Probably one of the most important parts of your plumbing system that you may not even think about often is your water heater. However, you likely rely on it every day to do things like take a shower, clean your clothes, and even wash your dishes. Having a little knowledge about water heaters is essential for every homeowner so that they can make the appropriate decisions about which type is best for their home.
Tank vs. Tankless Water Heaters
There are two main types of water heaters that you can purchase for your home. The first is a tank water heater. This is the most traditional type of water heater that is easily identifiable by its cylindrical tank. A tank water heater can be powered by electricity, natural gas, or even propane.
This type of water heater will fill with water and its internal heating elements will heat up the water in its tank to whatever your desired temperature setting is. Whenever you use your hot water, you’ll get instant heat and new water will be forced into the water heater and reheated.
The second option you have is a tankless water heater. This can be powered by electricity, natural gas, or even propane. The main difference between the tank water heater and the tankless water heater is that there is no tank on the latter. Rather, when you turn on the hot water side of your faucet, water will be pumped through the tankless water heater and heated up as it gets delivered to your sink or shower. There is no reserve of water like with a tank-style water heater.
Capacity
Water heaters are available in all different sizes, so you can find the perfect one to match the capacity that you need for your home. A tank water heater is designated by a specific gallon capacity. Most tank water heaters run anywhere between 20- and 80-gallon capacities. Most homes will function best with a 40- to 50-gallon water heater. However, homes with more residents may require larger water heaters in the 75- to 80-gallon range.
When it comes to tankless water heaters, their capacity designation is given in gallons per minute. The average range for the tankless water heater is anywhere between 2 and 12 gallons per minute. Most homes will use between 5 and 10 gallons per minute. It can be helpful to have a plumbing professional assess your home’s water capacity needs so that you can get the appropriate water heater size to meet your typical demands.
Maintenance
Just like every other appliance in your home, a water heater is going to need regular maintenance to stay in tip-top condition. You’ll need to have a tank-style water heater serviced on an annual basis. These tasks include things like flushing the excess sediment out of your tank, checking the pressure release valve, and so forth. When it comes to a tankless water heater, the supply line is going to need to be flushed regularly to remove sediment buildup, and its water filter will also need to be cleaned.
Longevity
It’s vital to realize that there’s a stark difference in lifespan between a tank water heater and a tankless water heater. A traditional storage tank water heater will have a lifespan of around 10 to 15 years. On the contrary, a tankless water heater will have a lifespan of 20 years or more. The overall lifespan of your individual water heater is going to be highly dependent on the hardness of your water, the amount of maintenance that it receives, its fuel source, and so forth.
Cost
The cost between a tank and a tankless water heater is going to vary tremendously. A tank water heater is always going to be the cheaper option, coming in around $300 to $2,000. A tankless water heater is going to cost anywhere between $1,000 and $3,000, depending on the specific size you get. While cost is definitely an important factor to take into consideration, you also need to weigh out the unit’s lifespan, convenience, and features to get an accurate representation of what you’re getting for your investment.
Reliable Water Heater Service
Tuck & Howell, Inc. offers reliable water heater service for the entire Greenville, SC community. We can also assist with all of your heating, cooling, ductwork, indoor air quality, plumbing, crawlspace encapsulation, and sheet metal needs. Give us a call today to schedule your next service appointment.
