Getting the right water heater is important. You’ll probably be living with it for an average of 10 years, which is how long they tend to last. So do your research before you replace or upgrade your old one. You’ll want to take into consideration things like cost, longevity, efficiency and type when scouting for a new one. While you might want a tankless hot water heater, there are many reasons why a tank storage water heater might be better. It really depends on your needs.
What Is A Tankless Water Heater?
Tankless water heaters utilize high-powered burns to quickly heat your home’s water as it goes through a heat exchanger before it delivers it to your shower or faucets. The water is not stored in the tank, which is why these are also known as “on-demand” water heaters. They’re powered by gas or electricity and are a bit more energy efficient than storage tank models that are powered by gas.
What Is A Tank Storage Water Heater?
A tank storage water heater is very common and found in most homes. These tanks hold about 30-50 gallons of water (depending on the model) and will heat the water and store it until it’s needed. A pipe from the top of the tank then delivers water to whatever room it’s needed. Storage-tank water heaters use either electricity or natural gas (which use less energy than the electric kind).
Tankless Advantages
There are many reasons why you might want to get a tankless water heater. For starters, it saves you money in the long run since you’ll use less hot water over time. No more letting the water run waiting for it to turn hot. Plus, they last longer than traditional storage tank water heaters, so you won’t have to replace it as often. These water heaters can last up to 30 years (however hard water can reduce the life of any water heater). They’re small and can be installed in really tight spaces, whereas the storage tank heaters are big and bulky. You’ll also have water whenever you need it.
Tankless Drawbacks
Although there are many advantages, tankless water heaters have a larger up-front cost, plus installation can be a lot, especially if you’re switching over from a storage tank unit. Doing multiple hot-water tasks at once can also over-tax a tankless heater. Taking showers and doing laundry at the same time, for instance, your tankless heater may not be able to keep up with the demand.
If you’re not planning on staying in your home for more than ten years, it may not make sense to pay more for a tankless unit that will last until long after you’ve gone. In this case, a standard tank heater makes more sense.
If you need help deciding what kind of heater to install, call Landa Plumbing anytime for guidance and professional installation of the right heater for you.