Do you need a new water heater? Should you get the traditional tank storage or a tankless unit? There are pros and cons to both, so it really depends on what you want to spend on the unit and your preference. Five Star Plumbing can help you decide. Here are some differences between the two options, but keep in mind both are good choices.
Tankless Water Heater Advantages
Although the initial installation is more expensive, a tankless water heater will save you money in the end. The average American home doesn’t use more than 41 gallons of hot water daily, and Energy.gov reports that a tankless unit is up to 34 percent more energy efficient. You’ll realize the installation cost in reduced energy bills and extended life. Tankless heaters can last as long as 30 years.
Tankless heaters are smaller, too, so you can use the space where your older tank water heater was for storage. In fact, if you’d prefer, the tankless unit can be installed outside. Tankless units also deliver hot water immediately and as long as you need it. They don’t run out of heated water because they warm the water as it passes through the system rather than store and heats it in a tank.
Storage (Tank) Water Heater Advantages
You’ll save a ton of money at the get-go if you choose to install a tank heater rather than go tankless. By comparison, a new storage water heater installation will set you back on average $500 to $800, whereas a tankless system can cost as much as $4,500 to purchase and install. The tank water heaters are also less expensive to maintain because they’re just a simpler design.
This said, they use more energy, so you will not realize the cost-savings over time than you would if you installed a tankless system. If everyone in your family loves to relax in long, hot showers, you might find your energy bills shoot through the roof, and your hot water runs out with a tank system. Lifestyle comes into play when you install a tank water heater. If you don’t use a lot of hot water, this system is just fine.
If you still aren’t sure which system works better for your household, contact San Antonio, TX‘s own Five Star Plumbing. We’d be happy to discuss your hot water needs with you and determine the best water heater for your home.
