If you’re in the market for a new water heater, there are a lot of things you should consider. One of the decisions you can make that will get you well on your way to finding the right water heater is whether you want a tank or tankless system. While tankless water heaters are the best choice for some homes, others would be better off with a tank.
What factors should you weigh when you make your choice? Here are some of the major features of tankless systems and how those can be pros or cons depending on your situation.
Size
A tank water heater, sometimes called a storage water heater, constantly stores 40 to 80 gallons of water or more. A tank this large takes up a lot of space. Tankless heaters don’t keep any hot water on hand. They simply heat it as it is called for. With no tank, they hardly take up any room. In a small home, this could be a big selling point.
Energy
How can you decrease your utility bills without decreasing your quality of life? Storage water heaters constantly use energy to keep a large amount of water at a consistently high temperature. Tankless water heaters only use energy when you use hot water. Depending on the amount of hot water you use, the Department of Energy calculates that you can cut the amount of energy used for heating water by up to a third.
Supply
This feature is a pro in some situations and a con in others. With a storage water heater, the tank’s hot water supply can be used up by a particularly long hot shower. There is a period when there simply isn’t hot water, as the tank has had to refill with cold water and begin the heating process again.
A tankless system is different. The flow rate of various models can be as low as two gallons per minute or as high as five. The hot water supply will never be “used up,” but if you are calling for more hot water at one time than it can provide, the water won’t feel hot enough. This can happen with multiple people showering at once, or from the use of the washing machine and dishwasher at the same time, and is much more likely to happen in a larger household with more than four members.
Cost
The simple fact is that tankless systems are more expensive than storage water heaters. The cost of installation can be higher as well, particularly if you are switching from a tank to a tankless system and modifications need to be made to the gas line or water pipes. If the initial investment is your biggest concern, a tank water heater is a more affordable option. However, if you have the option of considering the long-term cost, that efficiency will add up. And it will keep adding up because while a storage water heater may work well for ten years or so, a tankless system can last for up to 25.
If you need water heater service in Orlando or if you have any questions about whether tank or tankless is the best choice for your home, we’d love to hear from you.
Contact Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. today and reach professionals with the training and experience your home deserves.