Hot Water Heater Comparison: Tank vs. Tankless Water Heaters
One of the most important parts of a home plumbing system is the hot water heater. These can be gas water heaters, electric water heaters or even solar water heaters and work day in and out to bring hot water to homes and businesses. There are two main types of water heaters; tank water heaters and tankless water heaters.
Tank water heaters heat water and then keep it in a large tank, ready for use whenever it is needed. These water heaters are less expensive than tankless water heaters to install, but cost more to run. Since it is necessary to keep the water heated at all times so that it is ready when you want it, the gas or electricity must be run constantly (solar is another case, with it’s own benefits and drawbacks), even when it’s not being used. Another drawback is that there is a limited amount of hot water available. If it is used up, time must pass before more hot water is ready. An average two person household needs a 40 to 60 gallon tank, so this can add up to quite a bit of heated water.
Tankless water heaters provide water on demand. These are more costly to install, but more efficient and less expensive to run. They heat water as it is being used, and do not require any storage tanks. If no water is being used, then no water is heated and no energy is wasted. These types of heaters are popular in Europe and are becoming more popular in the United States.