If it’s about time to replace your water heater, it’s a good idea to examine all of your options carefully. Rather than automatically replacing your current water heater with the same type you already have, you should carefully compare different types to determine which one is truly the best choice for your home. Typically, the biggest comparison you’ll need to make is between a traditional water heater and a tankless hot water heater in Sacramento, CA. Tankless water heaters are a more recent addition to the plumbing industry, so you might not know much about them or how they compare to conventional models. Keep reading to learn more and find out which one is best for your home.
How Do Tankless Water Heaters Work?
First, let’s talk about how these modern water heaters work as compared to conventional models. Your typical water heater with a tank holds a large amount of water above a heating element. The water heater periodically turns on (using gas or electricity) to keep that stored water at the desired temperature. When you need hot water, it’s pumped through your home’s pipes to where you need it; then, cold water refills the tank, and it’s heated up to the desired temperature once again.
Tankless water heaters eliminate the stored water and heat water on demand for you. When you need hot water, water flows through the device and is instantly heated to the desired temperature before being pumped through the pipes and to whatever faucet you’ve turned on. There’s no delay in receiving the hot water, as tankless models heat the water passing through them very quickly.
Which Is Cheaper?
Cost is always important when making home repairs; if you need a new water heater, you should certainly compare the prices of various models. However, it’s also important to consider the long-term costs of any water heater, which are impacted by their energy efficiency, expected lifespan, and other factors. If you’re comparing a conventional water heater to a tankless model, you’ll notice very quickly that a tankless water heater will generally cost more.
However, when considering those long-term costs, the tankless water heater may actually win out. That’s because tankless water heaters are much more energy efficient than conventional models. Because a conventional water heater has to constantly maintain a temperature of 50 to 80 gallons of water, it uses up a lot of energy. Think of it as constantly keeping a pot of water at a boil on the stove, just in case you decide to cook pasta at some time during the day. Doesn’t really make sense, does it? By only heating water when it’s actually needed, tankless water can consume up to 30% less electricity than an electric water heater with a tank. Those lower utility bills can add up over time, so the higher price tag on a tankless water heater will likely pay for itself.
Which One Lasts Longer?
As we stated earlier, the lifespan of a water heater is always something to consider. Your average water heater with a tank is expected to last about ten years, and it’s usually the tank itself that will fail first. The sooner you have to replace it, the higher the true cost of the water heater.
Because a tankless water heater doesn’t have this element, it will typically last longer than a conventional water heater. Most tankless water heating units are expected to last between 15 and 20 years. So, when comparing the cost of these two models, remember that you’ll likely need to pay for two conventional water heaters to provide you with hot water for the same amount of time as a single tankless model.
Which One Fits in My Home?
The tank on a traditional water heater obviously takes up a great deal of space. If you switch to a tankless model, you’ll free up quite a bit of room where that tank used to be, which can be useful. However, size isn’t the only thing that determines fit. You’ll also need to think about what your home is currently hooked up for. If you have a gas water heater, you’ll need to have the space reconfigured to provide electricity to a tankless water heater. This can significantly increase the price of installation.
Ultimately, if the upfront cost is a major concern for you, a conventional water heater may be your best option. However, in almost every other area of consideration, a tankless water heater is better than a traditional one. Contact Bullseye Leak Detection today for tankless hot water heater installation in Sacramento, CA.