Tankless Water Heaters vs. Water Heaters

The Tank-Style Water Heater

Storage tank water heaters are the most common type of water heater primarily because of their low cost of installation. Just as the name suggests, they have an insulated tank that stores water which is heated as a batch. There are electric- and gas-powered models available. Storage tank water heaters have a low upfront installation cost, but they can run up your electricity or gas bills significantly compared to the other types. Another downside is the tank takes up a considerable amount of space.

Tankless Water Heater

Tankless water heaters, also known as demand-type water heaters, heat water as you need it. In this system, cold water is heated by a gas burner or electric elements as it travels through a pipe. This gives you a constant and instant supply of hot water without waiting for a storage tank of water to heat up. While the initial cost of a tankless water heater installation is greater than that of a tank-style water heater, the tankless water heater typically lasts longer. Further, throughout its life expectancy of more than 20 years, a tankless water heater will save money on electricity and water bills. It is estimated that tankless water heaters can be up to 35 percent more energy efficient than conventional storage tank water heaters.

Choosing the Right Size

Comparing the two water heaters is difficult since they each have a unique method of heating water. This becomes an issue when choosing the right size for your home. The output for a storage tank water heater is more or less fixed while the tankless water heaters output depends on its flow rate.

For the tank-style water heater, the general rule of thumb is to have about 10 to 15 gallons per person in the household. A two-person household can make do with a 24- to 30-gallon tank while a 40- to 50-gallon tank is sufficient for a 4-person household.

With the tankless water heater, the metric used is gallons-per-minute (gpm). Here is a list of typical flow rates that common fixtures use:

• Faucet: 1 gpm
• Shower: 2.5 gpm
• Bathtub, Dishwasher, Laundry Machine: 3 gpm

Calculate the maximum amount of hot water you would expect to use and choose your tankless water heater accordingly. So, a dishwasher, shower, and faucet running at the same time will demand about 6.5 gallons per minute.

Call Mr. Rooter Plumbing

If you need help choosing the right water heater for you, then call Mr. Rooter Plumbing to consult with a representative. We are happy to help with your water heater replacement or installation. Call now to schedule a experienced plumbers.