Do you enjoy hot showers but can’t always get one? Maybe you’re the last person in the house to hop in every morning. Maybe everyone got back from the beach at the same time and all had to use the shower. Perhaps you need run the washing machine while you get ready for the day. Or, you just like a nice long bath or shower but end up out in the cold by the time you're finished.

Whatever the reason for your hot water woes, a Tankless Water Heater may be just the thing to warm up your Jersey Shore home. Not only do they to keep you in hot water longer — in the good way, that is — but they’re also energy-efficient and save money on your heating bill.

If a tankless water heater sounds too good to be true … well, it’s not. There are quite a few things to think about when you’re deciding if one is right for you. However, with a little research and preparation, you can enjoy virtually unlimited hot water while saving money and being energy efficient.

How do Tankless Water Heaters work?

With a tankless water heater, cold water travels to a small heating unit that’s located on the hot water line close to the faucet, shower head or inlet valve on a washer or dishwasher. Once the water reaches the heater, the unit turns on and brings the water up to the temperature you want. When you stop running the water, the unit turns back off automatically.

This is very different from traditional water heaters. With these, dozens of gallons of water sit in a large tank that’s constantly being heated so that they stay warm. If you use too much of that water at once, you start running cold water because there’s no more warm water in the tank. 

Since a tankless water heater heats the water as it reaches the end of the line, the hot water never runs out! It just keeps warming up as it reaches you.

How do tankless water heaters save money?

Tankless water heaters require much less power than tank heaters to do the job. That’s because a traditional heater has to use energy all the time to keep gallons of water warm all the time. A tankless water heater uses energy only when you’re actually running hot water.

In fact, many of these energy-efficient heaters use up to 40 percent less energy than traditional tank heaters. And, the costs can go even further down depending on how you power them. Electric tankless heaters reduce energy bills by about $44 per year compared to tank heaters, while gas ones save around $108. 

Those cost savings can add up after years of using an appliance. Tankless water heaters last around twenty years with proper maintenance, usually twice as long as tanks. Also, since they’re energy-efficient, many gas models qualify you for a $300 federal tax rebate. When you factor in energy savings, rebates, and increased lifespan, it can save you thousands of dollars over the lifetime of the tankless water heater. 

What do I need to consider before buying a tankless water heater?

All the great benefits of tankless water heaters do come at a price — literally. They’re more expensive than traditional tank heaters, and they’re not perfect for every situation. But, with a little knowledge and expert opinions from the Comfort Now Specialists, you can easily find out if one is right for your Jersey Shore Home.

First, let’s look at the cost: a tankless heater can run around $3,000 with the installation. That price is more than the average traditional tank heater, and it can go higher or lower depending on what you need. More on that in a moment.

Next, you need to consider how you use water. If a bunch of people are taking showers in a row, a small tankless heater is great. But, it may not heat enough water at once if someone is washing the dishes or doing laundry while you’re showering. A bigger one may be needed to get the job done. 

Fortunately, there’s a way to figure out what size tankless water heater you’ll need for your home, or even if you want to consider two (they’re much smaller than tanks). All you need to do is figure out how many gallons per minute you would potentially use at once and find a model that pumps out that much hot water.

Don’t worry, that’s a lot easier than it sounds. Each faucet, shower head or appliance lists its GPM on it. Simply add up the GPM’s for every appliance you may use at the same time and match that with the tankless water heater you need to cover them.

On average, a low-flow shower head uses 1.5 GPM and normal ones use 2.5 to three. Most tankless water heaters produce anywhere from two to five GPM. Bigger ones can push out six or nearly 10 GPM. Our Comfort Expert can help you figure this out as well, and will be able to recommend the right size tankless water heater for your home.

It’s a little more to consider than just installing another hot water heater tanker in a basement or closet. But, more and more people are realizing that the energy-efficient tankless water heaters are the way to go. Their long life and cost-saving feature make them worth the investment, and all those hot showers, day after day, are priceless!