Educating customers on tankless water heaters isn’t always easy, but it’s always worth it. For decades, traditional water heater tanks have reigned supreme in homes and buildings across the country. Over recent years, however, tankless water heater options have increased in popularity, starting a market share takeover. 

As PHCP Pros states in its 2021 Tankless Water Heater Report (bit.ly/3EOjzTF), “the tankless water heater market size will see incremental growth and is expected to grow through 2024.” 

And as tankless water heater awareness gains traction, so do the economical and operational benefits available for both homes and businesses. 

But even with the rise in adoption of tankless water heaters, there are still many purchasers who question the benefits tankless water heaters provide in residential and/or commercial sectors. 

Quick tips 

To combat some of those inquiries, and to ensure your customers are being provided the best possible hot water solution, here are five quick and helpful tips that can educate and encourage clientele towards tankless. 

Unlimited: By using tankless, hot water is always available, where and when customers need it. Tankless units don’t rely on hot water storage nor having to refill an empty tank before the on-demand hot water becomes available. A tankless unit heats hot water when activated, so customers never have to choose between taking a hot shower, doing a load of laundry or running the dishwasher. 

Compact: One tankless unit is about the size of a carry-on suitcase, creating the ability to fit in smaller storage spaces like closets, cabinets or mechanical rooms. Its compactness, in comparison to tanks, is a huge benefit for businesses and homes, creating more work or living space. Think of the space savings when businesses need multiple units. 

Efficient: The Uniform Energy Factor rates tankless water heaters as a highly efficient hot water appliance, providing energy savings that benefit both a customer’s pocketbook and the environment simultaneously. Due to the tankless design, it only runs when hot water is needed, compared to a tank, which is always running to keep hot water hot, minimizing useless waste. 

Durable: Overall, tankless water heaters tend to be easier to repair than tanks, usually eliminating the need to replace a tank unit, which can save customers a significant amount of money in the long run. And many tankless products offer extended, comprehensive warranties, providing further savings on replacements if needed. 

Convenient: Accessories like room motion sensors and push-buttons can be connected via Wi-Fi to help make hot water instantly available. These conveniences allow units to be controlled via smartphone or voice-controlled applications, providing scheduling and on demand recirculation capabilities. This is especially helpful for businesses with true peak periods throughout the day, allowing them to schedule the amount of hot water needed at any given time. And the added Wi-Fi benefit can help customers keep an eye on usage or whether a unit may need additional repair services. 

When your next customer needs to replace a hot water tank, it’s a good time to educate them on the efficiency and economic benefits of a tankless water heater. These conversations will help build trust with your clients, grow your business and even increase profit.    

David Federico is senior director of marketing for Rinnai America Corp.