What Are the Differences Between a Tankless Hot Water Heater and Traditional Water Heaters?

If you are in the market for a new water heater, you may want to explore the differences between tankless and traditional hot water heaters. A traditional water heater heats a large tank of water and then sends it through the plumbing system as people need hot water through household appliances and plumbing fixtures. This is called batch heating. A tankless hot water heater works differently. It heats only as much as needed, so you never have to wait for the water to preheat. Keep reading to get more details about the differences between these two water heater types.

Convenience

A standard storage-style water heater has a large tank that stores hot water at all times, so you can draw it from the tap as needed. The problem with this traditional type of system is when multiple fixtures are running simultaneously, hot water flows from the tank while cold water replaces the hot water in use. It takes time to heat the cold water. Because of this, you will experience a delay in hot water coming out of all the fixtures. Plus, when you run out of hot water, you’ll have to wait until the tank reheats the supply. Because a tankless heater has no tank, there’s no delay or wait for the tank to refill. Many homeowners appreciate the convenience of having hot water on-demand.

Energy and Money Savings

A traditional water heater continuously stores and preheats water, so hot water will be available when you shower or do the laundry or dishes. Continuous preheating means you are using a lot of energy, which costs money. In contrast, a tankless water heater uses a gas or electric heat source to heat the water the moment you turn on the shower, washing machine, or dishwasher. When you are not using the hot water, the heater stops running, saving you energy and money.

Installation and Maintenance Costs

Traditional water heater installation is much less than what it costs to install a tankless version. However, with a tankless water heater, you will save money on energy and maintenance costs in the long run.

When it comes to maintenance, traditional water heaters require yearly flushing to eliminate the accumulated sediment and mineral buildup. Even then, the lifespan of a traditional version is only 10 to 13 years. Because the tankless has no storage tank, it needs less maintenance and can last up to 20 years.

Find the Water Heater Tank You Need at Progressive Plumbing

At Progressive Plumbing, you’ll find a friendly, knowledgeable team that can help you explore the pros and cons of a tankless vs. traditional water heater. We understand this is a big decision for your household and budget. Once you decide on the water heater type that’s right for you, we can provide professional installation to set the system up for success.

Connect with us online to learn more about the differences between a tankless hot water heater and traditional water heaters or to schedule services with Progressive Plumbing.