Water heaters are one of those things that many homeowners take for granted, even though it’s something that’s used every single day—could you imagine showering without hot water?
When it comes time to replace this system or install one in a newly constructed home, you want to make sure you’re getting one that matches your household’s specific needs, and isn’t going to cost more than necessary to run, right?
One of the biggest decisions you’ll have to make in this case, then, is whether to go with a traditional storage-tank water heater or do something different and go tankless. But what’s the difference? And is one better than the other? Read on to learn more about both systems.
If there is any home comfort system people take for granted, it’s typically their water heater—even though this is one of the appliances we all rely on the most! When it comes time to replace yours you’ll definitely notice it, but this isn’t a purchase you should rush into.
Standard storage-tank water heaters are the type most often found in homes today—it’s the conventional system that people are used to. They’re big, and very noticeable, even if “hidden” away in a closet. Therefore, even if you don’t spend a lot of time thinking about it, you do know that it needs service. After all, scaling from hard water can have a major negative impact on your water heater, allowing for a mineral buildup that clangs around and can ultimately cause damage to the system.
The time has come—you’ve had your tank water heater for 15, maybe even 20 years, and there is no denying that it’s just not up to the job of effectively and efficiently keeping water inside of it warm. Perhaps you noticed the hot water volume has decreased and family members are going without warm showers—or maybe you even noticed corrosion.
There are some appliances in your home you only use seasonally, like your air conditioner or heater. Because of their infrequent use, you probably pay a bit of attention to their care—scheduling maintenance and repairs when needed.
The short answer to this is going to be “probably!” But we promise to elaborate.