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None of us like to get only part of the story. But that’s what can happen when you have a lot of options to choose from for home appliances.
Matt Risinger, a homebuilder in Austin, Texas, and a trusted expert in his field, sets the facts straight on some common misconceptions about propane tankless water heaters.
Myth 1: Tankless Water Heaters are Too Expensive
Upgrading to a tankless water heater may add a bit to the cost of a project. But for Risinger, the trade-offs inherent in stepping down to an entry-level tank aren’t worth the small savings.
“They’re not super efficient, you’re going to run out of hot water at least on an occasional basis, and they’re only going to last 10 years or so before you’ve got to get a replacement,” he says. “For not that much money, you’re going to step up to all the benefits of tankless, as well as the limitless hot water and the greater efficiency, which is a big deal. And typically double the life of the product.”
Myth 2: Tankless Requires Natural Gas
Propane tankless water heaters offer the same features as those fueled by natural gas. That’s important for Risinger, who frequently utilizes propane even for projects only 15 to 20 minutes outside of downtown Austin.
“There are still lots of builders in more rural areas who are using electric tanks and don’t necessarily think about propane tankless just because it’s not as common, it’s not as talked about.” But switching from two or three electric tanks to space-saving propane tankless units could free up a large amount of space in a garage or utility room, an important consideration when every square foot of space is at a premium.
