All people want to live in their houses with convenience. They want to enjoy the great benefits of machines that provide various functions for feeling safe and cozy. Thus, everyone wants to have hot water to take a shower, bath, wash dishes, and something of the kind. Water can be heated thanks to a special appliance known as a water heater. It’s only necessary to decide which ones to choose. The choice always stands between tankless water heater vs. tank.
Each option serves the same needs. Nonetheless, tankless water heater benefits differ from the one offered by the unit with a tank. One should take into account the water heater capacity, its size, power, and so on. If you are puzzled by this vital question, we will help you. We propose to read our informative review. It provides the pros and cons of both options, and this data will surely help you to make the right choice.
Energy Sources
First of all, we would like to begin our comparison with what “nourishes” water heaters. Both options will offer you several types to choose from. If you prefer a tank water heater, its sources will be:
- Gas (natural);
- Propane;
- Electricity.
When reviewing a tankless hot water tank, we have two sources of energy. These are as follows:
- Condensing;
- Non-condensing.
We have mentioned these sources with a purpose. As you have a pretty rich choice, you should decide which one suits you the best. Obligatorily take into account the existing pipes and whether your heater can be connected to them. Perhaps there is no chance to save them, and you will have to replace them with new ones.
You should also give heed to the size you require. It depends on several crucial factors. These are:
- Location in your house;
- The model and type;
- GMP;
- Flow rate;
- Temperature rise;
- Climate.
Each point is vital and should be taken into account without exceptions. A lot depends on how much water you use daily and monthly. It will tell you what type (with a tank or without it) is better to opt for.
Tankless Water Heaters
We will start our review with tankless water heaters. If you choose this type, you may choose between gas and electric options. The main difference is the flow rate, which is higher in gas options. They heat water much faster. It depends on the gallons used every minute.
Before you install this or that type, give heed to the number of devices that will sue water. Thus, you will know what size is required to secure the needs of your family. After you determine the flow rate, decide what option suits you better.
- Electric option. A lot depends on the tankless water heater cost. The electric variant is cheaper. It rarely gets out of the range of hundred dollars and is never more than a thousand dollars. Besides, it is cheaper to install this option as it has no venting. Another good reason to choose it is its size. No venting means more space! Therefore, it can be installed in many places. The common flow rate for this type varies from 3 to 8 GMP.
- Gas option. This option is more expensive in comparison with the electric equivalent. As it requires ventilation, its cost is surely higher. Moreover, you may not be able to connect it yourself due to safety measures and will need to hire a contractor because it must be connected to the gas line. The maintenance is more frequent and expensive. In the meanwhile, the flow rate is 8 GMP and higher, which is a benefit for families with large water needs.
After we have reviewed the options of a tankless water heater, we should check its pros and cons. The pros are as follows:
- The life expectancy of 20 years;
- Can save a lot of space (especially if it’s an electric option);
- Swift delivery of water (about 2-3 gallons every minute).
The cons are as follows:
- They cannot serve too many users at the same time;
- The cost may be pretty high;
- Gas units may have a pilot light that burns all the time long and so steadily consumes more energy;
- May force you to make some major changes to adapt the size to the space where it will be installed.
Tank Water Heaters
Now we will switch to the units with tanks. Those tanks can contain from 30 to 50 gallons of water. You should fill the tank with water, and it will keep some amounts of water hot all the time long. It seems to be very practical in use because you always have the water hot. However, it will take some time to get foiled and heated again if you use it multiple times. For example, your shower will pour cold water for some time.
You can choose from gas, electric, and propane option. However, this choice is sometimes limited because of the laws and natural peculiarities of the area you live in. Let’s review one situation. You live in an area where gas and propane are limited. The water heaters based on them will be very expensive. Therefore, your choice is obvious – an electric option.
The main pros of the tank type are as follows:
- Low cost and installation;
- Much easier to operate and maintain;
- Can heat large amounts of water.
Here are the main cons of this type:
- You should wait pretty long until the tank is refilled;
- Can function reliably for 10-15 years only;
- Cannot last for several consecutive uses;
- Is commonly frequently replaced;
- A higher energy bill.
The Bottom Line
As you can see, the choice is not that easy and obvious. Each option has pros and cons. You should consider each possibility in detail to understand which one suits you better.
