If you’ve ever had a shower abruptly turn cold, you know the frustration that comes with a traditional water tank. Standard water heaters store a large volume of water and constantly reheat it, leading to annoying hot water shortages and unnecessarily high utility bills.
This is a major problem, but there is a dependable solution. The Tankless Water Heater, also known as an on-demand system, is a modern upgrade that has become extremely popular for homeowners and businesses in Knoxville. At Hard Knox Plumbing, we specialize in professional Tankless Water Heater installation, offering you a way to ditch the tank and enjoy efficiency and comfort.
Here is why switching to a tankless system is one of the smartest investments you can make in your property.
The Hidden Cost of Your Standard Water Heater
Why do you run out of hot water? It’s simple: a standard water heater holds a fixed amount of hot water. Once that reserve is used up, you must wait for the tank to slowly refill and reheat.
Worse, even when you aren’t using hot water, the tank is still using energy to keep that water warm, this is called “standby heat loss,” and it wastes your money 24/7. This constant reheating is the biggest difference between the two systems and the reason your utility bills are higher than they need to be.
5 Best Reasons to Upgrade to a Tankless Water Heater in Knoxville
Upgrading to an on-demand system solves this waste and frustration immediately.
1. Endless Hot Water, Instantly
This is the feature people love most. A tankless unit heats water only as it flows through the system. This means your hot water supply is continuous. You can run the washing machine, the dishwasher, and take back-to-back showers without ever worrying about that sudden cold shock. This is crucial for busy households and businesses with high, simultaneous demand.
2. Great Savings on Your Energy Bill
Since a tankless unit only uses energy when you turn on the hot water tap, it eliminates standby heat loss entirely. This efficiency can translate into energy savings of 8% to 34%, especially for properties that use less hot water daily. For a property owner in Knoxville, that difference shows up clearly on your monthly utility bills, making the upgrade a wise financial move over time.
3. Double the Lifespan, Zero Flood Risk
Standard water heaters often last 10 to 15 years before the tank starts corroding, risking a catastrophic flood that can cause thousands of dollars in property damage. Tankless water heaters, with proper maintenance, routinely last 20 years or more. Without a large tank storing 40+ gallons, the risk of a basement flood from a rusty tank failure is essentially removed, giving you unmatched peace of mind.
4. Free Up Valuable Space
Tanks are bulky. They take up valuable space in a closet, garage, or basement. A tankless unit is compact, often about the size of a small suitcase, and mounts directly onto a wall. Homeowners gain back storage space, and businesses can repurpose utility rooms for more productive uses.
5. Cleaner Water for Your Family
Because traditional tanks store water, they can accumulate rust, sediment, and even bacteria over time. A tankless heater bypasses this issue entirely by heating only fresh, clean water that flows directly from your municipal supply. For properties also utilizing water filtration systems, this combination ensures the cleanest water possible.
Time for the Upgrade? What to Expect in Knoxville
Making the switch requires precision and skill to do correctly.
While the advantages are clear, Tankless Water Heater installation is more complex than replacing a standard tank. It often requires specific venting and sometimes an upgrade to your gas or electrical lines. Our skilled Knoxville plumber team is fully trained and certified to handle these intricacies, making sure your new unit is installed safely and efficiently, maximizing its long-term performance.
To make the upgrade affordable right away, Hard Knox Plumbing offers flexible financing options. Don’t wait for your old unit to fail; invest in endless hot water now.
FAQs
Do tankless heaters work with hard water in Knoxville?
Yes, tankless heaters work well with hard water, but the minerals found in Knoxville’s water supply can cause scale buildup inside the unit. To maintain peak efficiency and prevent failure, the unit must be professionally flushed and descaled annually. This is a crucial maintenance step we provide.
Can one unit handle multiple showers running at once?
When installed correctly, yes. The main point is proper sizing. Before installation, our plumbers calculate your home’s peak hot water demand to recommend a unit with a high enough flow rate to support multiple fixtures without temperature drops.
Do I need a professional flush for maintenance?
Yes. Unlike a standard tank, tankless heaters should be flushed annually by a professional. This service removes mineral buildup (scale) inside the unit’s heat exchanger. Skipping this step can void your warranty and greatly shorten the lifespan of your unit.
How much space is actually saved by going tankless?
A typical 40-gallon storage tank requires about 12 to 16 square feet of floor space. A tankless unit is often mounted flat against a wall, taking up less than 4 square feet of wall space. This difference can free up valuable closet space in a smaller home or utility room.