Water Heater Selection: Should Pick Or Ditch The Tank?

Looking to install a water heater in your home? Proper installation of a hot water system depends on multiple factors. One key consideration when choosing a residential hot water unit is choosing between a tank-type water heater and a tankless version. Each option has unique features, pros, and cons that need to be carefully looked at before making a final decision.

Assess the following factors to increase your chances of picking the right water heater type for your domestic hot water needs.

The Size of Your Family

What's the size of your household? How big or small your family is can affect your choice of a water heater. Storage water heaters come in a variety of tank sizes so they can match the hot water demand of almost any household, big or small.

Tankless models, on the other hand, can only provide hot water at the maximum flow rate they are rated for. If many people need to use hot water simultaneously during certain hours of the day or night, you may easily run out of hot water.

The Availability of Space for Tank Placement

Sometimes, the decision on whether to install a tank-type or tankless water heating system comes down to the availability of space for tank placement. If space is not a problem in your home, a storage water heater can be a great option. If you do not have much space available for tank placement, a tankless hot water system can work well. You'll only need to find space for running the plumbing.

The Durability of the Water Heater

Although conventional storage water heaters can last for a reasonable number of years when installed and maintained correctly, they cannot outlast most tankless water heaters. The durability of tankless water heaters can be attributed mainly to the fact that they do not feature a water storage tank. 

The tank in a storage water heating system deteriorates over time. Once it reaches the end of its service life, water heater replacement becomes inevitable. 

The Potential for Energy Savings

While newer models of tank-based water heaters have higher energy efficiency ratings than their predecessors, tankless versions still come out on top in terms of energy efficiency. The lack of a tank in the design of a demand-type water heater means there are no standby heat losses associated with traditional storage water heaters.

When it comes to choosing between tank-type water heaters and their on-demand cousins, careful consideration is required. If you need professional advice and guidance on water heater system selection and installation, feel free to contact a local water heater installer.

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