If you’re asking yourself, “Which water heater is right for my home?” you need to carefully consider the pros and cons of a traditional water heater vs a tankless. Understanding the differences is key to choosing a setup for your Chicago-area home that will meet your hot water demands without skyrocketing your energy costs.
What Is the Difference Between Tankless and Traditional Water Heaters?
Traditional water heaters store hot water in a tank and keep it warm until you’re ready to use it. They hold a set number of gallons (usually between 30 to 80). Homes with large families or higher water usage, of course, need larger tanks.
Tankless water heaters don’t store hot water at all, which is why they don’t come with a tank. Instead, they heat water on demand. When you turn on the hot water, the system heats the water fast and then stops heating as soon as you turn the hot water off.
Pros and Cons of Tankless Water Heaters
Tankless water heaters are extremely efficient, especially when doing a tank vs. tankless water heater comparison. Since they only use energy to heat water on demand, they can help lower your energy bills. And because they are much smaller, they work great in homes that have limited space. Their compact design helps them last longer than most traditional water heaters, meaning you won’t have to replace the unit as often.
As with any type of appliance, tankless units do have a few downsides. The biggest is their upfront cost, which is usually higher than a water heater with a tank. Plus, these units, sometimes, require modifications to your gas line or electrical system. This can add to the total cost of the installation by several hundred dollars.
Pros and Cons of Traditional (Tank) Water Heaters
The majority of homes have traditional water heaters with a tank. These types are less expensive to buy and can usually meet the hot water needs for small- to medium-sized homes. Their installation is quick and easy and doesn’t require any major upgrades.
Traditional water heaters have several downsides, however. As the water sits in their tanks, the units use lots of energy to keep it hot. And because standby heat loss occurs, these systems waste energy even when you’re not using hot water. They’re also much bigger than tankless models, which can be a problem for homes with limited space. And if you use up all the hot water stored in the tanks, you’ll have to wait for it to reheat before you have hot water again.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing
Every home is different, so you need to think carefully when choosing between a tankless vs. traditional water heater. Picking the best option will impact your hot water usage, energy efficiency and monthly utility costs.
Upfront Installation Cost
We’ve already covered the higher upfront cost of tankless units. If your home needs any electrical or gas line upgrades, the installation cost will go up even more. Keeping the cost factor in mind is crucial to making sure you stay within budget.
Energy Efficiency
Tankless water heaters almost always win when it comes to better energy efficiency. Since they don’t have to deal with standby heat loss or constantly reheat stored water, they save energy and keep your monthly bills lower. The only time a traditional unit performs better is during light, infrequent hot water usage.
Hot Water Demand
If your home has several people living in it who frequently use hot water, a tankless unit is your best bet. It’ll provide a virtually endless supply of hot water, even when using multiple fixtures at the same time. Some homes need two or more tankless units to handle high water usage efficiently. Tank styles don’t give you unlimited hot water—you’ll need to wait for a refill.
Available Space
Take a look at the amount of room you have for utility equipment. We can always install a tankless unit on a wall or in a closet if you have limited floor space. If you want a traditional water heater, you’ll need to have a dedicated utility area so that we can fit everything safely and properly.
Professional Recommendation Based on Your Home
After you look at the pros and cons of each type, we recommend getting a professional’s opinion. One of our plumbers can inspect your home’s water usage, existing plumbing setup and available space to determine what type of heater will work best.
“Should I buy a tankless water heater?” is a question we get all the time. Our plumbers have many years of experience doing water heater replacements, repairs and tune-ups. We make it simple to pick a unit that will fully meet your household’s hot water needs without wasting energy or space.
Call Goode Plumbing now to get expert help in choosing the right water heater for your Chicago-area home.
