For many decades, homes had only one type of water heater to choose from—the storage tank water heater. You know the type: a water heater with a large tank of gallons of water kept at a steady temperature for immediate use.
In recent decades, the tankless water heater has mounted a challenge to this standard. More and more homeowners are choosing tankless models each year. The tank water heater remains the most common type, but there are many reasons to consider tankless if you have plans to replace your current water heater in the near future.
The Benefits of Each
Storage tank water heaters have the benefit of familiarity. You know what to expect from one. They also work well with most existing plumbing and gas systems, with no need to make significant changes to put in a new unit. They cost less to purchase and install, as we’ll explain more below, and they also have less expensive repair costs when they do break down.
The biggest benefit of tankless water heaters is energy efficiency: tankless systems only consume energy when there’s a demand for water, and this significantly cuts down on energy consumption. They take up very little space; many units can hang from walls. As long as tankless water heaters are properly sized for a home, they can provide unlimited hot water.
Installation Costs
Tankless water heaters cost more to install than traditional models, and this often affects homeowners’ decisions about which unit to purchase. If you’re considering a tankless water heater installation, you’ll want to balance the initial cost with projected savings from operation. Our technicians can help you with this.
The average cost range for a tank water heater is between $800 and $1,600. The cost for a tankless water heater ranges from $1,000 to $3,000. Neither of these ranges includes the cost for labor, which is also higher for tankless models.
Maintenance Requirements
Although the two water heater types have different maintenance needs, they both require maintenance at the same annual frequency. It’s not true that tankless systems can get by with less frequent maintenance visits, which you may have heard. It’s important for technicians to clean out any sediment build-up in the intakes of a tankless water heater, as their narrow passages can easily become clogged. Tank water heaters need routine flushing to remove sediment build-up at the bottom of the tank and to help prevent the the early onset of corrosion.
As long as you put your needs for water heater service in Rochester, NY in our hands, we’ll ensure your water heater receives the level of maintenance it requires for a long and efficient service life.
Call Us to Learn More
Making the decision to install a new water heater may seem overwhelming with the options now available. We want to make the process less stressful and ensure that you have the ideal new water heater for your home’s needs. Feel free to contact us to learn more about how to find the best water heater for your household.
Triple O Heating, Cooling, Electrical & Plumbing Is Your One-stop Shop for HVAC, Plumbing and Electrical. Call us to learn more about tank and tankless water heaters.