Should You Get a Traditional or Tankless Water Heater?

If you need a water heater or will need one soon, be prepared to make a decision:  Do you want to get a tankless water heater, or should you get a traditional water heater that has a tank?  There are pluses and minuses to each type of water heater.

Traditional Water Heaters

• A traditional water heater preheats water so that it will be warm when needed.
•   The tanks on these appliances are generally from 30 to 50 gallons, and they keep warm water ready for when people need to take a shower, do the laundry, or wash dishes.
• The traditional water heater costs less than tankless heaters—sometimes half or less than half as much.
• These appliances are easier to replace if something goes wrong.
• The utility bill is higher to keep a traditional water heater working.
• They are bigger.
• They last 10-15 years which is less time than tankless water heaters.

Tankless Water Heaters

• These machines save money over the life of the water heater, often saving from one quarter to one third it would cost to run a traditional water heater.
• Tankless Water Heaters are smaller so they take up less space.
• Tankless water heaters last longer–usually 20 years or more.
• These appliances don’t store hot water, they make it when there is a demand, which saves energy and money.
• Tankless water heaters do cost quite a bit more when originally purchased, but they can save money in the long run.
• It can also cost more the first time you replace a traditional water heater with a tankless model.

It is estimated by Energy Star that tankless water heaters can save $100 each year in energy savings. People with larger families requiring more showers, more clothes to wash, and more dishes that need to be washed will often find a tankless heater to be an improvement over the more traditional models.  On the other hand, people with more limited incomes or people who need a fast replacement of a traditional water heater may find this to be the best choice.

For your next water heater installation or replacement, call Allen Service for the best customer service around!