Electric instant water heaters are a great upgrade for any home, especially if you want to level up from your basic storage tank heater. Instant water heaters provide homes with a consistent water flow and temperature as well as energy-saving benefits. If you’re considering installing an electric instant water heater in your home, it’s important to go through the benefits and limitations of the system first to ensure you’re making the right choice. Here are the pros and cons of using an electric instant water heater.
Pros
They’re Generally More Energy Efficient
Although electric instant water heaters can seem costly upfront compared to more affordable storage tank options, this higher upfront cost is almost always offset by the energy-saving benefits the system grants homeowners. Instant water heaters only heat water as it is being used, meaning you only need to pay for what you’re using. Also, lacking a storage tank component means that instant water heaters don’t suffer from the heat loss that occurs in storage tanks, which often leads to homeowners paying for hot water they never use.
They’re Very Easy to Install
The simplicity of electric instant water heaters means that they aren’t encumbered by heavy equipment and are therefore very easy and fast to install. This not only brings down installation costs, but also means that the time to install is much faster, meaning that your house will have access to instant hot water quicker. If you use a licenced plumber or technician to install your instant water heater, the process could take as little as 2 to 3 hours.
They Have a Long Lifespan
On average, the components of electric instant water heaters outperform and outlast their storage tank counterparts in most cases by years. This is because storage tank heaters consist of more moving and complex parts that are also usually not in production anymore. This means that replacement parts are harder to track down and are often a lot more expensive, so if a storage tank heater breaks down toward the end of its lifespan, there is very little chance that it can be salvaged or repaired. Storage tank systems are also prone to the elements, as the storage tank component is usually placed outside, which has a detrimental effect on the lifespan of the system.
Cons
They’re More Expensive to Buy
Due to the sophisticated technology used, electric instant water heaters are generally more expensive to buy. However, in the long run, the higher upfront cost of the appliance will be offset by the generous savings that instant hot water heaters provide. You’ll also reap the benefit of having a newer system that will last longer before breaking down compared to non-instant water heaters.
They Can Be Difficult to Repair
Depending on the complexity of your system, electric instant water heaters are generally more difficult to repair. This can be due to a number of reasons, such as new technology with limited documentation or a complex manufacturing flaw. However, in the right technician’s hands, most instant water heaters can be replaced or repaired with minimal time, effort and cost to the homeowner.
