Comparison of Tankless And Tank Water Heaters: Which One is The Best For You?
When you are looking to upgrade or install a new water heater in your home, the first thing to consider is whether your home will work well with a tankless or tank-type water heater. Both have pros and cons, but one might fit your household better than the other. If you’re reading this, you’ve probably already done some research on what is the best type of water heater for your home. You might have even read that a tankless water heater is the best option. But why? What makes them so great? Which one should you buy? Let’s find out!
What is a Tankless Water Heater?
A tankless water heater is a system that heats your water as soon as you turn on a faucet. You’re probably thinking, “But what about the other faucets in my house?” Well, this is a really important thing to note about tankless water heaters – they don’t store hot water! The water is heated on demand and is only hot enough to meet the demand of the current flow. They are designed to only heat the amount of water for the current use and nothing extra. This saves energy and reduces the amount of maintenance needed on the unit.
Tankless Water Heater Benefits
- Less maintenance needed: Tankless water heaters have less parts and less maintenance than a tank water heater. Because they don’t store hot water, there is less risk of corrosion and buildup. They also don’t have a tank to clean or rust in.
- Increased efficiency: One of the biggest benefits of a tankless water heater is its efficiency. Tank-type water heaters are incredibly inefficient, and they account for 18% of all energy usage in American households. A tankless water heater uses less power to heat water, which translates to reduced energy costs for homeowners. Tankless water heaters are about 60% more efficient than tank-type water heaters.
- Compact design: Unlike a tank-type water heater, a tankless water heater has a very small footprint. It is mounted on the wall and doesn’t take up a lot of space. Tankless water heaters have a very small storage capacity, so they don’t need a lot of room.
- Home value increase: One of the best reasons to install a tankless water heater is that it increases the value of your home! Potential buyers will love the extra space and low maintenance of a tankless unit.
- No waiting for the tank to reheat: And perhaps the most obvious benefit of a tankless water heater is that once it starts heating water you'll have a near endless supply of hot water. Now after Jimmy's 45 minute shower there will still be enough hot water to go around for you!
When to use a Tankless Water Heater
A tankless water heater is perfect if you have a small household with one or two people and a couple of showers running at any one time. You might also want to consider a tankless water heater if you rent your home or if you live in a condo or townhouse. If you have a larger household with lots of showers running at once, then you will probably want to go with a tank water heater. It’s also important to consider the length of your water lines. If they are only a few feet long, then a tankless water heater could work well for you.
What is a Tank Water Heater?
A tank water heater stores water in a large tank before distributing it throughout your home. It is best for households with three or more people who are running multiple showers or bathtubs at once. You’ll often find tank water heaters in large businesses, like factories and offices, where many people use the water at one time. There are two ways to go about this. You can have one large tank water heater for the entire house, or you can have one for each floor. A large tank water heater will have a larger storage tank, which means it can provide more hot water. That’s why you’ll often find a large tank water heater in a large household.
Tank Water Heater Benefits
- Shorter wait times: The most obvious benefit of a tank-type water heater is that you don’t have to wait long for the water to be hot. You can turn the faucet on and have hot water almost immediately. You can’t do this with a tankless water heater because it needs time to heat the water.
- More storage capacity: Tank-type water heaters have larger storage capacities than tankless water heaters. This makes them a better choice if you have a large household or need to run appliances that use a lot of water, like a washing machine or dishwasher.
- Cheaper than tankless water heaters: Tank water heaters are often less expensive than tankless water heaters.
When to use a traditional tank water heater?
You should consider a large tank water heater if you have a larger household that uses a lot of water at once as tank water heaters simply provide more upfront hot water. If you want a more traditional design, a tank-type water heater is probably the best option. They come in a variety of sizes, so you can find one that meets the needs of your household.
Cost Comparison
The upfront cost of a tankless water heater is higher than the cost of a tank-type water heater. If you consider the lifetime cost of each water heater, though, they are very similar. Over the lifetime of a water heater, you can expect to pay around $13,000 for a tankless water heater and around $12,000 for a tank-type water heater. The biggest difference between the two water heater types is the initial investment. You can expect to pay $2,500 to $3,300 for a small tankless water heater and $1,500 to $3,000 for a small tank-type water heater.
Conclusion: Which One Should You Buy?
When deciding on a water heater type, it is important to consider the amount of water your household consumes, the number of people living there, and your budget. If you have a small household, then a tankless water heater is most likely the best option for you. If you have a larger household, then a tank water heater is best.
Let Us Help!
Need help installing a water heater or have more questions about which type to get? Give Lujan Plumbing a call at 210-694-1325. We'd be happy to help you out!