Tankless vs. Conventional Water Heaters

Not only do tankless water heaters offer immediate warmth and comfort, they take up less space and are more efficient—reducing energy costs by about 25% annually. But before you rush out to buy one, learn the facts about both tankless and conventional water heaters from ROTO-ROOTER’s plumbers, and decide which one is right for you:

CONVENTIONAL WATER HEATER

• Stores and heats cold water supply in large tank
• When tank begins to cool, the burner kicks on and heats up the water again.
• Water can be set to desired temperature using a thermostat
• Some models are equipped with heat pumps and thicker walls, making them almost as efficient as tankless units.
• Straightforward system that works well
• Cost: $300 or less
• Installation can be simple
• Consumes energy whether water is needed or not
• Large, takes up more space than tankless models
• Life expectancy of 11-15 years

A traditional water heater keeps 30–50 gallons of water, and preheats it ahead of time. When someone in your home uses hot water, it comes preheated. The tank is then is refilled and reheated.

Conventional water heaters are initially cheaper than tankless options. They usually cost far less at purchase. Installation is also easier, which means that problems with the unit are simpler to fix, and the unit itself is easy to replace.

However, a traditional water heater has its drawbacks. Since it’s heating a set amount of water, regardless of your needs, your utility bill will be higher monthly. Traditional water heaters are also larger than tankless units, which limits where they can be installed; they can’t be installed outdoors, for example. With a traditional heater, there’s also the chance that you can run out of hot water. A conventional water heater also has a shorter life expectancy than a tankless heater, which means you’ll have to replace it more often.

TANKLESS WATER HEATER

If you're looking to upgrade or change your water heater, consider all your options, including a tankless hot water heater. They make use of a gas burner or electric element to heat water when you need it. Each tankless hot water heater usually delivers 2-5 gallons of hot water per minute, with gas-fired heaters producing a higher flow rate than electric heaters. Do your research to determine whether a tankless hot water heater may be the right choice for your household. Here is some more information:

• Also known as an “on-demand” or “instant” hot water heater, it provides hot water only as it is needed. Instead of storing water in a tank, it uses heat exchangers that turn on only when you use the faucet, quickly heating up water as needed.
• If it’s the proper size, it delivers a continuous supply of water at a set temperature.
• Hangs on exterior or interior wall and takes up less space
• Cost: $700 - $1500
• Installation and piping can be costly
• Gas-powered models will need good, costly venting
• Retrofitting homes with traditional units can be expensive and complex
• If the heater is far away, there could be a delay before the water reaches the tap.
• Life expectancy of 20+ years

Here are six benefits of going tankless:

• Continuous hot water. Large families know what a pain it is to hop into the shower – and get blasted with cold water. With a tankless hot water heater, this doesn't happen as long as you install the right size tank. Even if you don’t have a large family, a tankless hot water heater allows you to use multiple appliances at once without running out of hot water.
• Reduced energy bill. Because tankless heaters are essentially ""off"" when the water tap is not on, they use less energy overall. In fact, an ENERGY STAR-qualified tankless hot water heater can use 25 - 40 percent less energy than a conventional water heater, and save the average family $100 or more annually.
• Longer life. Get more bang for your buck with a greater lifespan. Specifically, conventional hot water heaters last about 10 - 13 years compared with up to 20 years for a tankless hot water heater.
• Less space. Did you know that tankless hot water heaters can be hung on a wall almost anywhere in your home? Plus, at 28" tall by 20" wide and 10" deep, a tankless hot water heater takes up a lot less space than a conventional hot water heater, which is 60" tall and 24" wide.
• Good for the environment. In addition to reducing the amount of energy used, most propane-fired tankless water heaters are made of recycled materials. Many conventional tanks, on the other hand, go directly to the dump once they've served their purpose.
• High safety ratings. Conventional water heaters are "always on" and thus pose safety risks more often than do tankless heaters, which only operate when warm water is needed.

Tankless hot water heaters do cost more upfront than the average conventional water heater, due to piping, venting, and installation costs. Weigh the pros and cons of choosing a tankless hot water heater and make your decision armed with all the necessary information.

When shopping for a tankless hot water heater, here are four factors to consider:

• Replaceable parts. Tankless heaters generally cost much more up front than conventional models, due partially to the increased setup, which can include extra electrical outlets for the fan, upgraded and larger gas pipes, and a new ventilation system. Because of the greater upfront cost, you'll want to select a system with replaceable parts so if something breaks, you don't have to repair or replace the tankless hot water heater system — just the part that's broken. Read this guide on some great tips on maintaining water heaters.
• Size. Determine the appropriate size of your tankless hot water heater by considering how much hot water you may need at one time. Tankless heaters are rated based on gallons per minute and temperature rise. Follow the Department of Energy's series of steps to find out what size your family actually needs.
• Location. Because tankless water heaters are about the size of a small suitcase, they can usually be placed on exterior or interior walls, as well as in nontraditional places like attics or crawl spaces. When shopping for a heater, ask the installation company what the options are for placement in your home specifically.
• Type. Tankless water heaters come in two styles: electric and gas. Your home may determine which type you must get — but if you have a choice, weigh the pros and cons of each. For example, electric are generally cheaper to purchase and install so long as you have adequate electrical service. However, natural gas is slightly cheaper to operate (unless natural gas prices rise significantly in the future, of course).

Once you've decided to get a tankless hot water heater, research and discover the best one for you by taking these factors into consideration. If you ever need a water heater repaired or replaced, an expert professional plumber from Roto-Rooter can help. Good luck and happy shopping!