For our everyday household activities, we need hot water. Among various types of water heaters available in the market, which one will be the best for you? Particularly, between tank vs tankless water heater– what is the best way to heat water? This is a very common question among water heater users.
During taking a shower or washing our hands, we need lukewarm water. Scalding water might also be necessary for some other usage. You will enjoy a comfortable life if you can find a suitable water heater for you that best fits your utility pattern. In contrast, a water heater may discommode you if you don’t choose it correctly. If you are in a rush, you might need hot shower water without waiting for a second. You might want warm water to clean your pan right after finishing cooking without any wait.
Comparison between Tank and Tankless Water Heater
If we want to know the differences between the instant water heater and storage water heater, we have to discuss the pros and cons of both types.
Definition of Tanked Water Heater
A storage tank water heater has a water reservoir having a varying capacity ranging from 20 gallons to 80 gallons. It has one inlet water tube and another outlet hot water tube. Inlet water instantly refills the tank when the hot water goes out of the tank. Natural gas or propane is the most commonly used fuel for a storage-tank water heater. But electricity is also not very uncommon.
Advantages of Storage-tank water heater
- If we compare tankless vs tank water heater cost, initial expense of a storage-tank water heater is lower. Therefore, if you do not have enough money in pocket, you can have a storage tank water heater.
- Regular maintenance and repair cost is lower due to the simple construction of this kind of machine.
- As long as the tank is full, you can use as many faucets and showers as you can. Output speed is not a problem for this type of machine. Therefore, you can get simultaneous supply of hot water to the entire household.
Disadvantages of Storage-tank water heater
- Standby heat loss: if you need a very small amount of water, the entire water inside the tank has to be heated. After you are done with using hot water, there is still a tank full of hot water which will become cold over time. For your next use, the whole tank has to be heated again. Therefore, a tank full of hot water has to be standby for any small amount of use. These are not energy efficient water heaters.
- If the tank is empty, you will have to wait for long time to get output water. We have already mentioned the reason- whole tank full of water needs to be heated first to get the output. Therefore, you will not like to be the last person to take the shower.
- Lifespan of storage tank water heater is less than the lifespan of a tankless hot water heater.
- If any leakage problem, gallons of water can escape and create problems for the household.
Definition of Tankless Water Heater
A tankless water heater does not reserve water inside it. There is a heat exchanger inside the machine which heats up the water when any flow is generated inside the pipeline. After the sensor senses the water flow, the machine wakes up and starts working. An on-demand tankless water heater can be of two types- electric and gas run the instant water heater, based on the type of fuel it uses.
Advantages of Tankless water heater
- Does not need to be continuously heated up the water. Therefore, comparatively more energy efficient and no standby loss.
- If we investigate tankless water heater reviews, its lifespan is longer than the life of a storage tanked system.
- Compact size: you can set the machine in a very small space at home.
- Portability: tankless water heaters are compact in size and suitable for campers. Using propane gas as a fuel, you can set it up with your RV.
- On-demand water: you need not to wait for water. A tankless machine can supply you hot water instantly.
Disadvantages of Tankless water heater
- Among the problems with tankless water heaters, initial expense is a major negative. Installation cost is also higher than storage tank water heater.
- As these are newer technology, during installation, you might need some major changes in your utility lines.
- You might know the dangers of tankless water heaters due to carbon monoxide diffusion. If there is a leakage, this gas can cause serious health hazard. Therefore, you need to install the heater properly and have a regular maintenance.
- A tankless water heater can heat whole house sufficiently only if the capacity of the heater is substantial.
Recommended Tankless Water Heater
Rinnai V65iP-Propane/6.5 GPM
- This propane-run tankless water heater is suitable for indoor installation.
- The output water flow rate of this unit is 6.5 GPM which is quite sufficient for a large family.
- You can control and schedule the temperature remotely with a user-friendly mobile app.
- It comes with 10 years of factory warranty for the heat exchanger.
- This Rinnai water heater is included with ThermaCirc360 technology that ensures hot water faster.
- It is smaller than the competitors. Therefore, it saves space.
Ecosmart ECO 18 with Patented Self Modulating Technology
- ECO 18 or 27 is the most popular electric tankless water heater of recent times.
- With the advanced self-modulation technology, it will save you up to 60% energy consumption cost.
- If you are using it for residential purposes, you will get a lifetime warranty.
- It is a sleek and small water heater that can be mounted on the wall quite comfortably.
- For ECO 18, the maximum flow rate is 4.3 GPM which is quite sufficient for a large family. However, you will get 2.5 GPM of water if the inlet water temperature is higher.
Recommended Storage Tank Water Heater
American Standard CE-12-AS 12 gallon
- This American Standard storage-tank water heater is included with a drain valve. Thus, you can drain the sediment quite easily that extends the service life.
- It is properly lined with dura glass to protect corrosion.
- To ensure your safety, it has temperature and pressure relief valves as well.
- If you have a 110-volt utility line, you can use it in your RV.
- It is reasonably priced. Therefore, the value for money is great.
Bosch Electric Mini-Tank 7-Gallon
- It is one of the most popular point of use mini tank water heaters in the market.
- You can install it under your sink and enjoy hot water with a minimum wait time.
- This is a 14 KW water heater with a 145°F maximum output temperature rating.
- If you want a small and compact variant, then you can try 2.5 or 4-gallon models.
- This is a plugin type 110 volt water heater. Therefore, no need for any electrical changes.
Bottom Line
After reading the comprehensive discussion about the advantages and disadvantages of normal and instant water heaters, I think you have got a basic idea about both of these types. Considering all the pros and cons, tankless water heaters win by a mile on our judgment. Only if you have a money problem or have a definite small timeline to use a water heater, you can go for a storage tanked system. Tankless systems are with modern technology. These are safer, energy-efficient, and compact. But if you have a big household, need multiple outputs spontaneously, you should be concerned about the maximum output speed of your tankless system during checking the technical specification.
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