Tank VS. Tankless Water Heaters
When shopping for a new water heater for your Duluth or Hastings home, you will quickly discover that you have a significant choice to make. The most common type of water heater in the area is the traditional unit with the holding tank. The other option is the tankless water heater. While many homeowners consider these to be the new technology in water heating, they have been in service for nearly a century.
What Is A Tankless Water Heater?
You might have heard of on-demand water heaters before. That is another name for the tankless water heater. The claim to fame of these units is that they heat water only when there is a need for it, so they are very energy efficient. The other bonus is that the supply of hot water is endless. It keeps heating water as long as a faucet or shower is running. Even with that infinite supply of hot water, Consumer Reports found tankless water heaters to be 22% more energy-efficient than their traditional natural gas counterparts.
Why Traditional Water Heaters Consume More Energy
Most homeowners take great comfort in knowing that they have a 30 to 50-gallon tank of hot water at their disposal 24/7. But they are not thinking about all of the hours of the day and night that their water heater is reheating the water in the tank for no reason. So first, add up all the time that you are asleep or away from home. Then add in the time you are not using hot water. In most cases, that comes to about 21 hours a day. But your water heater is consuming natural gas or electricity to keep that tank of water hot. That constant reheating of the water in the holding tank makes traditional water heaters less energy efficient than a tankless unit.
Tankless Water Heater Pros And Cons
Tankess water heaters consume less energy which means more affordable utility bills. In addition, they have a life expectancy of about 50% longer than a traditional water heater. And the lack of a holding tank means there is less potential for leaks due to rust and corrosion. Finally, the units are very compact and easy to place in a bathroom or utility closet.
The drawbacks to tankless water heaters include a higher purchase price and the potential for added costs to update your home's plumbing. Tankless water heaters also need to be sized correctly. If the unit is undersized, you might discover that it cannot deliver enough hot water to meet your household's needs.
To learn more about your options for a new tankless or traditional water heater, call the Paul Bunyan Plumbing And Drains team at 612-340-1444. Our licensed plumbers have years of experience installing both conventional and tankless water heaters throughout the community. We will answer all your questions and provide you with the most cost-effective solutions for your hot water needs. And each installation is back by our complete parts and labor warranty.