The Difference Between A Traditional Water Heater and A Tankless Water Heater
When searching for a new hot water heater you may be wondering which style you should choose. What are the differences between a traditional water heater and a tankless water heater? Which one is right for your home?
Traditional water heaters have been the standard for many years. This type of water heater comes in a variety of sizes. Most tanks hold between 30 to 60 gallons of hot water at a time. Traditional water heaters use a tank to store water for the entire house and heat it internally. The heated water is held in the tank until needed. When the tank is drained of hot water it is refilled with cold water and heated again. This is why homeowners with traditional water heaters may complain about running out of hot water when multiple household members shower.
Tankless water heaters do not store water. Instead the water is heated as needed in the home. Most tankless models output 2-3 gallons of heated water per hour. If multiple people in the household are showering at the same time or if you often wash dishes, do laundry, and try to shower at the same time this may not be enough to supply the household at once.
The large size of a traditional water heater requires storage space within the home to house it where a tankless unit is installed in a smaller space and can even be mounted to a wall in a small space such as a closet.
Price is also an important factor to consider when comparing traditional water heaters to tankless models. Although traditional water heaters are far cheaper to install or replace, tankless models usually last 10 or more years longer than traditional models.
Tankless water heaters are also more energy efficient than traditional models leading to savings on utility bills.
When considering which type of water heater is right for your household it is important to consider these difference between traditional water heater and tankless water heater models. A higher initial cost may be worth it in the long run when considering the savings a tankless model can bring over the years.
Looking into different water heaters for your Vancouver property? Call Lambert Plumbing & Heating today at (604)734-0890 for a water heater installation!