Plumber Knows Best

Are increasingly popular new products like the tankless water heater and the hot water recirculation system right for your home?

By: Jill Becker

Okay, be honest, who of you out there doesn't enjoy a good long hot bath? Yeah, that's what we thought. Even you macho guys had to raise your hands. Besides, all you have to do is look at new home construction to see how much bigger and fancier bathtubs have gotten in the last few years. Whirlpool tubs large enough to hold a small village are practically a standard fixture in master baths today.

Thing is, filling up that big ol' tub takes a lot of hot water. And to heat up all that water requires a lot of energy. Especially when you consider that it can take a good eight to 10 seconds before the water in the tap even starts to get warm.

Enter the tankless water heater and the hot water recirculating system. Both relatively new on the market, they are becoming increasingly popular when it comes to helping homeowners battle their bath time — and general household water usage — woes. But as with any new plumbing product or application, it's best to consult a professional and consider the advantages and disadvantages of each one before you buy. We talked with a handful of Mr. Rooter franchisees and offer you this preliminary guide.

Tankless Water Heaters
Also known as on-demand water heaters, tankless water heaters are quite common in Europe and Asia, but are fairly new to American homes. They work by electronically controlling the temperature of the water, so you're only heating the water you're using when you're using it rather than heating a huge reservoir of water 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

"Tankless technology is a big change in the way water is heated, and its benefits are endless," says James Fusco, service manager at Mr. Rooter in Manchester, New Hampshire. "To start, tankless water heaters have a longer lifespan than conventional water heaters. Plus, there's no tank to corrode and leak, and no tank to store dissolved minerals that create unsightly rusty water."

On top of that, their small size and the fact that they're wall-mounted allow them to be installed any number of places in your home, unlike those 40-gallon tanks that weigh more than 500 pounds and take up valuable square footage. Tankless water heaters can also be installed closer to the major points of use, meaning less pipe is needed to get the water from the source to the faucet, which results in reduced running times for hot water.

That reduced run time, and more importantly, the fact that you're only paying to heat water when you need it, is the main draw of tankless water heaters. "Expected operating costs for a tankless water heater are as much as a third of the cost of a similar tank-type water heater," says Fusco.

The major downside is that if you have a busy household, and commonly use things like the shower, dishwasher, and washing machine at the same time, you may run out of hot water with just one unit. Another drawback is the cost. You'll pay more for the tankless heater upfront than you would for a standard water heater (anywhere from $500 to more than $1,000 versus $300). Plus, installation is virtually impossible on your own and the unit requires professional maintenance every two to five years.

Hot Water Recirculating Systems
This handy device is all about keeping you in hot water. By constantly moving heated water through your pipes, it eliminates any waiting time for the water to warm up when you turn on the tap. "Americans don't like to wait for anything," acknowledges Christopher "Boo" White, the owner of a Mr. Rooter franchise in Bozeman, Montana. "It's the difference between a few seconds and a few minutes. So it's a comfort. We probably install recirculating pumps in 40 percent of the new homes we do."

But instant hot water is more than just a luxury. It can also save you as much as 12,000 gallons of water a year. Which is not only environmentally friendly, but checkbook friendly as well when it's time to pay your water bill. A recirculating system does, however, use a lot of energy, because the water has to be frequently reheated and because there's a pump that runs constantly. Adding timers and temperature sensors to reduce the circulation time can cut down on the amount of energy used, but the savings on your water bill versus your slightly padded electric bill may still turn out to be a wash.

You will save money, though, on installation and maintenance. A recirculating system can be added to your existing water heater, rather than installing an entirely new system like the tankless water heater, and is relatively cheap to put in, generally running you between $400 and $600 versus the pricier initial crunch of upgrading to an on-demand water heater. Plus, once it's there, it's relatively maintenance free.

Weighing the Pros and Cons
As you can see, there are advantages and disadvantages to both the tankless water heater and hot water recirculating system. So talk to your Mr. Rooter technician and find out what's best for you and your home. Whatever you end up with, just think about how wonderful your next long, hot bath will be.

Jill Becker is an Atlanta-based freelance writer and editor. Ironically, she never gets cold, and rarely turns her thermostat above 65.