Is it Time to Go Tankless? Converting from Tank to Tankless Water Heater

Whether dealing with a broken water heater or thinking about a lifestyle upgrade, we often get questions from Central Texas homeowners about whether to convert their tanked water heater into a tankless water heater. While both systems have their advantages, making the right choice involves understanding your household's needs and a few considerations for each system.

What to Consider?

When deciding whether to convert an existing tank water heater to a tankless system, consider the following for your household.

1. Hot Water Usage

How many people live in your home? Households with four or more people often benefit from a tankless that can supply an endless amount of hot water. Think about how your family uses hot water throughout the day. Is it common for you to lose hot water because your running showers, laundry, or dishwashers at the same time?

2. Plans for Your Home and Family

How long do you plan to stay in this home, and do you plan to grow your family? Between the additional comfort and economic benefits, tankless systems will pay themselves off over time. If you plan to stay in your home for five or more years, it’s a great investment, but most homeowner who intend to relocate choose the more economical tank water heater.

3. Energy Usage

Would you like to reduce your energy usage? Whether you are looking for ways to reduce your utility bills or to minimize the impact to the environment, tankless water heaters use less energy than tank water heaters, because they only heat water when you need it. Tank systems heat water throughout the day to keep it hot and ready, versus tankless, which heats only when you open a hot water valve.

4. Space Limitations

Could you use some extra space in your home? Real estate in the greater Austin area is getting more expensive, and homes are being built more compact. Tankless systems are significantly smaller and can open valuable space for storage or other uses. They can also be installed inside or outside the home, although relocating from your current water heater location does add expense.

5. Impact of Failures

Water heaters will eventually fail, regardless of which type. One of the most common problems in Central Texas are tank water heaters in the attic, which are out of sight and out of mind for homeowners. When they fail, they are holding over 40 gallons of water that can cause tens of thousands of dollars to repair. Fortunately, there are protective measures you can take for tank water heaters, but tankless systems minimize this risk because they do not hold water.

So Which One Should I Choose?

Pros and Cons

Tankless water heater systems provide an endless supply of hot water with reduced energy consumption. If you have a larger household and plan to stay in your home a while, they are a great investment. One tradeoff is that they do require an electrical connection to a 120 V outlet in order to ignite the heater. So, if you lose power for any reason, you won’t have hot water until it’s restored.

Tank water heaters are extremely common and work fine for most homes. They are typically less expensive and easily serviceable any most plumbing companies. Since they keep water hot throughout the day, a temporary loss in power does not impact your hot water. Tank water heaters use more energy and can pose a flood risk, especially when located in the attic.

One common question is whether converting to a tankless system will reduce the amount of time it takes for hot water to arrive at a particular fixture, such as the primary bathroom shower. The short answer is no, but there are some additional methods to address that challenge. Call the experts at Good Clean Plumbing to learn more.

Upfront Costs

Tankless water heaters are more expensive to install than tankless, and the additional modifications required to your house can make the total investment 1.5x to 2x the cost of a tank water heater. Fortunately, there are numerous rebates available for homeowners, such as a federal tax credit or even local rebates from utility providers like Texas Gas. The three main factors that impact the cost:

• Gas Lines: Even though the tankless water heater uses less energy overall, when it does run, the system requires more energy than a tank water heater. This is because it must heat water from room temperature quickly. As a result, most homeowners will need to upgrade the size of their gas line to accommodate the higher demand.
• Location and Venting: The layout of your home will dictate what options are available for a tankless system. If you choose a different location from your current tank water heater, additional expense is required to re-route water lines, which can also cause it to take longer for hot water to arrive at your fixtures. Venting is also a factor, since tankless systems have different venting requirements.
• Access: How easy or difficult it is to access the proposed location can have a significant impact on the labor costs for installation.

If you choose to work with our team at Good Clean Plumbing, we offer great financing options to help spread out the initial investment over time.

Maintenance

So what about maintaining these water heater systems? Both systems require annual maintenance, especially in Travis and Williamson counties where hard water is so prevalent. Here’s a quick run down of the maintenance items for each type of system.

Tank Water Heater Maintenance

1. Sediment Buildup: Minerals will accumulate at the bottom of the tank, reducing efficiency and lifespan. Annual flushing is necessary to remove sediment.
2. Anode Rod Replacement: The sacrificial anode rod needs periodic inspection and replacement to prevent corrosion inside the tank.
3. Temperature and Pressure Relief Valve Testing: This valve should be checked regularly to ensure it is functioning properly and preventing excess pressure buildup.

Tankless Water Heater Maintenance

1. Descaling: Hard water will lead to mineral buildup in tankless systems, which causes blockages and reduced efficiency. Regular descaling (every 6-12 months) is recommended to maintain optimal performance.
2. Filter Maintenance: Some models have water filters that need periodic cleaning or replacement to prevent debris from entering the system.
3. Venting Checks: Inspection of venting systems to ensure safety and efficiency.

Very few homeowners know about these maintenance items, or much less perform them regularly, which leads to reduced lifespan or catastrophic failures. You can be proactive by joining the Good Clean Plumbing maintenance plan. Call our office to learn more.