One of the easiest home comfort systems to take for granted is the water heater. Even though we rely on them daily, they’re usually out of sight, and therefore out of mind, too.
So when it comes time to replace a water heater, you may feel rushed to make a decision, especially if you woke up and were surprised one day that yours no longer works. Before you rush into this decision, however, we recommend that you consider your water heater options! Yes, tank models are the most common, and today’s storage tank water heaters are much more efficient than those of even just a decade ago. But what is the best choice for your specific needs?
Choosing a Tank Water Heater
As we mentioned above, tank water heaters are the most common systems around. The reason so many homeowners still rely on these types of water heaters is because they tend to simply do the job that’s required of them, and if well-maintained they last a long time.
The problem is, there are often energy efficiency issues with storage tank water heaters. You see, water heater storage tanks come in different sizes, by the gallon. Why this need for different sizes? Because once your tank water heater’s hot water supply runs out, there’s a delay in time as it heats up a new batch. So when you have a smaller reserve of water to draw from, you may not get enough hot water for the day. Alternatively, if you have too big of a reserve of water to draw from, you’re losing the heat through standby heat loss.
So your energy bills can be higher than necessary and you may not be meeting your family’s hot water needs.
Choosing a Tankless Water Heater
Tankless water heaters are growing in popularity as an excellent alternative to tank heaters, that function in a fundamentally different way. As the name implies, they do not use a storage tank. Rather, these systems create hot water through electrical resistance. The hot water only comes when you need it–which is why they’re also known as on-demand water heaters.
This makes tankless water heaters the more efficient option for many homes. There’s no standby heat loss, and therefore no wasted energy. In addition, tankless systems last about 5-10 years longer than your average storage tank water heater.
There is a potential drawback, however. These water heaters can’t keep up if demand is too high. What we mean by this is if you have multiple plumbing appliances and fixtures demanding hot water at the same time, then the tankless water heater might not be able to keep up.
The best way to determine what type of water heater installation will be best for you and your home is to contact our professionals. We can assess your home and your family’s water heating needs to guide you in making an educated decision regarding water heater installation.
Contact DeHart Plumbing, Heating, and Air Inc. today for professional Modesto water heater services!