How Your Plumbing in Chico Works: Traditional vs. Tankless Water Heaters

[fa icon="calendar"] February 21, 2014 / by Home Services Expert

hot water bath Your hot water system is a vital element in your home. The availability of hot water when you need it is essential for running your home. In today's world you have the option of using the traditional tank-type water heaters or the newer tankless units. If you are in the market for a water heating system for your plumbing in Chico it pays to look at both types of appliances.

Plumbing in Chico - Tank or Tankless?

Taking time to evaluate your water heating system might be a wise thing to do. Most homes still use the more traditional tank-type heaters. By most estimates these units consume about 30% of a home's energy budget. That's a rather larger percentage.

Let's look at some of the details of both types of water heaters and their advantages and disadvantages:

Initial cost

The cost to install a tank-type water heater is much less than a tankless unit. Also keep in mind that if you are moving to a tankless type there could be extra costs involved with the installation.

Operating costs

In general, the cost of operating the tankless appliance will be lower than the tank-type. This is because the tank-type model has to continuously heat the water held in the tank while the tankless unit only uses energy when hot water is needed. Tankless heaters are typically 24% to 34% more efficient than tank models.

Size

If you have space issues in your home a tankless water heater will take up a lot less space than a tank-type model. Also, the tankless model can be mounted on the wall saving up floor space underneath.

Rebates and incentives

Look into these when considering what type of water heater to buy. Many utilities offer incentives to purchase newer units and there may also be state and federal tax advantages also. Your plumber should be able to help you out in understanding these.

Lifespan

A properly maintained tank-type water heater will enjoy a lifespan of 10-13 years. Tankless models are projected to last up to 20. There is a clear advantage in life expectancy with a tankless unit.

Hot water output

A tank-type water heater stores plenty of hot water, generally 30-60 gallons. These units can also rapidly heat up hot water as more is needed. This is typically more than enough hot water to take care of the needs of a large family even if many devices using hot water are used at the same time. Tankless models may not be able to keep up with the hot water demands of a large family or if several devices that need hot water are used at the same time.

Instantaneous energy requirements

Tank-type water heaters may use 30,000 to 50,000 to heat up water. Tankless models use from 150,000 to 200,000 to heat up water on demand. If you have low water pressure a tankless model may not be able to produce enough hot water for all your needs due to BTU limitations.

To tank or not to tank?

When considering a tank-type or tankless water heater from you plumbing in Chico you will have to look at many variables. As you can see from the points outlined above there are advantages and disadvantages to both models.

The system you decide on may be affected by the size of your family or the amount of money you have to spend on the system. Getting the help of a qualified Chico plumber may be essential to find the best system for you. Choose a water heater wisely and enjoy hot water for years to come.