Tank or Tankless: Which Type of Water Heater Is Better?

If you need to replace your older water heater, you may have considered upgrading your older unit to a more effective and efficient system. And if you currently own a storage tank water heater, you may have heard that tankless water heaters could offer greater performance and efficiency. But is this really true?

For the most part, choosing the right water heater depends on your budgetary needs and how much hot water you use. For some homeowners, a tankless water heater may be the most efficient way to heat the water in their home. For others, however, a traditional storage tank water heater is still a great choice. To talk to an expert about a new water heater installation in Glassboro, be sure to call an expert at SPS Mechanical Inc. But if you want to know more about the benefits of each of these systems, we’ve provided this quick guide.

Storage Tank Water Heaters
Even with all of the talk about tankless water heaters, conventional storage tank water heaters remain the most common type of unit found in homes. These units heat water through a natural heat rising process. Water enters the top of the tank through a dip tube that leads to the bottom. At the bottom of the tank, there is a gas or electric heating element that heats water, which then rises to the top where it leaves through another pipe. Most homeowners choose storage tank water heaters because of the relatively low cost of installation.

Tankless Water Heater
However, many storage tank water heater users complain that it cannot heat water fast enough to meet high demands in some homes. Plus, there is a lot of standby energy loss because water is heated throughout the day. Tankless water heaters do not need a tank because water is heated instantly when a hot water tap is turned on, which means they use a lot less energy. However, tankless units cannot operate as effectively if multiple hot water taps are used at once. If this is the case in your house, you may need to install multiple units.

A tankless water heater may be a better option for some homeowners. However, if you haven’t had problems with energy efficiency with your current tank, you may choose to replace it with a similar system. For installation or more information about any type of water heater in Glassboro, contact an expert at SPS Mechanical Inc. today!