Should I Make the Switch to a Tankless Water Heater?
A lot of new home builders are installing tankless water heaters into homes. However, if you live in an older home you may be wondering if you should make the switch. This new technology has been on the market for a few years now and it is quickly becoming more popular. Both tankless and traditional water heaters have their pros and cons. Both have different plumbing requirements as well. At the end of the day, the decision will be based on your budget and preferences.
What is a Tankless Water Heater?
The main difference is stated in the name. A tankless water heater does not need the huge tank to contain a constant store of hot water. Instead, the device uses high-powered burners to quickly heat up water as it it flows through a heat exchanger. Then it delivers it directly to the faucets or showers where it is needed. For this reason, these appliances are also known as on demand water heaters. They use electricity or gas for power.
What is the Difference?
A traditional water heater has an insulated tank that typically contains 30-50 gallons of water. It is stored hot until it is needed. These are the units that most plumbing services are familiar with a service on a regular basis. These units use natural gas or electricity for energy.
Pros and Cons of a Tankless Water Heater
The biggest drawback the stops most homeowners from replacing their unit with a tankless water heater is the upfront cost. These units normally cost more than double the price of a traditional water heater. Plumbing services to replace a storage tank model with a tankless unit can be costly as well. However, according to Energy.gov, tankless units can be 24 to 34 percent more energy efficient. These newer models also last a great deal longer than the older ones. Where a traditional model can last seven to 12 years, a tankless one can last 20 to 30 years. They are also smaller and compact. However, a notable drawback is the fact that they cannot handle several tasks at once. If you decide to do laundry while someone is showering the water heater might fail to work properly.
Pros and Cons of a Storage Tank Water Heater
Again, replacing a broken water heater with the same tank model is much less expensive. On the same note, they need to be replaced more often. This is especially true in homes with hard water. Water sediment builds up and causes cracks in the tank over time. Once a tank is compromised the whole unit must be replaced. On the other hand, these models can handle several hot water jobs and once and running out of hot water is not as big of an issue. When you call for plumbing service on a traditional unit you can be sure to get reliable service as every plumber will be familiar with these models.
Contact Our Plumbing Services Today
Whether you want to make the switch or have questions about tankless units give New Age Plumbing a call. One of our helpful experts will be able to answer your questions or set up an appointment.