Recently my storage tank water heater has started showing its age, which has prompted me to begin my search for its replacement. With the recent promotions for tax breaks and rebates I’ve started to investigate tankless water heaters. They claim better energy efficiency, a longer life expectancy, and unlimited hot water. I found a good overview of them at www.tanklesswaterheaterguide.com. Once I had a better exposure to the tankless heaters I jumped over to www.energystar.gov to find out the bottom line of just how much is available in rebates to offset the higher costs of the tankless systems. Provided you meet their criteria of an energy factor greater than or equal to 0.82 or a thermal efficiency of at least 90% you are available for a 30% rebate in the cost of the equipment and it’s installation. Energy Star also provides a brief flyer – “High Efficiency Water Heaters” (www.energystar.gov/ia/new_homes/features/WaterHtrs_062906.pdf). It provides a general overview and comparison of high efficiency water heaters.
In contrast, I reviewed an article by Consumer Reports (http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/appliances/heating-cooling-and-air/water-heaters/tankless-water-heaters/overview/tankless-water-heaters-ov.htm) that recommends the reader maintain the storage tank heater citing higher up front cost and more maintenance for the tankless models.
For me, I’m leaning toward the tankless model. My water usage is average to below average and the biggest variable in the equation is the cost of energy over the life of the equipment. The tankless models show an expected life of 20 years vs. the 8 – 10 years for the storage tank models.
Anybody have any experiences, good or bad, they’ve had with a tankless water heater. I’d appreciate some honest feedback before I take the leap.
