Tankless or Traditional: Which water heater must you pick for your house?

Over time, more and more water heater types are becoming available in the market. However, the choice between tankless or traditional water heater types becomes overwhelming sometimes. The fact is truer when you know little about these water heater types.

The choice typically depends on various factors, including your hot water needs, energy consumption, unit lifespan, etc. So, here in this article, we will quickly compare tankless and traditional water heater types to see which is right for your needs.

Tankless water heater

The tankless water heater doesn’t store hot water. Instead, a tankless water heater uses heat to instantly warm your cold water. These water heaters start heating your water on-demand rather than storing preheated water in their tank.

Traditional Water heater

The traditional water heater is a type that can store and preheat up to 50 water gallons in its tank. You can use this preheated water whenever you need it. Once the tank is empty, you can refill and reheat water in the traditional water heater.

Tankless or Traditional: What do you need to know?

Selecting the right water heater types can make a huge difference here. So, learn everything about tankless and traditional water heater types here to make a better decision:

·  Energy Consumption

Tankless water heaters are famous for their energy efficiency because they only heat water as needed. A tankless heater activates and heats the water only when you turn your hot water tap on. This approach eliminates the standby heat loss that occurs with traditional heaters.

While traditional heaters maintain a reservoir of hot water in a tank, traditional water heaters require constant heating to maintain the set temperature. Consequently, it consumes more energy.

·  Initial and operating costs

A tankless water heater’s initial setup cost is higher due to the advanced technology and installation requirements. However, it can help you save a lot in operating costs.

On the other hand, traditional heaters have a lower upfront cost. In addition, these are easier to install and typically require less modification to existing infrastructure, but their operational costs are higher comparatively.

·  Equipment Lifespan

Tankless water heaters usually have a longer lifespan. Proper water heater maintenance can stay with you for about 20 years. This longevity can offset the higher initial investment over time.

On the other hand, traditional heaters typically last around 10-15 years. You may also need to allocate a specific budget for frequent replacements for traditional water heaters.

·  Repair or Replacement

While tankless water heaters are durable, repairs can be more complex and potentially costly. It is mainly because tankless water heaters contain intricate electronics and plumbing components. However, as these water heaters typically have longer lifespans, they usually require fewer replacement instances.

Repairs for traditional heaters are usually simpler and less expensive. It is because they involve basic components such as thermostats and heating elements. However, the shorter lifespan may lead to more frequent replacements.

·  Space requirements for placement

Tankless water heaters are compact and typically wall mounted. Therefore, these can help in saving valuable floor space. So, you can easily install these even in smaller locations.

In contrast, traditional heaters require a dedicated storage tank, which can take up a significant space in your home. Installation can be challenging if the space in your home is limited.

Verdict: Which of the water heater types is right for you?

Choosing which water heater type is right for you depends on your household needs and specific requirements. For instance, if lower upfront costs, quick hot water availability, and unit simplicity are preferable, you can choose a traditional water heater. However, a tankless water heater can better fit you if you prefer lower energy consumption and a longer unit lifespan. If you need immediate help choosing the right water heater type, gve us a call at (818) 282-5846