Water heaters are useful appliances that provide homes with a continuous, steady supply of hot water. These units are essential upgrades for everyday tasks, such as showering, laundry, and washing dishes.
When browsing for the best water heater, you’ll come across two main varieties: tank and tankless. While they both offer the same purpose of heating water, their practicality and cost-efficiency will vary.
To help you decide which kind of water heater bathroom shower to get, take a look at our comprehensive comparison:
Going Traditional: Tank Water Heaters
Tank water heaters, often referred to as storage heaters, are a variety of water heaters that store and warm water in an insulated tank. These units are large and will need ample space for installation. Tankless water heaters are typically fueled by natural gas or electricity, with the latter offering a more cost-efficient power source.
Tankless water heaters feature temperature and pressure-release valves that regulate the temperature and pressure levels inside the tank.
The Advantages of Tank Water Heaters
Tank water heaters usually have a much more affordable initial cost than their tankless counterparts, making them the best option for homeowners with limited budgets. Additionally, their tanks can keep the stored water hot enough for long periods. This feature is handy during power cuts when the unit won’t be able to activate its heating elements.
The Disadvantages of Tank Water Heaters
Lately, tank water heaters are being replaced by tankless units due to several cons.
First, tank water heaters are less economical since they need to keep their heating elements turned on to maintain tank temperatures. This consumes plenty of electricity and will be wasteful when you are not using the heater.
Tank water heaters also need plenty of space for their large tanks, which is not ideal for small bathrooms or apartments. Installing the tank might also be more expensive.
Compact and Effective: Tankless Water Heaters
Tankless water heaters are more compact than tank heaters. These units do not have tanks for storing water and instead are installed directly into the plumbing system to heat water on demand. Tankless heaters are more expensive than tank varieties but are more cost-effective in the long run.
The Advantages of Tankless Water Heaters
Tankless water heaters are small and compact, allowing them to fit in many spaces. Due to the absence of a tank, these units can be installed anywhere and at an affordable rate.
Plus, tankless water heaters are more economical since they only heat water when the tap or shower is turned on. Tankless heaters also promise an unlimited hot water supply.
The Disadvantages of Tankless Water Heaters
Tankless water heaters are costlier to buy than storage water heaters. Still, they can help save more money in the long run by reducing energy consumption and making installation easy.
The Verdict
While storage water heaters are more affordable to buy, tankless water heaters deliver greater benefits. They can last longer, save on installation and power consumption costs, and ensure a steady flow of hot water to your home.