Tankless or Hybrid: The Pros and Cons of these types of Electric Water Heaters 

If you’re in the market for a new electric water heater there are some incredible options for you.  Of course, you have your traditional tank. But if you are looking for a more efficient electric water heater without breaking the bank, you’re in luck.  Maybe you’re just looking to upgrade from your tank style electric water heater? There are so many options on the market but which one is best fit for your home? Are you looking for efficiency and a cost effective water heater? Do you have a large family? How many bathrooms are in your home. Are you tired of being left with cold water for morning showers? 

Well, the tankless electric water heater or the electric hybrid water heater might be two of the best options for you!

Pros of an Hybrid water heater 

Federal Tax Rebate up to $2,000.00 2023-2032 

Save up to $450.00 year on electricity due to energy efficiency. 

Cons of a Hybrid water heater  

Upfront cost  

Custom installations 

Space concerns  

 

ELECTRIC HYBRID WATER HEATERS 

An electric hybrid water heater brings in heat from ambient air in the area. The tank uses a pump and coil system to convert that heat to hot water. By taking from the air around the tank instead of creating the heat itself, electric hybrid water heaters have the lowest operating costs in warmer climates.  This type of water heater can be incredible for cooler climates. Also, with the hybrid option, meaning, when it is below 36 degrees the water heater will convert to a straight electric-style water heater. That conversion does not change its performance. With the hybrid option, the water heater will still perform, providing hot water for your family.  

Electric hybrid water heaters can be a little more expensive to install than traditional water heaters. However, a great advantage to having a hybrid water heater is the long-term savings on energy costs. The new Federal Tax rebate on hybrid water heaters can very quickly reimburse you for the upgrade expense of converting to a hybrid water heater while the water heater continues to save you money on your electric bills.

The heat pump on the hybrid water heater requires 1,000 cubic feet to operate, so if you are limited on space or trying to free up space a hybrid electric water heater might not be the best option for you.  Hybrid water heaters require enough air around them to draw the heat from.  If your current water heater is inside your home and in a confined space like a closet, a hybrid water heater may not be the best option without modifications to the door.  Hybrid water heaters also require a condensation line for the heat pump.  If there is not a code-compliant place to run your condensate line, pumps can be installed to accommodate but a hybrid may be a more expensive choice than you realize to run correctly, and safely.  

 

Pros of an Electric Tankless Water Heater  

Space savings, most units are about the size of a suitcase. 

Endless hot Water.  

Longer Expected lifespan for many models 

 

Cons of an Electric Tankless Water Heater

Upfront cost 

There is no Federal Tax Rebate 

Limited gallons per minute 

Upgrades to an electrical system 

 

ELECTRIC TANKLESS WATER HEATERS 

An electric tankless water heater is what is considered an on-demand heating option for water. So unlike a tank-style water heater where your tank heats the water to the desired temperature and stores it in a tank until it is needed, a tankless water heater heats the water on demand to the desired temperature without storing it.  

One of the best features of an electric tankless water heater is the on-demand heating. Because it heats the water on-demand the unit will never run out of hot water. For those of us who have a large family that means you will never have to worry about cold showers again! Another great advantage of having a tankless water heater is the significant space that you will save compared to a traditional or hybrid tank-style water heater.  

The con of an electrical tankless water heater can be the limited gallons per minute. Depending on the grand and the power that the tankless uses, tankless electric water heaters can produce a limited amount of gallons per minute due to the high electricity demand. This can mean for some units as little as one shower running at a time before the demand is too great, for other units they can handle up to 3 showers at a time.  

Tankless units can also require upgrades to your electrical system to accommodate the high, and instant demand. Tankless electric units that can run more than one fixture will require an upgrade to a standard electrical system. This isn’t the end of the world, but it is something to consider when choosing your options.  

Both the tankless electric water heater and the electric hybrid water heater have pros and cons, it just depends on what fits your needs, home, and family best. 

Services in Phoenix & Beyond

When you’ve found yourself in need of plumbing services in the Phoenix, Glendale, Scottsdale, or Chandler area, you can trust Robins Plumbing to provide you with prompt and expert care, contact our team today! In addition to our toilet services, we also offer a variety of residential and commercial plumbing services, including drain cleaning, water heater repair and replacement, sewer camera inspection and locating, backflow prevention, commercial and residential jetting, water treatments, and more. Visit our reviews online to see what others have to say about our local plumbing company!