Tank vs. Tankless Water Heater
Over the past decade, there has been a considerable increase in the use of tankless hot water heaters in the Conejo Valley. But why?
Tank and tankless water heaters can both be reliable options for your home. However, it is crucial to figure out which would suit you and your requirements best. In this comparison of tank vs. tankless water heaters, the experts at Conejo Valley Home Services Plumbing & Rooter discuss the basics of each water heater, so you have a better understanding of the differences between each.
If you are considering switching to tankless water heaters, but haven’t quite decided, here’s a quick guide to help you.
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What is a Tank Water Heater?
Storage tank water heaters generally have a capacity of 30 to 60 gallons. The capacity you want depends on your household size and how much hot water you require. Storage tank water heaters use natural gas, electricity, fuel oil, or propane to continuously heat water and keep a full tank ready at all times.
» How do Tank Water Heaters Work?
Traditional tank water heaters have been around since the early 20th century. The concept is simple: A reserve tank fills up with water and heats it. The heated water is distributed to your faucets until it’s empty. Once empty, the tank has to fill up with water and heat it again.
» Pros and Cons of Tank Water Heater
Since there are no perfect products, here are the good points and downsides to tank water heaters.
Pros:
- Lower upfront cost - A traditional tank-style water heater installed will usually cost less with tankless water heaters costing much more.
- Simpler maintenance – While both types of water heaters require maintenance, a tank system usually costs less and is much simpler.
Cons:
- Runs out of hot water - Traditional water heaters are limited by their tank’s capacity and can run out of hot water.
- Less energy efficient - Because tank water heaters are always on to keep the water in the tank warm, they use more power than tankless water heaters.
- Large - Tank water heaters require a lot of space and won’t fit in tight spaces.
- Don’t last as long - Traditional water heaters only last 10-15 years, whereas tankless versions can last up to 25 years.
What is a Tankless Water Heater?
As their name implies, tankless, instantaneous, or on-demand water heaters don’t have a tank for storing water.
A tankless hot water system heats water only when you need it. So if you’re the only one taking a shower, you don’t need to heat water for five. The same applies to washing dishes, clothes, and whatever else you need hot water for. You might need a gallon, 30, or maybe 100; there is no limit to how much hot water a tankless system can produce. Sounds great, right? But there are also some drawbacks.
» How do Tankless Water Heaters Work?
Tankless water heaters don’t have a storage tank for hot water. Instead, they only heat water when you need it. This is how tankless water heaters produce hot water instantly:
When you open a hot water faucet in your home, cold water travels into the heater and runs through a burner or heat exchanger, where heating occurs. Once hot, it directly flows to the tap or shower you turned on. These heaters can heat up to five gallons of water in a minute.
» Pros and Cons of Tankless Water Heater
Here are the various benefits to tankless water heaters, as well as their downsides:
Pros:
- Never runs out of hot water - Since tankless water heaters heat water on demand, you’ll never run out.
- More energy efficient – Since tankless water heaters have no tanks, they don’t waste energy keeping the tank warm all day.
- Takes up less space - You can fit tankless water heaters in tighter spaces since they have no storage tank.
- Lasts longer - Tankless water heaters can last up to 25 years if well maintained.
Cons:
- High upfront cost – The biggest downside of tankless water heaters is the unit’s high upfront cost and installation.
- Limited flow rate - A tankless water heater may be more efficient, but its output is also more limited to its flow rate.
What are the Differences Between a Tank Water Heater vs. Tankless Water Heater?
There are several ways in which these heaters differ that we can look into below, based on which you can then make a choice.
» Costs
Tank water heaters are generally more affordable than tankless water heaters in terms of purchase and installation costs.
Beyond the initial purchase and installation costs, tankless water heaters tend to be more cost-effective long term because they use less power than tank heaters to heat water.
» Energy Efficiency
Tankless water heaters are more energy-efficient in comparison to tank water heaters. They achieve this efficiency because they only heat water on demand instead of maintaining a constant supply and storage of hot water.
