Tankless or Tanked Water Heater: Which is Best for Me?

For decades, the only option for water heaters was the old standard – the tank system. Now you have the option to go tankless. How do you know which is best for you? Let’s take a look at some of the features of tankless or tanked water heater systems.

Tank System

A traditional water heater consists of a tank that holds 30-50 gallons that heats water and stores it until you turn on the hot water faucet.

Pros:

• Inexpensive to buy and install, usually between $500-800
• They’re easy to replace
• Newer models are much more energy-efficient than older versions

Cons:

• A large amount of space is required
• They use energy keeping the water in the tank warm whether you’re using it or not
• They can run out of hot water and take time to refill and to heat more water

Tankless System

Tankless water heaters are an on-demand system, only heating the water as you need it instead of storing it in a tank and reheating it over and over until you use it.

Pros:

• Highly energy-efficient and last twice as long as a tank unit, with a life expectancy of up to 20 years
• They don’t take up a chunk of space
• Tankless systems don’t run out of hot water, heating it only as you need it

Cons:

• More costly than tank heaters, tankless equipment is about twice the price
• They require expensive and more extensive installation and often even require retrofitting of older homes to accommodate all of the components
• You might have output issues, as the on-demand process can only heat a certain amount of water at a time

If you’re still uncertain about which way to go for your hot water needs, never fear – the team at Hill Plumbing and Air has got you covered. Contact them today to find out everything you need to know about water heating systems.