Comparing Tank Water Heaters and Tankless Water Heaters
Over the last ten years there has been a considerable increase in the use of tankless water heaters. Several homeowners in Valhalla and the surrounding New York area have turned in their old traditional water heaters for more modern tankless units. If you are considering making the switch to tankless water heaters, but haven't quite made up your mind then here's a quick guide to help you.
Traditional tank water heaters have been around since the early 20th century. The concept is simple: A reserve tank fills up with water and heats it. The heated water is distributed until it's empty. Once it's empty it has to repeat the process of filling up and heating the stored water.
Why Switch To Tankless Heaters
A tankless heater works very differently from a traditional tank heater. Rather than storing water into a tank, water passes through a heating system that instantly transforms the cold water into hot water upon contact. The water is then distributed to its destination.
If you are a homeowner, your main objective is to save money by keeping your utility bills low. So the question is, which type of model is ultimately going to save you money in the long run.
The answer is tankless water heaters. Although your initial investment is higher with a tankless unit, you save money in the long run.
Here's how:
- Tankless water heaters instantly heat water upon contact. This means there's no waiting 2-3 minutes for the water to heat up, and no more water is wasted going down the drain while you are waiting.
- Tankless water heaters run more efficiently and use less energy than tank heaters. In fact you'll see up to a 30% reduction in your energy bill annually.
- Tankless water heaters can heat water for multiple uses simultaneously in a shorter setting rather than being used all day long in order to go from activity to activity, i.e., dishwasher, showers, and washing machines.
- Tankless water heaters can last up to twice as long as a tank heater. The average traditional unit last 8-10 years, while the average tankless water system can last up to to 20 years with relatively no problems or major repairs.
Other Benefits of Tankless Water Heaters
In addition to savings there are other considerable benefits of tankless water heaters.
- Since tankless water heaters do not rely on stored water, then distribute hot water endlessly. This means saying goodbye to cold showers. If you have a family of 4 or more, then you will appreciate not worry about the water temperature in the morning.
- Tankless water heaters are about 1/4 to 1/5 the size of the older models. So they save you space as well as time and money. They are easy to mount and can be placed nearly anywhere.
- Traditional water heaters store water inside of reserve tanks that eventually get old and begin to rust. This causes contamination in the water and can be harmful for swallowing or using on your skin. Since tankless water heaters do not store water it flows through the system on a regular basis and is never allowed to settle.
If you would like to find out more about the pros and cons of tank heaters and tankless heaters then contact an Aqueduct plumbing technician today. He can perform an on-site inspection and make recommendations on what type of water heater is best for your home.