A Guide to Understanding Water Heater Systems
Whether you are doing some consumer research before you choose or are just simply curious about the difference between tankless and traditional tank water heaters, Mr. Rooter Plumbing shares some important differences that could change your mind on which system is right for you!
The Water heater is the unsung hero of your home - in fact, you probably never even think about it unless it's not working. Ensuring that you have the best water heater system for your home and fit for your lifestyle can help reduce the risk of a malfunctioning system down the road.
But in a world to tank vs. tankless, how can you tell which type of water heater is right for you? Here is a list of numbers, facts, and figures to help you compare cost, functionality, capability and more.
Traditional: Tank system
- Water is stored in a tank and heated with gas or electricity. When you turn on your shower or sink, hot water is sent from your water heater to your fixture. The amount of hot water available is dependent on the size of the tank.
- The average cost of a new system and installation, (depending on your model and service costs), will be around $800.
- The average annual operating cost (according to the United States Department of Energy) is $388.
- The average lifespan is 12 years.
- Tanks are designed to hold between 30-100 gallons of water, they are they bulkier option, standing as tall as 10 ft. with a diameter up to 42 in.
Tank System Perks:
- Cheaper initial installation.
- Simpler design resulting in cheaper maintenance and repairs.
- Provides hot water to multiple fixtures at peak hours.
Tankless Water Heater:
- Unlink traditional water heaters that require a tank, tankless water heaters heat the water in your home as it is being used. Water flows through the compact system and is heated with gas or electricity as it continues out and towards your shower, sink, or other fixture.
- The average cost of a new system and installation (depending on your model and service costs) is around $3000.
- Average annual operating cost (according to the United States Department of Energy) runs at $272.
- The average life span is 20 years.
- Since they do not require a tank, tankless options are much more compact. The Box is mounted on your wall and is designed to fit in most locations.
Tankless System Perks:
- Cheaper energy bills and continued costs.
- Longer lifespan before replacement.
- Water is heated when you are actually using it.
Which is best for me?
The Big Family
Tankless water heaters are great for on-demand hot water, but not for providing multiple sources with hot water at the same time. In fact, if too many sources try to pull from a tankless system, you could overpower your system and harm it. If you have a large family that has peak hours for hot water consumption, a water tank system can provide gallons of ready-to-go hot water when you need it.
The Environmentalist
If you are concerned with your energy consumption and want to keep your carbon foot print down, the tankless water heater is a good option. Unlike a traditional heater that constantly heats water, a tankless system uses energy only when you demand it.This system can reduce energy consumption by 10-15% and even drastically impact your energy bills.
The Present Thinker
If you are looking to invest a lot of money into a new system and installation, stick to the traditional water heater tank. The installation process is much simpler than the tankless heater and the cost of a new tank can save you a ton of money right now.
The Investor
The demand for tankless water heater systems continues to increase as more and more homeowners are turning to energy efficient solutions. If you are looking to upgrade your home or increase the value of your home, you might want to consider making an investment in going to a tankless system.
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