaters And How To Bypass Them | Atlanta, GA
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Gone are the days when we had to tolerate cold showers just because there isn’t enough hot water in the home. Tankless water heaters can provide an unlimited amount of hot water. They’re also fairly easy to install, use up less energy, require less space, and have a higher life expectancy. These water heaters also have a zero risk of the tank exploding and can lower the risk of burns and exposure to toxic metals. They can even improve the market value of your home when you put it on the market. You’d be surprised at just how much tankless water heaters can impress potential buyers.
Although the list of advantages can go on and on, these plumbing appliances are not perfect, and they do come with their own unique set of disadvantages. Before you consider the option of installing tankless water heaters in your home in Atlanta, GA, make sure that you are well aware of the following disadvantages. Fortunately, it’s easy to bypass most of these issues. Once you know how to bypass them, you’ll usually find that tankless options may be better for your home and family.
#1. Higher Upfront Cost for Installation and the Unit
One of the main reasons why many homeowners hesitate to install tankless water heaters in Atlanta, GA is because the units tend to be a bit pricier than traditional water heaters. On top of that, the installation service can be costly as well, so if you already have a functional water heater in your home, it may not seem like it’s worth it to switch to tankless water heaters.
If you’re on a budget, there are quite a few things that you can do. For one, some energy programs offer rebates for those who switch to tankless water heaters, as these heaters tend to be much more energy-efficient. The only difficult thing is knowing where to look for these rebates. Fortunately, the plumbing company should have an idea. Some plumbing companies may even help you apply for rebates.
Another solution is to look for a plumbing company that is willing to provide you with some type of financing option. Some companies will allow you to set up some type of payment plan that will make switching to tankless water heaters a lot more affordable. Keep in mind that you’ll save money on your energy bills every month, and those savings can go towards paying off the tankless water heaters.
#2. A Cold Water Sandwich
A weird phenomenon that sometimes happens with these types of water heaters is that the next person to take a bath may be hit with a sudden burst of cold water. This happens when the water heater does not have enough time to recuperate. Although this may be uncomfortable, the cold water sandwich doesn’t last long, and the person showering should get some hot and warm water within a minute after.
Fortunately, the solution for this is rather simple. All you have to do is wait for ten minutes or so before jumping into the shower. This will give the heater enough time to recuperate. If you’re thinking of switching to tankless options, you should consider setting up some type of schedule, so that everyone takes a shower at a different time. This will greatly reduce the risk of anyone experiencing a cold water sandwich. Other than that, there’s nothing else that you can do. Even if you are hit with a cold water sandwich, just know that the unpleasantness won’t last long at all. You’ll be back to enjoying a nice hot bath or shower within a minute.
#3. No Access to Hot Water During a Power Outage
Tankless heaters are powered by electricity, so if there’s a power outage, you won’t have any access to hot water. If you have a traditional hot water heater, the tank is typically heated up by a pilot light and gas, so you’ll still be able to enjoy some hot water during a power outage.
The solution to this is to install a backup generator. This, however, is quite a costly solution, and may not be an ideal choice for many homeowners, especially if they don’t want to fork out the money to buy a backup generator. If you don’t experience power outages often, it’s also quite unnecessary to install a backup generator.
Some tankless options also come with a type of battery, so they will be still functional for some time during a power outage. With that said, the battery usually won’t last too long, and it will run out of juice after some time. You might be able to replace the battery with a new one yourself; however, by then, the power should be on again.
Although you won’t be able to access hot water during a power outage, it’s important to note that this isn’t a problem that will affect many people, as power outages don’t usually happen that often even in Atlanta, GA.
Call Us for an Estimate or for Installation Services
Although tankless water heaters do come with their own unique set of cons, they are some of the most praised plumbing appliances on the market today. These water heaters have completely revolutionized and changed the way that many plumbing systems function. More importantly, they’re able to greatly improve the quality of living within the residence.
If you’re thinking about getting a tankless water heater for your home give Peach Plumbing & Drain a call at 404-333-1611. And one of our licensed plumbers will be more than happy to walk you through the pros and cons of these units. We’ll also be able to provide you with a free estimate for the installation, as well as walk you through the pros and cons of different brands, makes, and models. There are many different types of tankless options on the market nowadays. Each one has its own unique features.
