When you first decide to replace your water heater, you will find that you have multiple options to consider. The two main categories of water heaters are tank and tankless. Each has its own benefits and disadvantages, thus you will want to weigh these heavily to determine what will work best for you.
When you first decide to replace your water heater, you will find thatyou have multiple options to consider. The two main categories of waterheaters are tank and tankless. Each has its own benefits anddisadvantages, thus you will want to weigh these heavily to determinewhat will work best for you.
What you need to know about a tank water heater system
A tank water heater system works by taking in water into an insulatedtank and heating it until the water is used. The tank can hold largeamounts of water and will allow users to utilize whatever is stored inthe tank. However, because the tank space is finite, the tank can runout of the heated water. When you have a larger family or group ofpeople, this can happen quite easily.
If the tank water heater system is made out of plastic, stainlesssteel, or copper, it will not leak, but if made out of any othermaterials, it can cause leaks and lessen the overall efficiency of thetank. The tank system will also naturally have mineral buildup in thetank after storing water over the years, which also lessens theefficiency as well as the amount of water that can be stored.
A typical tank water heater will last anywhere from two to nine yearsuntil it needs to be replaced. It can also take up a large amount ofspace in your home and need to be secured in some fashion in the eventof earthquakes and other natural disasters. Some studies have alsoshown that the warm water that is held in the tank is more prone tobacteria and other germ growth.
The tank water heater is quite bulky and can be hard to handle, butmust be elevated away from possible floods and kept far away from fumesthat may be dangerous.
A question of price?
Knowing this, the first question you may ask is why people still havethe tank system installed in their home. But the answer is complicated.Some homeowners are not willing to spend a little extra money for atankless system that can end up paying for itself in a few short years.The expense is worth it due to the benefits that the tankless systemcan provide – not to mention the lower energy bills.
But many homes still have tank water heaters installed; so many homeowners may never even give them another thought.
But a tankless system offers homeowners a way to heat their waterwithout having the think about every drop that they use. However, thereare specific benefits to having a tankless water heater that you willwant to consider:
• Increased energy efficiency • Longer life span • Greater safety • Ease of portability • Healthy • Guaranteed hot showers
A tankless water heater system allows families and couples the abilityto have hot water when they need it – not when the tank is full enough.