Water heaters are one of those appliances that many people tend to take for granted, even though they are also one of the appliances we rely on the most in our homes.
When it comes time to either replace your water heater or buy the very first one for your brand new home, you’ll want to turn to a pro to help you with installation. You’ll also want to determine what type of water heater you want–with the main two options being a tank or tankless unit.
One of the most common questions we get about these systems is, “Which is better?” Well, the truth is, it really depends. It depends on how much hot water you and your household uses, and how much you use at the same time. Read on as we explore both systems, and when you need help making an educated decision, look no further than our team!
All About Tank Water Heaters
These are some of the most common water heaters you’ll see in homes still today, and for good reason. For one, they do the job required of them at a reasonable cost.
The distinguishing feature of a traditional water heater, of course, is the storage tank of water. These tanks are available in different sizes, by the gallon. Why? Because once a tank heater’s hot water supply is depleted, there will be a delay in how long it takes to heat up a new supply. So bigger homes with higher hot water demands may need a bigger system.
By having a larger reserve of water to draw from, your household can use the hot water for longer or for more appliances at once. Unfortunately, a drawback to this is that if you have too big of a water heater or if your household hot water demands change as kids move out, your system will suffer from standby heat loss.
So if you have a system that’s too big for your home, you could end up wasting a lot of money on energy you aren’t actually benefiting from. This is one of the drawbacks of a tank system, and a big reason many people choose to go tankless.
All About Tankless Water Heaters
Tankless systems are an alternative to the traditional tank water heater, and function in a fundamentally different way. As the name implies, a tankless water heater doesn’t use a storage tank. Instead, a tankless system creates hot water through electrical resistance. The hot water only comes on when you need it.
This makes tankless water heaters the most efficient option in the long run. No standby heat loss means that you aren’t wasting any energy. Sounds perfect, right?
Well, there is a drawback to this system too. If you have too many plumbing appliances on at once demanding hot water, the tankless system can get overwhelmed. Some folks even prefer to have two tankless systems installed to resolve this problem. They’re typically mounted high up on a wall, so at least you can save space!
We’re happy to talk to you more about the differences between these water heaters and help you make a final decision. Just give us a call!
Whether you’re ready to schedule installation or want to learn more about tankless water heaters in Roanoke, VA, contact W.C. Butler Heating and Air Conditining!