There are always pros and cons to any decision. The decisions you make for your home are up to you, but making an informed decision is obviously wise as it impacts your next few decades when it comes to choosing the right water heater.
Today on the blog we want to talk about some of the most important things to consider when choosing between a traditional tank water heater and a more modern tankless water heater. What’s right for someone may not be right for another, but with solid info and insight you can make the best decision for your budget and your family.
Here are a few things to consider when it comes to water heaters.
How Water Heaters Work.
The traditional water heater is what you’ve probably been used to seeing in basements your whole life. The large, cylindrical tank stores and heats water using either gas or electric heating elements. The tank is insulated at the top to keep water warm until you need it. Someone turns on the hot water tap, and water flows from the tank into your plumbing.
The tankless water heater, also known as an “on-demand” water heater essentially only heats water when you need it. It doesn’t store water for when you need it, it heats the water as it passes through the system. This means technically you may not “run out” of hot water reserve, but also it may take longer for the water to heat up. You may also need access to more than one tankless water heater if you have a large family or frequent guests.
How Much Water Heaters Cost.
Traditional water heaters are much less expensive than tankless ones when it comes to installation. The installation process is simpler and doesn’t require as many parts. Traditional water heaters won’t require any complex venting systems which can also increase the upfront installation cost of a tankless water heater. Because tankless water heaters are more complex, they will require a trained specialist to install them and maintain them.
Someone may say that traditional water heaters may require more routine maintenance, but like any appliance the better you take care of it, the longer it will last. They are much easier to install, that don’t require complicated connections, so servicing them can be a lot cheaper as well. They are still more popular, and easier to find and replace when necessary.
Tankless water heaters are certainly known for being more efficient than traditional ones, but when you add it up, a tankless water heater will probably only save you roughly $100 annually. That being said, here in Buffalo when things get chilly, you will see storage tank water heaters need to work harder in the winter, which can drive up gas or electricity costs in the wintertime.
A natural gas traditional water heater will usually use almost 50% less energy than an electric tank water heater, which costs less to operate. When it comes to the efficiency of tankless water heaters it comes down to how much water you are using. If you use a lot of water, you will enjoy less energy efficiency than using less water.
So Which Water Heater to Choose? Tankless or Traditional?
There are no perfect products when it comes to water heaters. Each one has its pros and cons, and it really comes down to your budget. If you have the budget to invest in the latest technology and desire to maintain a bit more energy efficiency, you can go with a tankless water heater.
It’s important to remember the key factors of how much water you use when making this decision. Your utility bills will be slightly higher with a tank water heater, but the cost of maintaining and/or repairing them will certainly be lower on a traditional unit. When in a pinch, it’s probably your best bet to replace a traditional water heater with another traditional tank, as this will be much easier on your wallet. Making the change to tankless would be more of a planned change than a decision when your old unit fails when it’s 20 degrees and you need a solution quickly.
If you would like to learn more, we recommend giving us a call or filling out our contact form to speak with a professional today. We can help you make the best decision possible for your budget and your family. We have years of experience working with water heater installation and maintenance here in Buffalo and are proud of our reputation for being honest and upfront with our customers so they feel confident they made the right decision.
