Choosing the best water heater for your home has become more challenging in recent years as new designs have brush off the industry and rising energy costs have raised consumers’ eyebrows. In spite of the promise of the high-tech water heaters of the future, most folks in need of a water heater today still find themselves facing the same decision of which is the best the tank or tankless water heater? Unfortunately for consumers, that decision is not easy to make. Costs and efficiencies vary generally, and the least-expensive water heater might be the one that puts the biggest drain on your savings account over time. Here are some answers to common questions about the differences between tank and tankless water heaters, including facts about how each type works and how to size one exactly to meet your needs. Tankless Water Heater Tankless water heaters don’t keep a supply of hot water on hand; they heat water only as needed. Tankless models used as a home’s primary hot water source usually are fueled by gas, but some electric models are available. Although they decreasereserved heat loss and consume less energy than tank-style models, tankless water heaters have limitation of their own. On the one hand, they require a specific demand for hot water before they turn on (at least 1/2 gal. per minute), which makes them difficult to use with low-volume recirculating systems. In other way, too much demand for hot water at one time (two or more people showering at once) can test a tankless heater’s capacity. The temperature of incoming water can affect the heater’s performance and must be considered when choosing the right size. Also, endless hot water can be abused, diminishing or eliminating energy savings. Finally, retrofitting a tankless water heater can be an expensive proposal. Pros: ? Lower life-cycle costs ? Endless hot water ? Runs only when needed, offering the potential to save energy ? Accurate temperature control ? Small and space saving; typically wall-hung Cons: ? Higher up-front costs ? Complicated installation; larger fuel lines often required ? Electricity required for most models to operate ? Untreated water can lead to scaling and reduce or halt flow ? Can suffer freeze damage if improperly installed ? Minimum hot-water flow required ? Recirculation is more difficult, with potential to compromise warranty Tank Water Heater Tank water heaters are the most common Type of water heater in homes today; tank-style models keep hot water ready for use in 30 to 120-gal storage tanks. One thing about tank water heaters that compares to a tankless water heater is that they use very little gas and electricity. Even though tankless water heater manufacturers flaunt about the low gas usage, remember that most gas companies still charge you a minimum amount every month just to have gas service. In my opinion the two even out because a tank only uses about the minimum amount of gas usage every month and the gas that it takes to run a tankless, after it has not been used, cost about the same in the end. Another pro is replacing and installing a tank water heater can be very cost effective versus a new tankless water heater. A tank-style water heater that is properly sized can supply plenty of hot water even for a large family. If the tank is too small, hot water is depleted quickly. If the tank is too large, energy is wasted maintaining the temperature of excess hot water. In fact, reserved heat loss is the greatest disadvantage of tank-style heaters. Pros: ? Lowest up-front costs ? Easiest installation and replacement ? Some models don’t require electricity to operate ? Uses a wide variety of available fuels ? Can be located anywhere in a home ? Works well with recirculating systems Cons: ? Standby heat loss ? Can run out of hot water ? Tanks are large and heavy ? Higher life-cycle costs ? Temperature control might not be precise This article submission is brought to you by Helen Dickerson who works for Aruba Sotheby's International Realty. She is fond of writing about Aruba Real Estate as well as new and interesting facts about online marketing, real estate and how to a make good profit from it.
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