Tank & Tankless Water Heater Differences You Were Never Told
So, you’re ready to get rid of the old water heater but you’re a bit confused about whether to choose a tank or a tankless water heater. Although both have their pros and cons it’s all about what’s right for you. All water heaters out there have a limited life, so during your homeownership, at one point in your life, you have to go through this phase of water heater replacement.
Water heaters are a hefty investment and thus one must fully examine all the pros and cons of tankless and traditional water heaters in order to make a well-informed decision. Following are the overviewed pros and cons of both the types of water heaters. This is to help you decide which one to equip your new home with, or replace your old water heater.
Difference Between the Storage-Tank Water Heater and Tankless Water Heater
If you’re a newbie and don’t know the basic difference between the two types; here’s the kicker. Tankless water heaters are instant water heaters that utilize power source as soon as you turn on the faucet, unlike traditional water storage heaters that require a big tank of hot water in the basement.
Storage tank water heaters are the most common type while tankless are gaining popularity owing to the energy efficiency and associated money savings. The prior type has standby energy losses and with that, you have to pay to store a huge tank of hot water even when you’re at work or are sleeping at night.
Tankless Water Heaters –an Energy-Efficient Choice
As the name implies, on-demand water heaters don’t store water in a storage tank. Instead, they’re equipped with high-powered burners that rapidly heat water as it runs through a heat exchanger coil and delivers it directly to the faucet or shower without the need to store in a tank.
Overall, tankless water heaters are energy efficient. But the efficiency depends on your frequency of hot water usage i.e. if you require lesser hot water around 40-50 gallons your energy efficiency would be 24 to 34 percent but if you use lots of hot water around 80 gallons, you can enjoy additional 8 to 10 percent energy efficiency.
So, these tankless water heaters are ideal for larger families or for people who have guests to stay frequently. If you require frequent hot water draws you can install a couple of such heaters in parallel. Tankless water heaters are easier to install due to a smaller footprint. They just mount on your wall and you don’t have to get some spot in your basement utility area.
Most of these models are made with state-of-the-art technologies so they are less likely to flood and have a longer working lifespan i.e. twice as long as the traditional water heater with a tank. The maintenance is much easier but you have got to do its maintenance at least once a year.
When Should You Get the Tankless Water Heater?
Tankless water heaters come with a hefty price tag i.e. around $4,500 to $8,500. So, you should get the tankless model only if you plan to stay in your home for many years to come, you love an eco-friendly lifestyle, and you have a lot of people in your family. This model is ideal if you ‘re away from your home a lot as you won’t be paying to heat water you aren’t using.
Water Heaters With Tank
Aside from higher purchase cost, tankless water heaters have a higher installation cost when you’re replacing your traditional storage-tank water heater a tankless-type.
The plumber/installer will take more time replacing it because of the complexity of relocating existing piping. It requires a plumbing retrofit and possibly an upgrade to your electric services or gas lines to increase power capacity.
In contrast, a storage water heater has a lower initial cost by a significant margin. It just costs you about $1500 to $2800 instead. Because of simple functionality, these water heaters are easy to repair and the repair cost is way lower. This traditional water heater tank is ideal if you’re low on your budget and you’ve only a few family members.
You should also get this water heater if you don’t plan to stay in your home in the long term. Although many modern models of this type are much more energy-efficient still they are no match with the tankless type. The thermostat preset on a temperature level will keep the temperature of water at that level even while you’re sleeping.
So, it will increase your overall utility bills. They’ll work harder in winter months and so you have to face even higher bills during the cold winter. Storage type water tanks have a shorter useful life and after 10 years you should get ready to buy and install a new model to avoid annoyance in the middle of winters.
Why Should You Only Hire a Licensed Plumber for Water Heaters?
Whether you’re going to buy a traditional water heater or a tankless type, installing a water heater is never a DIY project. It’s an advanced and specialized task that requires years of experience to undertake without a hazard.
With all the complexities and complications of playing around a gas line, electric supply line, and plumbing issues; installing a water heater is not like other DIY projects you’ll love doing.
Initially, you may be tempted to try the DIY-route because of potential savings, but in the long run, you can put yourself in danger. You can void the warranty of your newly purchased unit and you may have to pay even more in case you end up with serious problems. So, unless you’re a licensed plumber, leave this off to the pros.
Hire a plumber and let them do this job in the right manner. Although you have to spend on the plumber’s time but it’s way better than spending your time and potentially costing you more money in repairs after an incorrect installation.
About American Eagle Plumbing
With honest quality work, American Eagle Plumbing provides all their neighbors plumbing and water heater services. They will never lose respect for your time, home, investment, and piece of mind. This is given within their 100% satisfaction guarantee, which is thoroughly reflected in the company’s reputation with the Better Business Bureau.