Today’s water heater options are all much more energy efficient than water heaters of the past, no matter what model you may have. However a recent water heater development—the tankless water heater—has many homeowners excited about how much money they can save with this type of system.
But is it right for you? In some cases, it may be better to stick with the conventional storage tank water heater. Keep reading to learn more about the differences between these systems to learn which is best for you.
Storage Tank Water Heaters
Storage tank water heaters are still the most popular type of water heating systems found in homes today, and for good reason. They continuously store heated water for use later on. But just as there are significant advantages to this system, there are some inefficiencies as well, which is why there became a need for tankless water heaters.
Tank systems are cheaper to purchase upfront than their tankless counterparts, and allow for a simpler installation or replacement, making these services more affordable as well. Additionally, there are several models of storage tank systems that are not operated by electricity, though there are many different fuel type options.
A couple disadvantages include the fact that these systems can suffer from standby heat loss, and can also run out of water during high-usage times resulting in cold showers or inefficient hot water for dish and clothes washing. Also, tanks are larger than tankless systems so they do take up more space.
Tankless Water Heaters
These systems function by heating cold water that passes through them via a gas burner or electrical elements. From here, it supplied the hot water to the pipes of your property without the use of any type of storage tank.
Perhaps the largest benefit of this is that the hot water is created on an as-needed basis, which saves energy and money by not heating water that is never used. These systems also allow for more precise temperature control, lower maintenance costs, and extremely high efficiency.
Tankless water heaters are more expensive upfront, although your energy savings month-to-month could make up for this. There’s also a minimum amount of hot water flow needed, and recirculation can be more complicated. Also, most models do require electricity to run, so if you prefer a gas-powered system this may not be the best option for you.
No matter what type of water heating system you decide to invest in, you can count on Brooks Plumbing Co. for superior water heater installation in Lacey, WA and beyond. Contact us today!
