Tankless vs. Traditional Water Heaters
Water heaters have been around for many years. The need for a water heater is undeniable. We need hot to warm water for showers, washing dishes and almost every personal and household chore, especially in a cold weather. Every home needs an efficient water heater that is affordable and easy to maintain.
Homeowners all over the United States, including places like Fort Worth, TX have some kind of a water heater at their homes to meet their regular needs of hot water. There are two types of water heaters. The first one is the traditional type that is still most commonly used in houses and the other one is tankless type. Whether they are traditional or tankless water heaters in Fort Worth, TX, they both have their advantages and work differently.
Traditional Water Heaters
First, let’s talk about the conventional water heaters. They basically have a storage tank that is insulated and can store water up to 30 to 50 gallons. Water heats up in the tank and then passes forward through a pipe when needed. The pipe comes out from the top of the tank to deliver the hot water to destinations like bathroom, kitchen and other sinks.
Traditional water heaters either use electricity or natural gas as fuel. Natural gas storage tanks consume about half the amount of energy and the operation cost is also less than the electric storage tanks. However, they initially cost more than the electric models. There are temperature and pressure release valves too that open when the temperature or pressure goes beyond the preset levels.
Pros
- Traditional water heaters have low initial cost.
- Installation cost is also low.
- Maintenance and repair is cheaper than the tankless water heaters in Fort Worth, TX, because of a simpler operating system.
Cons
- They have high utility bills.
- They occupy a large space because of their size.
- Need to be frequently replaced.
- They cannot be placed outside home unlike tankless water heaters in Fort Worth, TX.
- They have a short life.
Tankless Water Heaters
Tankless water heaters basically use electricity or gas as fuel to heat up the cold water on-demand. They do not have a tank to store hot water. The on-demand, tankless water heaters in Fort Worth, TX, are up to 24 to 34 percent more efficient than storage tank type water heaters. The purchasing cost is certainly higher but the long life and low maintenance make up for it. Tankless water heaters in Fort Worth, TX have a useful life of 20+ years, whereas storage tank type water heaters only last 10 to 15 years before self-rupturing and probably flooding your basement or entire home. If you install tankless water heaters in Fort Worth, TX at each water outlet in your home, you may save energy up to 25 to 50 percent.
Pros
- It’s a big money and time saver.
- Tankless water heaters have long useful lives of more than 20 years. They typically last between 20 and 30 years, which is double the expected life of traditional water heaters.
- They are space-friendly and do not consume large space, unlike storage tank type heaters.
- Tankless water heaters in Fort Worth, TX, heat up water quickly. You don’t even have to wait for 15 to 20 seconds. You will have hot water whenever you need it.
Cons
- High purchase cost.
- Installation can be costly.
- Output of hot water may vary depending upon the number of showers at your home that are being used simultaneously.
In Comparison with Each Other
The use of both traditional and tankless water heaters in Fort Worth, TX, is wide. In order to assess how they stand against each other, let’s look into some important aspects one by one.
Convenience
The biggest problem, undoubtedly, regarding the water usage at homes is not having enough hot water. By the time the last person gets in the shower, hot water may have disappeared. But, that’s the problem with storage tank type water heaters only.
Traditional tank type water heaters heat and store limited water in tank. Bigger tanks are possible, but they cost more and will still have a limited capacity.
Tankless water heaters in Fort Worth, TX, only heat water when it’s needed. You simply need to turn the faucet and your water will get heated up almost immediately. These tanks provide indefinite amount of hot water.
Efficiency
Energy efficiency is an important aspect to consider whenever you look for a home appliance, or anything. In this matter, the two heaters are drastically different.
A tank type heater consumes a lot of energy because it runs continuously. It will be heating water even when you don’t need hot water and hence, lots of hot water might be wasted as well.
Tankless water heaters in Fort Worth, TX, are energy efficient because they heat water as and when needed. They do not run continuously and can be turned off by closing the faucet. Tankless water heaters were basically invented to be energy efficient.
Cost
Traditional water heaters cost less at the time of purchasing but they require enough maintenance, costing you more over time. They also wear out soon.
Tankless water heaters have a higher purchasing cost but you save a lot of money later on because they save energy and do not need require much maintenance. They also have a long useful life.
Summary
Traditional tank type water heaters are more commonly used in houses but tankless water heaters are a more beneficial replacement. Although, the purchasing cost of tankless water heaters is higher than traditional water heaters, tankless water heaters are more energy efficient, last longer, take less space and make you save money for a long course.
You can get tankless water heaters in Fort Worth, TX, from Benjamin Franklin Plumbing. We also provide the professional and top-quality service of installing and maintaining them. To avail these services, simply contact us and take advantage of the on-demand water heaters.