When the time comes to replace your San Antonio home’s water heater, you’ve got a lot of choices to sift through. If you have a traditional tank water heater, you’ll need to decide if the capacity is enough or if you need to change to a different size. However, you may also want to consider a tankless model, known for greater efficiency and better performance. Be sure to do some research and you’ll find there are several pros and cons to each. Then, talk to your trusted service professional and let them help guide you through the process.
Tank vs. Tankless
Traditional water heaters feature a holding tank or reservoir for hot water. Water is heated before it enters the tank and is then stored inside the tank, waiting for you to turn on the hot water tap. While inside the holding tank, the water is kept hot so that it is ready when you need it.
A tankless water heater is a slim appliance that has a heating element to create hot water. When you turn on the hot water faucet, water is drawn across this heating element and heated as it makes its way to the faucet. There is no holding tank for the hot water as the water is heated on demand. Water simply moves to be heated when the faucet is turned on and stops when the faucet is turned off.
With both options having perks and downsides, it’s important to understand your hot water demands and those of others in your household and make a choice based on what is best for your home.
Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency is a top consideration for most people, as the amount of energy consumed directly correlates to your utility bills each month.
Tank-style water heaters require near-constant energy to not only heat the water but also keep it hot while it waits inside the holding tank. As the water is consumed, the tank is working on refilling with more hot water to try and keep up with your hot water demands. This creates an endless cycle of heating the water, if you empty the tank you’ll have to wait several minutes for more water to be heated.
Tankless water heaters are much more energy efficient, using energy only when the water is heated as it moves across the heating element. With a tankless water heater, you can save a noticeable amount of money on your utility bill, making it the more economical choice.
Hot Water Supply
Traditional tank water heaters come in different sizes, with a holding tank of a certain size. The tank fills after you use hot water and will refill as more hot water is created. However, depending on the size of your tank, you could run out of hot water after multiple showers, loads of laundry, or household chores. When the water runs out, you’ll have to wait for more to enter the tank.
Tankless water heaters provide on-demand hot water with a near-endless supply. You never have to wait for your tank to refill and aren’t constricted based on the size of the reservoir. Although you may have to wait just a couple of moments if you’re trying to get hot water from more than one faucet at the same time, you’ll always have hot water when you need it with a tankless unit.
One excellent example of how the two designs differ when considering demand is when you have a multiple-person household all wanting to shower around the same time. A tank water heater may only be able to handle a couple of hot showers in a row before the hot water runs out and you’re stuck waiting for it to refill. With a tankless unit, your family can take shower after shower all day long and never run out of hot water.
Environmental Impact
Finding products and methods that are better for the environment is a key consideration in many big purchases. When choosing your next water heater, this may be a top consideration for you.
Remember that tank water heaters use almost constant energy to heat the water and maintain the water temperature inside the tank.
Tankless water heaters use energy only when heating the water as it flows to the faucet. This means that tankless units use up to 35% less energy than traditional tank-style heating units. Not only does this save you money when the utility bill comes, but it also lowers the negative impact on the environment. A tankless water heater is a great option for eco-friendly homes and is perfect for environmentally conscious consumers.
Size and Design
Tank water heaters feature a tank varying in size from 20 to 80 gallons or larger. Due to the size of the tank, you are restricted on where you can place your water heater and it tends to take up a considerable amount of space. Most tank water heaters are found in closets or basements to keep them out of the way as best as possible.
Tankless water heaters are slim and can be mounted on a wall in nearly any area of the house, depending on your water pipes. Switching to a tankless model can free up precious space in your home, giving you more room for storage and function.
Maintenance Needs
Maintenance is important for all home appliances, including your water heater. Your plumber may inspect your unit and check that everything is in good condition, that the wiring is intact, and that you are getting the hot water your unit should be giving you.
Tank water heaters also require regular cleaning and flushing. Over time, sediment and minerals can build up inside your water tank. These contaminants can come out of the faucet with your hot water. For clean water, your tank should be flushed to remove this debris.
Tankless water heaters have no tank so they do not require extra cleaning or flushing. The maintenance costs for your tankless unit are minimal in comparison to those of a tank model.
Contact Us to Upgrade Today
When the time comes that you must choose a new water heater for your San Antonio home, trust our dedicated plumbers at Rosenberg Plumbing & Air to help. Our plumbers are highly skilled and experienced with water heaters of all kinds and can give you the information you need to make the best choice for your home. In addition to water heaters, we offer a full range of other plumbing services including leak detection, pipe repair, and drain cleaning. We can help install plumbing fixtures, remove clogs, and fix leaky faucets.
Our company also employs a trusted team of HVAC technicians to help you maintain comfort at home through heating and cooling repair, replacement, and maintenance services. Count on us for all your home’s plumbing and HVAC needs and we’ll make sure you stay comfortable and enjoy the convenience of modern plumbing.
When choosing your next water heater, consider the efficiency and costs before installing a unit in your San Antonio home. For a tankless water heater installation and all other household plumbing services, call our experts at Rosenberg Plumbing & Air today.
Tags: tankless water heater, water heater installation