If you are considering installing a new water heater into your home, you should consider the various benefits of traditional tank water heaters and tankless water heaters. In certain respects, both systems provide specific advantages. In order to make the best decision, a homeowner needs to understand both systems as well as his or her family’s water usage needs.
The water heater professionals at Black Horse Pike Plumbing and Heating have the knowledge and expertise to help you with the water heater installation process. They can assess your family’s water heating needs and help you decide which system would best serve your family. Their water heater installation and repair contractors provide premier service in the Camden and Gloucester County areas.
Water Heater System Basics
The obvious difference between traditional water heaters and tankless water heaters is the presence or absence of a tank. Traditional systems have large tanks that generally hold around eighty gallons of water, whereas tankless water heaters hold no water at all. This key difference results in different functional results between the two systems.
The traditional tank system has to heat the entire tank of water to temperature in order to supply your home with hot water. Once the water reaches temperature, constant energy is utilized to maintain the water at the desired heat level.
In contrast, tankless water heaters heat water only when someone turns on a hot water faucet. Because water is heated on demand, there is no energy utilized to maintain water at temperature when no one needs water in your home.
Another key difference between tankless and traditional water heaters is the distance between the heating system and the water usage point. Traditional water heaters are generally in a remote location in the home and supply large amounts of hot water via pipes. Tankless water heaters are generally installed at the water usage point.
Benefits of Traditional Water Heaters
Perhaps the best benefit of a traditional water heater is the lower initial price and practically universal compatibility. Because the systems are so common, they are cheaper than tankless water heater and most homes already have the pipe system in place to distribute warm water throughout the home.
The large volume of heated water also supplies dual benefits. First, only one traditional water needs to be installed in the average household, whereas, multiple tankless water heaters may have to be installed at various water usage sites throughout the home. Second, the large volume of water in a tank system allows it to service three simultaneous needs; whereas, tankless systems generally can support only two simultaneous usages.
Tankless Water Heater Benefits
The benefits of a tankless system all stem from its ability to heat water on demand. When a traditional water heater spends all of its water, the household is without hot water for as long as it takes to refill and reheat the entire tank. With a tankless system, your family can enjoy and endless stream of hot water.
Because tankless systems heat water on demand, no energy is wasted trying to keep that water at temperature when hot water is not needed in your home. As such, tankless systems are more energy efficient and result in substantial savings on monthly utility bills. A tankless water heater can save a homeowner up to $165 dollars a year.
When deciding whether to install a traditional or tankless water heater, it is always helpful to seek the advice of a licensed professional. They can assess your family’s needs as well as the particular layout of your home to best determine which system would work for your residence. The water heater experts at Black Horse Pike Plumbing & Heating can help Camden and Gloucester County residents with this important decision.
