Water Heaters: Storage vs. Tankless
There is a great variation between water heaters and water heating services. Different products vary according to initial price, long-term cost, energy use, and other factors. Here is a general guide to two of the primary forms of heaters that you may find in most households.
Storage vs. Tankless Water Heaters
Two different types of water heaters are storage and tankless. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, and will appeal to different consumers with different concerns with regards to price, energy, etc.
Storage Water Heaters
Most household water heating systems are tank heaters, a.k.a. “storage water heaters”. You have probably seen these in your cellar or basement. They are large cylinders whose volume usually ranges between a few dozen to a hundred gallons of water that contains a continuous supply of hot water. If heated directly, they use an immersion heater or household energy sources (usually natural gas, but possibly propane and sometimes energy from solar panels). They may also be heated indirectly through an external pump or boiler.
Advantages
- Slower energy consumption
- Lower initial cost
- Energy flexibility
Disadvantages
- Cools down over time
- Delayed water supply if and when hot water is depleted
Tankless Water Heaters
While storage continues to dominate the market, tankless water heaters (a.k.a. instantaneous/on-demand heaters) are becoming more and more popular. Unlike large and cumbersome tanks, these heaters can be placed anywhere in the house, even far away from the main supply of water. Essentially, they can be installed at any point-of-use (POU) water outlet, i.e. faucets, showers, etc.
Advantages
- Long-term energy savings (because water is heated on-demand rather than on a continuous basis)
- No stored water – takes up less space & reduces risk of water leaks/damages
Disadvantages
- Higher initial cost (2 to 4 times the price of a tank)
- Delayed heating upon start-up
- Less energy flexibility
Conclusion
In summary, storage heaters are larger and constricted to certain household spaces. They cost less initially and are more energy-flexible (they can use different sources of energy). By contrast, tankless heaters are small and can be placed at any POU. While they cost more initially, they are less expensive to own in the long-term. However, they lack the energy flexibility of storage heaters.
Call (281) 351-6661 or contact us online for a water heater inspection or to discuss your options for an affordable and dependable water heater professionally installed anywhere in the Houston area (1960, Spring, The Woodlands, Cypress, Tomball, Magnolia) by a licensed Daniels Plumbing professional.