If you choose a traditional water heater you also have to think about the right size of tank for your home. If you get one that is not large enough, you may be constantly running out of hot water but if it is too large it wastes energy and unnecessarily increase your energy bills. Both types of water heaters have their advantages depending on your needs. Our technicians at Rooter-Man can help you decide which would be the best choice for you.
Traditional water heaters use a tank. The water in the tank is kept heated around the clock. It is normally located in the basement, usually in the laundry room. They take up more room than the tankless heaters, but many homeowners do not mind if they have the space for it. They have a lower purchase price so if you are on a tight budget this can definitely be the right choice for you. They also do not require very much maintenance. If you do not have a large family and there are people home during the day, or you plan on moving shortly this option may also be the right one for you. Many of the traditional water heaters are also Energy Star certified now so the cost of having it run is not quite so bad.
Tankless water heaters are newer on the market. They do cost more than the traditional types, but they have many benefits that make them worth the extra money. Tankless heaters only heat water on demand so they are not constantly running, and you will never run out of hot water. Since these heaters are not working around the clock it can amount to huge energy savings and are eco-friendly. They also take up a lot less space since they do not have a tank. They are smaller units that are usually on a wall so if you do not have much space then this is a big advantage. They have a longer lifespan, up to 20 years when properly maintained. Tankless heaters normally have flood prevention build in so in the event that something goes wrong there is much less chance that you will end up with a flood.