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Are you tired of waiting for hot water whenever your water heater’s storage tank empties? If yes, then you probably have a traditional water heater that takes its due time to reheat the water.

Water heaters are an expensive investment for homeowners in Arlington. After buying one of them, they have to bear with these units for at least one decade more. Most people decide on switching only when their old unit cannot operate anywhere while there are also some, who buy new water heaters when they are moving into another home.

Therefore, it’s essential to keep critical considerations in mind before buying a heater in Arlington. It’s necessary for residents of Arlington to consider the cost, longevity, and efficiency of the new machine.

In this article, we compare both traditional and tankless water heaters to help you find options that are best for you.

Traditional Water Heaters

Traditional or “storage-tank” water heaters are the standard among most homes in Arlington. One of the integral components of these units is an insulated tank. The tank typically holds 30-50 gallons of water depending on the model you have.

This tank heats and stores water inside it until people need that water for use. A pipe at the top of this tank is responsible for supplying hot water to different parts of the house. A system of pipes supplies hot water to the kitchen, bathrooms and other sinks.

Tankless Water Heaters

Tankless water heaters are different than traditional water heaters in several ways. Commonly, they’re known as on-demand water heaters because of their ability to supply hot water instantaneously.

Tankless water heaters warm water by using their high-power burners. Water is run through the heat exchanger and gets heated to the desired state. After that, the device supplies water to multiple faucets, sinks, and showers directly.

Why Traditional Water Heaters Are Outdated

Traditional water heaters are common in Arlington. They have a lower initial, maintenance and repair costs than tankless water heaters. In addition, these units are easier to replace.

However, low installation price isn’t everything when it comes to water heaters in Arlington. Traditional water heaters have several downsides that make it less favorable for homeowners in Arlington.

Wastage of Energy

Traditional water heaters heat and reheat the water to the pre-set temperature. So, the unit doesn’t consider how hot you need the water to be while heating. Instead, the storage heater wastes energy in overheating the water. This results in higher utility bills because of inefficient energy spending.

Higher Bills During Winter

In winter months, traditional water heaters need to function in cooler environments. As a result, they have to work harder to keep the temperature of water at an ideal level. It translates to even higher energy bills during winter.

Take Extra Space

Traditional water heaters are larger in space and occupy much more space than they need to. Because of their size, it’s also difficult to relocate these heaters. Unlike tankless heaters, traditional water heaters can’t be fixed outside homes.

Difficult to Use in Large Families

If you live in a large family, you’ll have problems when multiple people are taking showers simultaneously. It often happens in the early hours when everyone has to go to work or school. If the tank isn’t large enough, the hot water will soon run out. The last person to shower will have to bathe from the chilly water.

Shorter Lifespan

While traditional storage heaters are easier to replace than tankless heaters, they have to get replaced far more often. These heaters have a much shorter lifespan than tankless water heaters in Arlington.

How Are Tankless Water Heaters Better?

Traditional water heaters take more time to reheat the water.

Energy Efficient

However, tankless water heaters are more energy efficient than conventional storage models. Consumer reports found tankless water heaters to be 22% more energy efficient than an average gas-powered storage heater.

The efficiency of tankless water heaters in Arlington does not remain the same throughout. Homeowners in Arlington using less than 41 gallons of water each day can benefit from 24%-34% from tankless water heaters.

However, the efficiency of these units increases along with the use of water. People who use 86 gallons of water each day get increased efficiency of around 8%-14%.

Longer Lifespan

Nevertheless, tankless water heaters make up for their high initial cost by lasting longer than their traditional counterparts. Their normal lifespan exceeds 20 years on average.

This durability is a contrast to how long typical storage tanks last. Traditional water heaters last up to 10 years, 15 years if they are well-kept. The problem with these units is that once they meet their ends, they flood your basement with hot water.

Can Get Fixed Anywhere

Tankless water heaters are smaller in size but still pack a powerful punch. These water heaters are more high-performing and have no problems adjusting anywhere. Because tankless water heaters are small, they can get installed in small places quarters.

Moreover, you don’t even have to crowd your home with these heaters. Tankless water heaters can get installed on exterior walls if your home doesn’t have space for a water heater.

Tankless water heaters in Arlington have high initial costs compared to their counterparts. However, these heaters pay off over time and are cost-effective in the long run. Moreover, they can heat the water instantaneously and don’t run out of hot water.

Overall, tankless water heaters fare better than their traditional counterparts. These heaters are definitely worth the extra cost in the end.

To get your tankless water heater installed today, contact Benjamin Franklin Plumbing now. With their services, you can also avail added services such as comprehensive plumbing and HVAC solutions.

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing also offers repair installation and maintenance services for traditional water heaters as well. You can visit their website to know more about their plumbing services in Arlington. Moreover, you can call them at 817-983-7876 to get their expert opinion on the model you should buy.