The type of water heater that is best for you is very subjective. The best option depends on your hot water usage and budget. You will need to weigh your options and search for the best fit for your needs. Water heaters are a lengthy investment that will be a part of your home for over 10 years, so taking the time to find the perfect match is crucial for your home. Tankless Experts is always available to assist in your search, but we wanted to provide a source of information to help those who choose to search on their own.
What is the difference between Tankless vs Traditional Water Heaters?
Let’s start off by outlining what tankless and traditional means when it comes to water heaters. Traditional heaters are often also referred to as storage tank water heaters. These heaters work by keeping gallons of water contained in a large storage tank heated to a specified temperature. This water can be used at a moment’s notice. This style of water heater has been the traditional option for most homes. If for some reason you are unsure what type of water heater you have, you probably have a storage tank water heater.
Tankless water heaters are constantly growing in popularity. Tankless models bypass the storage tanks used in traditional water heaters and opt for the approach of heating water on demand. Tankless heaters utilize a heating element that heats water to temperature as it passes through the system instead of keeping a supply of water preheated.
When we compare tankless vs traditional water heaters there are 4 main factors we should consider:
- Price
- Performance
- Life Span
Each of these factors is important to consider when in the market for a new water heater. Let’s break down each of these and see what option best meets your needs.
Price of Tankless and Traditional Water Heaters
Money is the motivation for all major purchases and water heaters are not exempt. The main cost aspects we need to consider are the general operating costs and the price of the unit and installation. Both of these factors a unique to both of the water heaters options. Let’s take a look at the operating costs of each unit first.
Operating costs are the amount of money each unit will cost month to month to provide your home with hot water. These costs are directly correlated to energy costs. The biggest draw to tankless water heaters is their advantage of lower operating costs. Tankless water heaters are much more energy efficient and therefore will have lower energy bills throughout their lifetime. Because of the design used by tank-style water heaters, they waste money with their standby energy loss. Energy wasted by keeping the tank up to temperature at any time of the day results in higher utility bills.
The price of tankless units and traditional units tips back in the favor of traditional when it comes to the average price of the unit and installation cost. Tankless units have a higher cost for purchasing the unit and installation. The technology and design of tankless units are much more complex increasing the cost of production that is passed on to the consumer. Traditional units are a much simpler build and therefore cheaper to initially purchase. Tankless heaters also have higher installation costs when making the swap from traditional as your home’s water system may need some extra work.
Tankless vs Traditional Water Heater Performance
Next, we will break down which heater options best meet your home’s unique needs. It is important to reflect on how you utilize hot water within your home. How often do I use hot water? How much water do I need at any one given time? These a some of the questions that need to be answered.
Traditional water heaters are best suited for homes that use hot water periodically throughout the day. In order for them to run most efficiently, your home needs to require hot water several times a day with breaks in between. Homes that require large amounts of hot water at one time or have long periods of time between hot water usage are not ideal for conventional water heaters.
Tankless water heaters are the more all-around option when it comes to having better performance. They are great for homes with large or small hot water demands. Because they heat water on demand, they can provide endless hot water while at the same time being the best option for homes that use hot water sparingly. The only downside of tankless units is the increased time it will take for hot water to reach your faucet. This increased time is due to the heating element requiring time to heat enough to warm the water.
Life Span of Tankless and Traditional Water Heaters
When making any large purchase for your home. it is important to understand the life expectancy of the item you are buying. There is a large difference in the lifespan of tankless and traditional units. Traditional heaters have a shorter lifespan than their tankless cousins. The tank used in their operation is a common source of corrosion and causes them to break down earlier. Tankless units boast an average lifespan of 20+ year useful life. The smaller amount of time exposed to heat and lack of constantly storing water makes the unit much easier to maintain and long-lasting.
When it comes to finding the right tankless water heater solution for your situation, trust the industry leaders. Tankless Experts is dedicated to offering informed advice, an affordable water heater option, and solutions based on your unique needs. We carry and service various types of tankless water heaters capable of covering and size room or home. Contact us today for more information and a free, no-obligation estimate!