The water heater of a home is probably one of the easiest appliances to take for granted, if not the easiest system to take for granted. And yet, this system is used every day for multiple purposes.
When it comes time for you to get a new water heater, or if you’re installing a water heater for the very first time in a newly constructed home, then you’ll want to make sure to get in touch with experienced professionals. Only a trustworthy contractor like us will be able to guide you effectively in making the right choice for your home—for instance, choosing between a tank and tankless system.
What are the differences? Is one better than the other? Read on to learn more!
Tank System Facts
Tank water heaters are still the most common types you’ll find in most homes today. One reason this is the case is that they simply do the job required of them, at a low price as long as the tank is properly installed and maintained.
The distinguishing feature of a tank water heater is the large storage tank used to store the water that’s to be heated for your home. They come in different sizes, measured by the gallon. The reason for this is because once the hot water supply runs out in a tank water heater, there is a delay in time as it heats up a new batch. If you have a large reserve of water to draw from, you can use your hot water longer or for more plumbing appliances without it having to refill as frequently as it would have otherwise.
Unfortunately, there is a drawback to this setup. That is, the hot water that goes unused suffers from standby heat loss. If you install a tank water heater that’s too big for your needs, for instance, you may see this standby heat loss appearing as a spike in your energy bills. Therefore, purchasing a tank that is too big can be just as inefficient for your home as buying one that is too small.
Tank water heaters are available for both gas and electric fuel systems. Both types provide pretty much the same benefits, with a gas-powered system being marginally less expensive to run from month to month.
Tankless Water Heater Facts
Tankless water heaters are a great alternative water heater choice for many homeowners in our area. They operate much differently than the more traditional storage tank water heater. As the name implies, a tankless system doesn’t use a storage tank. Instead, tankless systems create hot water through electrical resistance. When there is a demand for hot water from a tap or plumbing appliance in your home, the heat exchangers turn on, and as water flows over the heat exchangers, it warms up.
This setup ultimately makes tankless water heaters the more efficient option for homeowners, in most cases. Since there is no standby heat loss, it means you’re not wasting energy. In addition, tankless water heaters can typically last 5-10 years longer than the tank water heater, as long as it’s properly cared for.
This doesn’t mean the tankless water heater is the best choice for all homes though. You should talk to our plumbers today to see if it’s the right choice for you!
To get in touch with a trustworthy plumber in Tenino, WA, look no further than Brooks Plumbing Co. Contact us today!
