Is your water heater about to fail? If so, it’s time to start considering the pros and cons of tankless water heaters vs. traditional water heaters. It’s better to make your decision before taking cold showers is a new part of your daily routine.
A water heater will give you a few warning signs before it fails (or leaks). When you have rusty water only when you use hot water, it could mean the inside of your water heater is deteriorating. Loud banging noises coming from it is a sure sign it’s on its last leg. Finally, water pooling around the heater could mean it’s leaking, but it could also mean there is a bad connection.
Age is the most common reason for replacing a water heater. Typically, you can expect it to last about 8 to 10 years. If you think your tank is about to call it quits, the good news is now tankless water heaters are an option.
Traditional Water Tank
This is the type of water heater you most likely grew up with and have in your home now. It is a large tank that can hold preheated water to be used whenever you need it. Smaller ones can store a few gallons and others can save up to 50 gallons of pre-heated water.
Pro
One of the primary benefits of a traditional water heater is they are inexpensive. Upfront installation costs are much lower in this system. If you are replacing an old one, it’s easy to put a new one in its place. For smaller families or individuals in smaller homes, this cost-effective solution is a safe bet.
With a larger tank size, a traditional water heater can provide hot water on demand and over several uses for smaller homes. Overall ease of use and lower up-front costs have made this the go-to system for years.
Cons
One of the downsides is the tank itself is large and bulky. They take up a noticeable amount of space in your home. This type of water heater is made to keep water hot even when you aren’t using it which can drive up energy costs too.
Its large size may be a benefit when you need hot water. However, the hot water can quickly turn cold if there is heavy use. With a hot water tank, nobody wants to be the last person to take a shower in a large family or after someone who takes their time getting clean.
Tankless Water Heaters
This is a newer innovation, and it is impressing homeowners everywhere. This type of water heater is much smaller than the traditional one. Its design allows you to heat a few gallons of water at a time, but it does so at a moments notice.
Pro
A smaller footprint in your home means you're space for storage or other appliances. It's small and long-lasting. Some can work for over 20 years, outliving the longest lasting traditional tanks. Once your home is set up for a tankless water heater, replacing it is a snap.
The biggest draw for these types of units is their low energy costs. Since they heat water on demand, they only run when you need them, which means no unnecessary heating when everyone is away from the home during the day.
Con
Tankless water heaters have a higher start-up cost. This cost can be prohibitive if you have a limited budget. Retrofitting a home setup for a traditional water heater can be a hindrance as well, adding to the overall cost of the system.
Some residential areas or towns could also require mechanical permits to install a new tankless water heater, which could increase both time and money investment.
Are you ready to go tankless? We can help!
We can also install a new traditional water heater in your home. Stop risking a cold shower, and call us today at (405) 895-6640 in North OKC or (405) 237-1414 in South OKC to start the installation process.
