Differences Between a Traditional Water Heater and Tankless

 
When it comes time to buy a water heater, every homeowner faces the basic question of whether to get a traditional water heater or a tankless one. There is no automatic right or wrong answer to what you should buy. Instead, it depends on a number of factors:

The Differences

The traditional water heater that everyone is familiar with works by pre-heating water and storing it in a tank for when you need it. Most tanks hold between 30 and 50 gallons. Whenever you use hot water, the tank refills to capacity and is reheated. However, a tankless water heater uses gas or electricity to heat the water on demand as you use it. There is no need to store hot water.

Traditional Water Heaters

The great advantage of a traditional water heater is that it is less expensive, sometimes by as much as 50%. They are also easier to install. Unfortunately, storing all that hot water costs money, and traditional heaters are bulky and take up space. There are other issues, such as the possibility of using up hot water faster than it can be heated, as anyone who has been third in line to take a shower might attest. The life expectancy of a traditional water heater is about 10 to 15 years.

Tankless Water Heaters

Because they only heat water when you need it, tankless water heaters can be up to a third cheaper to run than the traditional kind. They are small and can last for more than 20 years. The bad news is they can be expensive to buy and install, sometimes by as a factor of twice as much or more.

Your Choice

In the end, whether you should by a traditional or tankless water heater comes down to your personal water usage level, lifestyle and what you can afford. Tankless heaters cost more, but operate more cheaply and conveniently. If you need a cheap and easy replacement, sticking with a traditional water heater may be best. Contact a plumbing company today to help you decide which choice makes the most sense for you.

Looking into different water heaters for your Naperville property? Call Jim Wagner today at (630) 577-9241 for a water heater installation!