Choosing the Right Type of Water Heater

Hot Water Heaters – Tankless 

Tankless water heaters or “On demand” water heaters, may operate on natural gas or propane. They heat water when you turn on the hot water faucet instead of keeping a storehouse for use. There are advantages and disadvantages to this system however. A pro, is that they take up very little space and use up to 50 percent less energy than units with tanks. That continuous supply of hot water could be helpful for filling up a hot tub or spa bathtub. Standard tankless systems do a great job if the demand is moderate. When you have higher demand than normal you may need to upgrade to a larger unit designed for family usage. Another problem is the need for a professional’s installation and maintenance calls for warranty purposes. Even if, as a homeowner you are fairly proficient in maintenance, this is not a DIY project. Another Con’s is the fluidity of the tankless water heater market. The companies come and go at a quick rate, the product is oversold. The marketing is geared towards those who want to “keep up with the Joneses”, “be more green”, “be modern”, and so on. When the companies dry up, their customers have a tough time finding more parts or technical support. 

​Hot Water Heaters – Tank

There is no set standard surprisingly for comparison.  Marketers of course want either one to look good to the consumer, and the movement to be more “green” has been gaining momentum for quite a while, enough to carry more questionable projects based on their claim to “green” fame. For the cost conscious, an up to 50-gallon tank heater that provides two showers or appliance usages at once, costs around $350 compared to almost $1000.  Installation is a difference as well, the cost almost triples. Unless your usage is very high, to take advantage of the electricity savings, your cost conscious decision would be a traditional tank water heater. A pro of the tank water heater is the ability to multitask. Dishes, and shower, wash, and bath. Depending on the size of the tank, possibly even 3 tasks using hot water at a time. However, the tankless heater cannot flex with that demand. Another pro of the tank water heater is the ability to regulate the water temperature. It is set and maintained by the unit, and can even be set low for safety sake (young infants) or if your tank is small, it can be set higher to accommodate for usage. Unfortunately, tankless water heat can and does have water temperature fluctuations. Not a good thing when bathing an infant.

​Both types of hot water heaters do a great job. With pros and cons to both types it is important to consult a local plumber or expert.  A professional can help you evaluate your hot water needs and layout options that will work great. For all your hot water heater questions, service or installation needs, call us today. Plumbing Solutions of Idaho is Boise’s trusted local plumber helping our neighbors for over 15 years

By Tim Smith

Published: August 07, 2017