Licensed Plumber LICENSE #CO88900054
Call For a Licensed Plumber: (317) 859-9999

Is your water heater on its last legs? If your unit has been in place for more than 12-15 years, you may be almost ready for a new one. And as you think about getting a new water heater, there are a few basic decisions you’ll need to make. One of the most fundamental decisions is whether to spring for a tankless water heater.

Basically, there are two options when it comes to hot water heaters. The traditional tank type heats many gallons of water and then holds them in supply, ready for use whenever you need it. Tankless units heat your water on demand; true to their name, they don’t have a supply tank.

So which option makes the most sense for you and your family? When thinking about getting a tankless unit versus a more conventional one, there are a number of pros and cons to consider.

Adjustable water heater
Adjustable water heater

The Pros of Getting a Tankless Water Heater

Let’s start with the positives. What are some of the primary reasons to consider getting a tankless water heater? Some of the advantages include:

  • A tankless water heater will be more energy efficient: Tankless water heaters work entirely on demand. What this means is that your unit will only heat water when you run the shower or turn on the faucet. By contrast, a tank unit requires ongoing heating throughout the day. The upshot: A tankless water heater can help you save a lot of money on your utility bill.
  • Tankless water heaters last much longer: In fact, the average lifespan of a tankless water heater is twice that of a conventional unit. A heater with a tank may cease working within 12 or 15 years. The tankless unit will hold up much better for much longer.
  • A tankless water heater requires less space:Because they don’t need a massive storage tank, tankless water heaters use up much less space in your home, basement, or garage.
  • When you go tankless, you have unlimited hot water whenever you need it:With an on-demand unit, you’ll have as much hot water as you need within seconds.
  • A tankless hot water heater will allow you to run multiple showers or appliances at once:Looking to have a shower, run the dishwasher, and do a load of laundry at the same time? No problem. Tankless water heaters will allow you to do all of this and more without worrying about the hot water running out.

These are just a few of the of the advantages of tankless water heaters.

Water Heater
Water Heater

The Cons of Getting a Tankless Water Heater

Now that we’ve covered the advantages, let’s focus on some of the drawbacks. Here are a few important disadvantages of tankless water heaters.

  • They tend to be more expensive:Generally speaking, water heaters without a tank will cost you more money on the front end. Indeed, if you’re looking for a new hot water heater on a tight budget, this may not be the option for you. However, we would note that tankless water heaters can save you money over the long haul, both because of the energy savings and because of their longer shelf life.
  • Sometimes, installation is a little more complicated: Depending on your home plumbing setup and how much retrofitting is required, installing tankless water heaters can sometimes take longer and require more work. This can vary from one home to the next.
  • Tankless water heaters don’t work as well for larger homes: How many bathrooms do you have? And how many people live with you? If your home has three bathrooms or fewer, tankless water heaters work wonders. For really large homes, however, you may run into energy output problems. For really big homes with many bathrooms, multiple tankless water heaters may be required.

These are just a few disadvantages to keep in mind as you think about heaters tankless and otherwise.

Gas Boiler
worker set up central gas heating boiler at home

Making the Right Decision About Your Hot Water Heater

To recap, what are the advantages and disadvantages of a tankless water heater? And, what are some of the factors you should consider as you shop for a new unit?

  • A conventional hot water heater will last 20 years at the most. Water heaters without tanks will last considerably longer.
  • In terms of energy consumption and hot water per minute, water heaters without tanks are much more efficient.
  • However, it’s not right to say that a tankless hot water unit will never run out of water. In larger homes with many bathrooms, there can be some issues or limitations.
  • Most water heaters without tanks run on gas. Electric models are available, but they are a lot pricier.
  • Because they help you save space and make more efficient use of water, tankless models are better bets overall. However, these units may not be viable options for everyone.

As you consider the different kinds of hot water units that are available, we invite you to contact Carter’s My Plumber. We’ll evaluate your water heating needs and show you some units that we can recommend. Our plumbing experts have ample experience consulting on water heating needs, and we can also provide fast and affordable water heater installation.

Reach out to Carter’s My Plumber with any additional water heater questions or needs.

Kelson Carter

Article reviewed by:

Kelson Carter, aka, The Prince of Plumbing

Kelson is a 3rd generation Plumbing Contractor. His family business is located in Greenwood, Indiana, and provides Residential Plumbing Service to the Indianapolis Metro market.

Kelson grew up watching his grandfather and father do plumbing. After graduating high school, Kelson went to Trade School and became a Licensed Master Plumber and Licensed Plumbing Contractor. He is also Certified in Backflow Prevention. He currently owns and operates Carter's My Plumber with his parents.


Instagram

Schedule Your Appointment Now

  • MM slash DD slash YYYY
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 stars from Debra! Jarred & our team are always here to help relieve any stress related to your plumbing concerns!
Happy St. Patricks's Day from Carter's My Plumber. If you're in need of some luck in the plumbing department, give us a call!
What's our guarantee? Zoom in to find out! Better yet, give us a call and let us tell you what we stand for! 317-859-999 👑
Alright, Indy. It's March, who's your team?
Happy 1 Year Anniversary to our apprentice, Jacob! You're eager to learn, have a strong work ethic, and always bring a positive attitude. We can't wait to see what the next year has in store and SO grateful you're on Team Carter! 👑

If Jacob's in your home this week, you're in good hands & tell him CONGRATS! 317-859-9999
Happy Monday! It's time for some excavation & hydration for our dig crews. Call to get these guys in your yard! 317-859-9999
Tomorrow, March 11, is World Plumbing Day! A big thank you to our team of professionals. They truly protect the nation, and in Carters case, our CITY. Call today to celebrate with us! 317-859-9999 👑
Visit us online to learn more about our Carter Cares water heater give away program! www.cartersmyplumber.com
Check out this 5 star review from Shelby ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Call 317-859-9999 to get an honest, family friendly, and realistically priced plumber in your home!
Installed with pride and precision by our technician, Alex. Give us a call, we promise you won't be disappointed!
Happy Monday! These guys are hard at work making sure everything is running smooth behind the scenes. Call the office at 317-859-9999, they will get you taken care of!
Paul has worked at Carters for a total of 21 years, today! This guys knows his trade, works hard, and keeps all of us laughing. We are lucky to have his skill on our team. 

If Paul is at your house, give him a big CONGRATS! And if you're in need of some plumbing work done by a seasoned professional, give us a call and ask for Paul! 317-859-9999
Happy 1 Year Anniversary to Peyton! You're always willing to lend a helping hand, give a friendly smile, and are eager to learn. If Peyton's in your home this week, give him a pat on the back, he deserves it! 

317-859-9999
Happy 3 Year Anniversary to our excavator, Phil! We are so grateful for your work ethic, reliability, and true skill. If Phil is in your yard this week, give him a big CONGRATS and know you are in greats hands!
Treating YOU like a part of the family. Give us a call and see why Indianapolis has trusted us as their plumber for THREE generations!

317-859-9999
Carter Plumbing will SAVE the day! 317-859-9999
Joedy has been with Carters for a total of 21 years, today! This guy is loyal, works hard, truly knows his stuff, and is a friend to all. He is the best in the business and we are so thankful he's on our team. 

If you need an estimate, some plumbing advice, or just a laugh- ask for Joedy and give him a big CONGRATS!
Only one way to feel like royalty, CALL CARTERS! 👑

317-859-9999
All you need is love..... and HOT water. Happy Valentine's Day!

317-859-9999
That's our promise and we're sticking to it! 

317-859-9999