When you think of the most important feature or use in your home that you can't live without, what things come to mind? Well, having a constant supply of electricity is nice, whether for cooking, watching the tube, or to keep from tripping over your child's toy in the dark. Water is up there, too -- whether it's coming from the kitchen sink, clothes washer, or bathroom shower. But water alone won't suffice -- It's got to be hot.

Hot water is the name of the game and having a constant supply of hot water is essential. Tankless water heaters are growing in popularity throughout the world because of their energy and space-efficient nature. In Britain, tankless models now account for more than half of all domestic water heaters!

To learn why tankless water heaters are the way to go for achieving a continuous flow of hot water in your home, read on for the top 5 reasons to consider the tankless models.

Reason #1 - Continuous flow of hot water

Say goodbye to running out of hot water with the tankless water heater! Because the tankless model is designed to heat water as it flows through the heater there is a never-ending flow of water available. The tankless model is specifically designed to deliver as much as 14.3 gallons of hot water per minute continuously.

Reason #2 - Energy conservation (and money conservation, too!)

The environment and conservation are becoming increasingly important to today's consumer, which is a plus for tankless water heaters. Any water heater expert will tell you that tankless water heaters are energy-efficient. But how does that energy efficiency translate into saving dollars for you? Tankless water heaters can save you more than 50% off a traditional tank water heater's energy costs! Unlike tankless models, tank water heaters can often produce unwanted radiant heat that can cause your air conditioning to work overtime to keep your home cool. Tankless water heaters only heat water when you are using it and do not waste energy. The traditional tank heater contains burners that switch on and off while a pilot light wastes away 24 hours a day.

In addition to the satisfaction of knowing that you are conserving energy, take comfort from the fact that while you owe it to the environment, the federal government owes it to you in the way of tax credit. Homeowners can now get tax credit from the federal government for purchasing energy-efficient applicances. (For more information, please see Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPA)at http://www.energy.gov/taxbreaks.htm) This means that you can get a $300 tax credit just for purchasing and installing a tankless water heater! Additionally, several city governments offer special discounts, financing or rebates for energy-efficient appliance purchases and installation, so check with yours today.

Reason #3 - Less space for tankless model, more space for your home

Space can be a problem for many homeowners. With the tankless water heater, you won't need to worry about finding space to fit the heater in. Because of its uniquely small size, a tankless model can be installed in tight places where the traditional water heater would not otherwise fit. A traditional tank heater must be stored in a space that will support 400-600 pounds. A tankless water heater provides you with that extra space that you can utilize for something else to fit your life better.

Reason #4 - Lasting effect

Replacing appliances can be costly, not to mention a huge time consumption in picking out new models and having to reinstall a new system. With the tankless water heater, you can avoid the frequency of replacing it because it lasts at least twenty years! The average amount of time that a traditional tank heater lasts is anywhere from only 6 to 10 years. Of course, if you ever face a problem with your tankless water heater, you can get it repaired easily, unlike a traditional water heater that usually requires a replacement if a malfunction occurs.

Reason #5 - It costs less!

Owning a tankless water heater can impact your home in more ways than just energy efficiency and durability. The costs of purchasing and installing a tankless water heater in your home can range from $2,100 to $3,800 and will depend on the size of your home and the model that is best for you. With the purchase of a tankless water heater, you can expect it to pay for itself within two to three years!

Yes, tankless IS the way to go

Hot water is a necessity in today's world, so if you can have that continuous flow of hot water while saving money, conserving energy, utilizing space, and owning a long-lasting appliance with the tankless water heater, then why not do it today?