A tankless water heater can theoretically provide unlimited hot water, as it does not store hot water but heats it as it passes through the system. 2-5 gallons per minute is the average heating rate for a tankless water heater.
This is one of the major benefits to choosing a tankless water heater over a standard water heater, which can only heat the amount of water it can hold, and takes longer to do so. A 50 gallon water heater is the most common standard water heater size. This is a considerable size, providing enough water for 3-5 people to shower within a single hour. However, a larger family is likely to run out at least occasionally, particularly factoring in similar showering schedules and the use of the dishwasher, washing machine and other appliances at the same time.
You are more likely to see an impact on your energy bill than your water bill after choosing a tankless water heater.
One of the main advantages of choosing a tankless water heater vs tank, is that it would be far more energy efficient. One of the main down sides to choosing a standard water heater is that it must store and continuously heat water until it is needed, meaning a lot of energy is wasted. A tankless water heater on the other hand does not create this kind of wasted energy, as water is heated as it flows through the system.
Reduced energy use means lower energy bills!
One of the main considerations when choosing between a tankless water heater vs tank water heater is the lifespan of your investment.
A standard water heater will last a considerable amount of time, between 8 and 12 years, but a tankless water heater should last even longer - around double the amount of time, at about 20 years. The length of this commitment makes the other benefits noted in this article even more important to consider.
Depending on your priorities, it is likely that the benefits of a tankless water heater would outweigh the costs. In terms of tankless water heater vs tank, it is important to consider the following and more: