Are you torn between buying a tankless water heater or a storage tank water heater? Picking a suitable hot water system for your home can be a challenging task, particularly if you don't know how these two main water heating systems work. Tankless water heaters have many benefits, but they aren't always ideal for all situations. This is the reason most homes still have traditional water heaters.
Before hiring hot water service experts to install a new water heater, here are details of the main types of water heaters help you pick the right system.
Storage tank water heating system
This water heating system is very popular. Usually, cold water is heated with electricity or gas as it enters the tubular insulated tank. This heated water gets stored in the tank until someone opens the hot water tap in your home to use it. Because the water is kept in a reservoir until it's required, the system has to cycle on occasionally, heating the water to the desired temperature.
The drop of temperature (standby heat loss) makes storage tank water heaters unsuitable if you are searching for a more energy-efficient unit. What's more, if the hot water runs out, it may take several hours for the system to recover. However, this water heating system is relatively inexpensive to buy and install.
Tankless water heater
Unlike a storage tank water heater, this system doesn't store the heated water; it keeps heating the water as desired. Because hot water will not sit in the tank, the water is cleaner than what you'll get from a storage tank system that isn't maintained regularly.
Another advantage is the fact that this system is more energy efficient. Each time hot water is required, the heater is turned on, and then it'll heat the water rapidly. Within seconds, hot water will enter the plumbing system and get to the open faucet, meaning there isn't any standby heat loss. Most models operate on natural gas, electricity or propane. Gas units tend to be powerful but are not energy efficient like those that utilise electricity.
As you shop for this water heater, however, it's vital to buy the right size, depending on your household needs. When you buy a unit that's too small, it will be impossible to get enough hot water for servicing your entire household. Additionally, make sure you choose a model with high energy efficiency ratings.
Deciding between a tankless hot water heater and a storage tank water heater is a big decision, talk with an HVAC contractor about the one that would work best for you.