Good evening everyone, and welcome to the first water heater debate of this election season. Tonight, we will be asking our candidates, the tank and the tankless water heater, to demonstrate their ability to keep up with your hot water demands. This will be a competition of cost, efficiency, and comfort, so don’t go anywhere.
Understanding the differences between the tank and tankless water heaters can make a huge impact on your decision-making process, so if you are in the market for a brand-new water heater this year, keep reading below (Oh, and of course, remember to schedule your water heater services in Olympia, WA with our team, a proud sponsor of the 2020 Water Heater Debate!)
Now, on with the debate!
Let’s Get Started!
Let’s learn a little bit more about our candidates:
Tank Water Heaters
Tank water heaters, also known as storage water heaters, are typically the standard choice among homeowners. They store a supply of water in a tank and maintain it at a steady temperature. Fresh, cold water enters the bottom of the tank where it is heated and rises to the top to be used as requested. When a hot water tap is turned on, a circulator pump moves the heated water from the top of the tank into the plumbing system.
Advantages:
- Purchasing a tank water heater is quite affordable, as most models are inexpensive.
- Installing or replacing a tank water heater is simple.
- Tank water heaters can be powered by electricity, gas, or oil.
- Since hot water is continuously heated and stored, you can expect hot water right when you need it.
Disadvantages:
- Heat can escape through an uninsulated tank. This is called standby heat loss.
- If the demand is too high, you can run out of hot water.
- Storage tanks can be quite large and bulky depending on your household needs.
- You lack the ability to select precise water temperature settings.
Tankless Water Heaters
Tankless water heaters, also known as demand water heaters, deliver hot water to your home only when it is necessary. A tankless water heater heats water directly as it moves through the system without using a storage tank. When a hot water tap is turned on, either a gas burner or an electric heating element begins to heat the water.
Advantages:
- You will never run out of hot water since it is heated on demand.
- The risk of standby heat loss is eliminated.
- Without a tank, tankless water heaters provide greater space savings.
- Tankless water heaters are super efficient.
- You have the ability to select precise temperature settings.
Disadvantages:
- Tankless water heaters are more expensive to purchase.
- Installation can be costly and complicated.
- Most models require electricity, which can be very expensive depending on where you live.
- Tankless systems require a minimum amount of hot water flow.
Who Will You Choose?
Of course, we can’t tell you who we think the winner should be — both systems are pretty great! But, once you have made your decision, be sure to hire a professional plumber to install your new system for you!
Schedule your plumbing services with the team at Brooks Plumbing Company today!
