If you're in the market for a Water Heater, that means you're probably deciding which type is most suitable to you. There are two main types of water heaters:
- Traditional Water Heaters
- Tankless Water Heaters
When deciding which is best for you, the common approach is to determine the pros and cons of each. There are trade-offs to each one, and it's up to you to decide which works best for you. First you should understand the difference between the two and their functions, and then weigh the pros and cons between them.
So what is the difference, exactly? A traditional water heater can store and preheat 30-50 gallons of water at a time. That preheated water is used whenever you use warm or hot water in your home--to shower, wash dishes, do the laundry. After that, the tank then refills and begins the preheating process again (this is why you might hear someone say, "You used all the hot water!").
A tankless water heater uses a heat source, such as electric or gas, to heat the water on-demand whenever you need it. This does not require any water storage to preheat.
Now that we know the difference, what are the pros and cons?
Traditional Water Heater: Pros
- Not as expensive as tankless water heaters
- Inexpensive to replace -- easy installation
Traditional Water Heater: Cons
- Expensive utility bills -- heating bills can get expensive in this case, especially since the reheated water is set a pre-set temperature. Even if you don't need warm water, it's still there being preheated.
- Larger and occupy more space
- Hot water can run out -- it takes time for the water to fill back up and be preheated again. You might remember this if you were ever the last person in your family to take a shower and the water was cold.
- Shorter life span -- will have to replace in 10-15 years
Tankless Water Heater: Pros
- More energy efficient, saves money in the long run (only uses as much water as you demand)
- Takes up minimal space
- Lasts 20+ years
- Delivers the hot water when you need it, on demand
Tankless Water Heater: Cons
- Initial cost more expensive - roughly $2,800-$4,500 (depending on model)
- Installation more difficult
As you can see, the pros and cons are merely trade-offs in this case. With the traditional water heater, you'll be saving money up front, but could be pay more down the road. With a tankless water heater, you pay thousands of dollars up front, but are being more energy efficient in the long run. It is all dependent on your lifestyle and your home. Some questions to ask yourself when deciding are:
- Do I have the space for a traditional water heater?
- Do I want to pay that much money up front for a tankless water heater?
- Will I want to replace the traditional water heater in 10 years, or install a tankless one and have it replaced in 20 years?
There are many questions to ask yourself. Make sure you are asking the right ones, and doing your research.
This is a guest post from www.kramerandcomechanical.com, a provider of furnace, central air, heating, and pluming services.
