Tank vs. Tankless Water Heaters: What’s Best for Sacramento Homes?
When it comes to getting a new water heater for your home, you have two main options: tank and tankless. Both offer great benefits for homeowners along with potential drawbacks. We’ll take a look at the pros and cons so that you can make a better-informed purchasing decision for your Sacramento home.
Operation Comparison
Before we dive into the features and drawbacks of each, it’s important to understand how each appliance operates. A traditional water heater is also known as a conventional or tank-style water heater. It has a large cylindrical storage tank that holds hot water. It works by continually heating water to your desired temperature setting. Whenever you turn on your hot water faucet, water from the water heater disperses through your plumbing lines, and new water enters for heating. Traditional water heaters can run on gas or electricity.
Tankless water heaters operate very differently, by only running whenever you want hot water. For example, when you turn on your hot water faucet, hot water moves through the line that runs through your water heater. As the water flows through your water heater, it heats up to your desired temperature setting. Unlike traditional water heaters, tankless appliances heat water only when you demand it from your faucets.
Up-Front Cost
One of the bigger factors that a lot of homeowners consider when purchasing a new appliance for their household is its up-front price. In a side-by-side comparison, tankless units are more expensive than traditional water heaters. For a tankless water heater, you can expect to pay around 1.5 to 2 times the price of a tank-style appliance. Many tankless units qualify for a federal tax credit that can help you recoup some of the up-front purchase price.
One thing to note with tankless water heater installation is that you may need to upgrade some of your existing plumbing features to accommodate the new water heater. For example, if you want an appliance that runs on natural gas, you may need to increase the size of your gas supply line to provide enough fuel for it to work correctly. You may also need to change any wiring to a higher gauge to accommodate the new unit. It’s important to keep this in mind when requesting a quote for the installation of a tankless water heater.
Energy Savings
When considering a tank vs. tankless water heater, one of the biggest things you’ll notice is the difference in efficiency. An energy-efficient water heater is ideal for any household because it translates to lower utility bills for you throughout the entire year. A traditional tank water heater continuously reheats water in its storage tank. This causes standby heat loss and higher energy consumption.
Tankless systems heat water only when you need it, which means more efficiency. Many homes see an efficiency boost of between 25% and 35% for the year. Many homeowners find that the energy savings they receive from their tankless water heaters help to offset the higher up-front purchase price.
Daily Performance
A big factor to consider is the overall performance of a new water heater. You need a water heater that can keep up with your daily needs without running out of hot water. A traditional tank water heater is limited by its tank size. These come in different ranges, anywhere from 30 gallons all the way up to 120 gallons or more, depending on your household size. Once the water runs out of your tank, it needs adequate time to heat the incoming water. If household members are doing multiple things at once, like taking showers back-to-back, running laundry, and doing dishes, you may run out of hot water.
Tankless water heaters provide continuous hot water on demand because they’re heating water as it flows through the line. This is ideal for situations like those we mentioned above. However, tankless water heaters can struggle if multiple fixtures are running simultaneously. Owners of larger homes typically find they need to install multiple tankless water heaters to keep up with their hot water demands.
Expected Lifespan
In general, most conventional water heaters last for 8 to 12 years with proper care and upkeep. If you have issues like hard water or you don’t keep up with maintenance, your appliance won’t last as long. On the other hand, a tankless water heater in Sacramento can last 20 years or more with proper care and upkeep. This is twice the lifespan of a traditional tank water heater.
Maintenance Needs
Maintenance is a big, overlooked factor when it comes to choosing between a tank vs. tankless water heater. Tank water heaters typically require minimal maintenance with annual flushing. Because they have fewer internal components, they tend to have lower repair costs. Tankless water heaters require annual servicing and descaling maintenance to stay in tip-top condition. Because they do have more complex components, they can be more expensive to repair. You should never skip maintenance on either type of water heater, as it can reduce the appliance’s operating efficiency and overall lifespan.
Sizing Requirements
One of the most notable differences between a traditional tank and tankless water heater is their size. Tankless water heaters are significantly smaller, as they’re typically rectangular boxes that are simply mounted on the wall. Tank water heaters take up a lot more space due to their large cylindrical storage tank. If you have a small home, it could be challenging or inconvenient to install a tank water heater.
You also need to keep proper unit sizing in mind. One of the biggest mistakes that a lot of homeowners make is choosing an undersized water heater. You need a water heater that’s appropriately sized for your hot water demands. Contacting a professional is crucial for proper sizing.
Older Homes
If you have an older home, there are a few things to consider when making your ultimate water heater purchasing decision. Many older Sacramento homes have smaller gas lines, limited electrical capacity, and older venting systems. To upgrade to a tankless water heater, you will likely need to upgrade all these features in your home. This includes electrical panel upgrades, gas line resizing, and venting modifications. This can lead to significant increases in the installation costs compared to those of a traditional tank water heater.
Expert Water Heater Installation Services
Drain Time Plumbing offers expert water heater installation services for Sacramento and the surrounding communities. We can also assist with all your plumbing installation, replacement, and repair needs.
Contact our office today to schedule an appointment with one of our friendly plumbing professionals.