» Installation
When it comes to installation costs, installing a point-of-use tankless water heater will cost the least, followed by storage tank water heaters, then whole-house tankless heaters.
Some homeowners can DIY install traditional tank water heaters to save on water heater installation costs. However, it’s best to leave tankless water heater installation to a professional, as they are more complex.
» Size
Since traditional water heaters come with a storage tank, you need to account for that when setting aside some space for installation. On the other hand, tankless water heaters don’t have a tank, which is perfect if you don’t have plenty of room in your house.
» Performance
Tank water heaters hold a certain amount of hot water in their tank. If you choose the right size for your storage tank water heater, your home should not run out of hot water. On the other hand, since tankless water heaters heat water instantly, they might struggle to keep up with demand if two or more taps require hot water simultaneously. Thus, if your household demands a greater demand for hot water, you might need to install more than one tankless heater or install point-of-use models.
» Maintenance and Durability
Traditional tank water heaters have a lifespan of approximately 10-15 years, whereas tankless systems can last for over 25 years. Also, tanked water heaters require frequent maintenance to prevent rusting and other tank failures that cause leakages and damage your house.
Choosing the Right Water Heater for Your Home
» Parting Thoughts - Tankless Water Heater Vs. Tank Water Heater. Which Should I Choose?
We have now seen several ways in which tank and tankless water heaters are different from each other. So, which should you choose? Ultimately, it depends on your requirements.
Overall, it might be better to opt for a tankless water heater since it has the potential to save you a lot of energy and money in the long run. However, you might need to install several of these heaters if you have a higher demand for water at home.
When You Need A New Water Heater, You Can Rely on Conejo Valley Home Services Plumbing & Rooter
Still not sure which water heater is right for you? We can help! Contact Conejo Valley Home Services Plumbing & Rooter today, and we’ll talk through your needs and requirements so you can make the best decision for your homestead.
To learn more about our water heater services, Call (805) 499-0448 or contact us online today!
and from the conversation over a couple of electrical issues here, I understood quickly that Owen knows the line of work very well: educated, smart, polite, with down the the earth professional demineur... He checked the wiring, and explained the possibilities why my appliance keeps tripping the breaker..
Thank you Owen.
The company has a right set up. They would also remind you about the appointment, and would convinietly call you a few minutes ahead.
They have the right codes... they won't walk in their shoes on your floors either...
I strongly recommend the Conejo company for your electrical issues...
We had other work done where we felt the pricing was quite high, like for a garbage disposal and for installing a tankless hot water heater. So consumers should be sure to do price comparisons.
When they put in our tankless hot water heater, there were a couple of code violations that needed to be corrected, plus we had some questions about the costs. But when our concerns finally reached the Customer Service managers, their response was excellent and all our concerns were immediately and satisfactorily resolved.
We’ve had ongoing AC issues for a couple of years, and after trying other companies, we finally found the solution with Alfredo from Conejo Valley Heating and AC. The level of professionalism and quality of work Alfredo delivered was unparalleled.
From the moment he arrived, Alfredo impressed us with his attention to detail—respecting our home by wearing booties and carefully assessing the situation. He identified the root cause of our AC problems, taking his time and staying late into the afternoon, even after a long, busy day. As the last appointment of the day, Alfredo made sure our AC was fully repaired before leaving.
Beyond fixing the immediate issue, Alfredo also provided valuable advice and options for maintaining our AC in the future, along with some helpful plumbing suggestions. His dedication to his craft and customer service is truly world-class.
We highly recommend requesting Alfredo if you’re considering Conejo Valley Heating and AC. We’ve permanently requested him as our go-to technician for any future needs. His work is simply outstanding, and we couldn’t be more satisfied with the service.
We ended up choosing another local plumber who charged half what CVHAPR quoted us. I'm so glad we got a second opinion.
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