Which Water Heater Type Is Better: Tank or Tankless?

Monday, March 14th, 2016 at 11:00 am

If you've found yourself needing a new water heater, you have a big decision to make. Should you go with a traditional water heater or a tankless water heater? This is a decision only you can make, as you'll want something that will fit your specific needs.

A traditional water heater stores and preheats 30-50 gallons of water in a tank. This preheated water is used whenever you shower, do the laundry, or wash dishes. The tank then refills to be reheated again. A tankless water heater uses a heat source-either electric or gas-to warm up cool water on demand whenever you need it rather than storing hot water in a tank. To help you make an educated decision, we've outlined the basic pros and cons of each below.

Traditional Tank Water Heater

Tank water heaters come with a lower initial cost. They are also fairly easy and inexpensive to replace. You do have to keep in mind that although it may be cheaper upfront, traditional water heaters come with higher utility bills, since they heat and reheat water at a pre-set temperature no matter what your water needs are. Traditional models are also larger and harder to place than tankless models.

Tankless Water Heater

According to Energy.gov, for homes that use 41 gallons of hot water or less daily, tankless water heaters can be 24%-34% more energy efficient than conventional storage tank water heaters. Therefore, a tankless model saves you money in the long run. Additionally, tankless water heaters don't take up much space in your home, delivers hot water on demand, and typically has a longer lifespan (20+ years) than traditional water heater tanks. Tankless water heaters do come at a higher cost, and retrofitting this water heater for your home could add to the upfront cost as well.

So Which Should I Choose?

When it comes down to it, you'll want to pick the water heater that best fits your water usage, budget, and lifestyle. Overall, a tankless water heater may be a wise choice if you have a large family, since you have more people consistently using more hot water. On the other hand, a traditional water heater could make more sense if you have a limited budget and just need a quick replacement.

To learn more about your water heater options in Prestonburg, KY, contact American Heating & Cooling today!