Tankless Or Traditional – Which Type Of Water Heater Is Right For You?

A Tankless Water Heater Has A Better Supply, But Do You Need it?

You’re taking a shower when suddenly your water turns cold. If you’re lucky, you’ve only run out of hot water for the day. However, an unlucky few have just witnessed the death of their water heater. If this is the case for you, you may wonder how to replace your appliance. There are two types of water heaters: traditional and tankless. Luckily for you, the Service Pros are here to explain the difference between the two and help you understand which best suits your needs.

The Difference Between Traditional and Tankless

The difference between the two water heaters is so simple; you can tell what it is by looking at their names. One has a tank, and the other doesn’t. The traditional water heater stores water in a tank and warms it for use in the house. It refills its tank as the water is used and then heats the new water. A tankless water heater only warms the water when it is needed. That means that its operating costs are much lower.

Why Buy A Tankless Water Heater

A tankless water heater is much smaller, requires less energy, and is easier to maintain. For families with many members, the answer is clear. The tankless water heater provides continuous hot water and doesn’t have the limitation of a tank, like traditional heaters. No longer will some family members shower in ice-cold water while the rest enjoy a warm bath!

Reasons A Tankless Heater May Not Be For You

There is no way around it; tankless water heaters are expensive! Not only are the units expensive, but the work needed to retrofit your existing lines to accommodate the new heater is pricey too! Tankless water heaters also have trouble meeting household demand if water pressure is weak.

Advantages of a Traditional Heater

Despite the clear advantage of tankless heaters over traditional ones, there are still some things to consider when picking a water heater. For example, water heater design has not changed much in the past few decades for a reason; the traditional water heater is a reliable piece of equipment. On the other hand, a tankless water heater is a complex, sophisticated piece of technology with much room for error. A traditional water heater is a metal tank with a fire burning under it, and that is about it. There are a few knobs for the pilot light and some pipes for excess runoff, but the overall design is simple. A traditional water heater is also guaranteed to produce a strong flow of hot water until it runs out.

Drawbacks To A Traditional Water Heater

The most glaring problem with traditional water heaters is their tank. Once empty, they can take a long time to heat the water in their tanks back up. Furthermore, once the water is warm, it must stay warm, making for an appliance that burns through gas. As it constantly deals with water, a traditional water heater also takes much more maintenance than a tankless one.

How to Choose A Water Heater

You’ve probably decided which of these two heaters best fits your needs. Are you a large family that needs constant hot water from a tankless heater? Or maybe you’re a single person on a budget and happy with a reliable, traditional heater. Whatever your decision, let the Service Pros Plumbers handle all your installation needs. We have experience installing both conventional and tankless water heaters. We will be happy to help you choose a suitable model for you. So don’t suffer through cold showers any longer; contact us today and get your hot water back.