Making the decision between a conventional water heater with a storage tank and a tankless water heater is something most homeowners face at some point. After all, water heaters are the gold standard for a consistent source of hot water. Because your plumbing fixtures and home appliances depend on this hot water, it’s always important to consider all your options carefully.

This useful guide from your local experts at Mountain Air breaks down tank and tankless water heaters. You’ll learn more about the distinct elements in their design as well as some benefits and drawbacks of each model. These valuable insights will help you make an informed choice regarding your home's hot water needs. Once you’ve made your decision, give us a call for professional tank water heater installation.

Traditional Storage Tank Water Heaters: Tried and True

Let's get to know conventional storage tank water heaters first. That ample storage tank is the key feature here, ensuring you have an ample supply of water that’s always heated. As soon as you need hot water, a tank water heater is ready to supply it.

Pros:

  • Budget-Friendly Installation: Tank water heaters generally have lower up-front installation costs, thanks to their simpler design.
  • Streamlined Maintenance Needs: This simpler design also leads to less potential maintenance needs.

Cons:

  • Continuous Energy Use: Tank water heaters have to keep water perpetually heated, which means extra cost if you’re not constantly using that water.
  • Bulky Size: The tank itself is sometimes a challenge in smaller spaces. If your home doesn’t have a basement or utility closet, installation becomes a bit trickier.

Tankless Water Heaters: Cutting-Edge Comfort

Now, let's explore tankless water heaters, an innovative alternative that’s relatively modern. Distinct from tank models, tankless water heaters operate on-demand. They’re generating hot water only when requested, thanks to powerful heating elements as the water comes through the system.

Pros:

  • Improved Energy Efficiency: Tankless models boast much higher energy efficiency since they’re not constantly running.
  • Surprisingly Durable: With regular maintenance from a trained technician, tankless water heaters can boast many years of service.

Cons:

  • Larger Initial Investment: Initial installation costs are higher as a result of the more complex design.
  • May Need More Upkeep: Tankless models will usually need more routine attention to keep their important parts in sync.
  • Potential Need to Update Plumbing Infrastructure Updates: Older homes may not be ready for a tankless water heater. Plumbers can modify your plumbing to accommodate one, but it might complicate your installation project.

Picking Your Water Heater: Consider What Suits You Best

In general, we’d suggest going with the greater energy efficiency that tankless water heaters provide. But this may be dependent on aspects including how much hot water you use each day. You’ll want to reflect on your specific hot water needs before you make your choice.

  1. Typical Hot Water Use: Assess how much hot water your household uses on average. As an example, large families who love the outdoors or have pets almost always need a lot more hot water than if you live by yourself.
  2. Space for Installation: The dimensions of your home can impact how effectively a water heater operates. Review potential installation locations and confirm with professionals if your model is capable of fitting where you want it go.
  3. Local Climate: Long winters mean a water heater that works harder. This is more noticeable with tankless models, which are better in situations when there won’t be any huge jumps in water usage.
  4. Fuel and Electricity Rates: Your average utility rates can make one option more appealing over the other.

Don’t forget, experienced pros like those at Mountain Air can help you in making a more educated decision. They understand which makes and models meet your specific needs before ensuring a smoother installation process.

Get a Quote from Mountain Air

If you're thinking about a switch to a tankless water heater in Morgantown, why not call Mountain Air for a complimentary quote? Our professional plumbing technicians can offer the peace of mind that you’ll always have the hot water you need. Call today at 304-413-1287.