Should I Buy Tankless Water Heater?

This is not an easy question to answer because it depends on a number of factors. Rather than give you a straight "yes" or "no," we are going to dive into the similarities and differences between traditional, tank-style water heaters and the modern, tankless water heaters. Consider your unique circumstances and determine for yourself whether tankless is better. If you need reliable plumbers to help with the tankless water heater installation, we can help. Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Tampa is a time-tested plumbing company with decades of industry experience and heritage. Call now to consult with a representative and get your free price estimate upfront.

The Tank-Style Water Heater

Tank-style water heaters are the most common type of water heater mostly because of their low upfront-costs. As the appliance’s name suggests, it has an insulated tank that stores water which is heated in bulk. They are usually electric- or gas-powered. Sure, tank-style water heaters have low upfront costs, but they can run up your energy bills significantly when compared to the tankless water heater. Another downside is the tank takes up a considerable amount of real estate.

The Tankless Water Heater

Tankless water heaters, or demand-type water heaters, will heat water as you need it. You guessed it: there is no storage tank. In this system, cold water travels through a pipe where it is heated by a gas burner or electric elements. There is no waiting for a tank of water to heat up. This type of water heater gives users a constant and near-instant supply of hot water.

While the cost of a tankless water heater installation is greater than a tank-style water heater’s, the tankless water heater typically lasts longer. Further, a tankless water heater will save money on electricity and water bills. It is estimated that tankless water heaters can be up to 35 percent more energy efficient than conventional storage tank water heaters. That is the long-term benefit of a tankless water heater.

Choosing the Right Size

Choosing the right size is as important as choosing the right type of water heater. The output of a tank-style water heater is more or less fixed while the tankless water heater’s output depends on its flow rate.

For the tank-style water heater, the general rule of thumb is to have about 10 to 15 gallons per person in the household. A couple can make do with a 24- to 30-gallon tank while a 4-person household will likely need a 40- to 50-gallon tank.

With the tankless water heater, the metric to note is "gallons-per-minute" (gpm). Calculate the maximum amount of hot water you would expect to use and choose your tankless water heater accordingly. For example, a dishwasher, shower, and faucet running at the same time will demand about 6.5 gallons per minute.

We Can Help

The plumbers at Mr. Rooter Plumbing are happy to help you choose the right sized water heater. Feel free to call us any time to consult with a representative and schedule an on-site visit or inspection. We offer water heater installation, maintenance, repairs, and replacements.