Your home's water heater is one of those things that you probably don't think about too much until it stops working. If your hot water heater has suddenly started to operate intermittently or it just isn't keeping up like it should be, it's time to start thinking about a new water heater installation. You'll find that you have the choice between a traditional hot water heater with a tank or a tankless, on-demand hot water heater system. Understanding the two will help you to make your choice and find the one that's the right fit for your needs.
Cost
When you look at tankless water heaters as well as new traditional hot water tanks, you'll find that there's a difference in price between the two. If your budget is a concern, you may find that a traditional hot water tank is the right solution because they are typically the more affordable solution.
However, despite the initial cost being higher for an on-demand system, the return on investment is often better because they don't run constantly, so you won't have to replace the unit nearly as often. If your budget allows for the investment in an on-demand hot water system, that may be an ideal solution for your family.
Energy Demand
Perhaps the single biggest difference between an on-demand water heater system and a traditional tank system is the energy demand of each one. With a traditional tank system, your hot water heater runs almost all the time to maintain the temperature of an entire tank full of water. This cost can add up substantially over time.
An on-demand system, on the other hand, only requires energy use when you're actually using hot water. When you need hot water, the on-demand system engages and rapidly heats the water that you need. This reduces your energy costs because there's no passive heat maintenance that needs to happen with this type of system as compared to a hot water tank.
Versatility
When you install a hot water tank, you'll need quite a bit of space in the installation area. These tanks require a pad or tray for the installation as well as all of the plumbing that runs to it. This all adds up to a lot of space that's consumed for these water heating systems. If you're installing your hot water heater in the basement, that's probably not much of a concern unless you're hoping to finish the basement and want as much space as possible.
On-demand hot water heaters can be installed almost anywhere, and since they are installed within the plumbing lines themselves, they don't require any floor space. When you're looking to free up some room, these are great options for your home's water heater needs.
Talk with a water heater installation contractor today for more information about your options.