Tank Vs. Tankless Water Heaters: A Vancouver Homeowner’s Guide

If you're undecided about what type of water heater you want in your home, you've come to the right place. At Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Vancouver BC, we have all the knowledge on both tank models and tankless models, including the pros and cons and the major differences between the two units.

Whether you want to save on energy costs with a tankless water heater or just want constant hot water on demand with a conventional storage tank water heater, there is a specific type of water heater for you that meets your needs. In this article, our Vancouver plumbers will guide you through the nature of tank-based and tankless water heaters, along with their differences in performance, price, and more.

Keep on reading to learn more about tank vs. tankless water heaters.

Tankless Vs. Tank Water Heaters: What’s The Difference?

The major difference between tank and tankless water heaters is their storage capacity. While traditional tank systems are able to store hot water so it is ready whenever there’s demand for it, tankless models heat up the water directly when hot water faucets are turned on.

Both tankless electric water heaters and traditional storage tank water heaters are able to heat up gallons of water in a fast amount of time, allowing for convenient access to hot water.

This basic difference causes a variation of advantages and disadvantages, including energy costs and installation costs. Depending on your cost budget, household size, and preferences for functionality, you will be able to find the right water heater type for your home. We will go through all of the various pros and cons between the two types of water heaters.

Tank Vs. Tankless Water Heaters: Benefits of Tankless Heaters

Tankless water heaters are well-known for their energy-efficient technology. Some of the main benefits of a tankless unit include the following:

Saves on gas: This is your budget-friendly option for long-term cost savings. Since tankless models aren't constantly heating up water like tank models do, it reduces gas usage in your home.
Saves on electricity: For long-term energy efficiency, this compact design is for you. You will notice improved annual energy savings when using electric tankless water heaters.
Longer high expectancy: Although proper sediment removal and filtration are needed to maintain the internal components of your tankless water heater, they are less likely to corrode over the years than traditional tank models, making them a more sustainable model with a longer life expectancy.
Space saving: This condensing technology allows for more floor and storage space. This non-bulky unit ensures that smaller homes have increased functionality with these space-saving tankless heaters.

Tankless Vs. Tank Water Heaters: Disadvantages of Tankless Units

While electric tankless models are extremely energy- and space-efficient, they also have some disadvantages, including:

Expensive installation costs: Tankless water heater installation is more costly than tank heaters due to its extensive installation process. The unit has to be mounted to the wall and requires more labor than a traditional tank heater.
Cold water sandwiches: Since hot water is not constantly being stored in a tank, during the initial period when you turn on the hot water faucet, you may experience cold water. This also means that the hot water duration is shorter than tank models, which can result in cold water at the end of your hot shower.
Power outages impact hot water usage: Your tankless water heater model operates with electricity, so when you lose power in your home, you will also lose your access to hot water.
Improper sizes and flow rates are more likely: Tankless hot water heaters come in various sizes and require the correct size to match the flow rate in your home. If your tankless water heater size is too small, then you will not be able to manage the demand for hot water in your home, causing temperature fluctuations and other issues. This can be resolved by changing the size of the unit and adjusting the flow rate of water.

Tank Vs. Tankless Water Heaters: Benefits of Tank Units

Traditional tank heaters are classic heaters. This heater stores hot water in its tank to ensure that all of your hot water demands are met. Here are the main advantages of traditional tank water heaters:

Constant supply of hot water: For a larger family who needs an endless supply of hot water throughout the day, conventional storage tank water heaters are your tried-and-true water heater. You can have gallons of hot water on demand whenever you need it with traditional heaters.
The initial costs for installation are much lower than tankless water heaters: Storage tank water heaters are easier to install than tankless units, so the upfront costs for your traditional heater will be significantly lower.
Various tank sizes available: Since every household has different hot water demands, there is a wide range of storage tank sizes to help meet each homeowner's hot water demands.

Tank Vs. Tankless Water Heaters: Disadvantages of Tank Units

While these are extremely popular and classic heaters, conventional storage water heaters also face their cons, including:

Higher gas utility costs: Traditional storage tank water heaters are constantly using gas to heat up the water, which can increase the cost of utility bills.
High energy consumption: Storage water heaters are not nearly as energy-efficient as tankless models. This extra energy consumption can cause higher energy bills.
Traditional water heaters corrode faster: Since water is constantly sitting within the tank, the entire unit is more likely to corrode or break down than electric tankless models, especially the tank itself.

Conclusion

Overall, it is a matter of preference and convenience. What homeowners should also know is that both types of water heater require the same amount of maintenance that includes regular flushing services. Every homeowner has a different experience with their tank-based or tankless systems. At Mr. Rooter Plumbing, we recommend drawing conclusions from your existing unit and making notes on what you want to see in terms of improvement. Is your monthly water bill high? Or do you frequently run out of hot water? Feel free to request an inspection service with a professional to see how you can best accommodate your hot water habits.

Call Mr. Rooter Plumbing Today to Schedule Water Heater Installation Services

Both tankless and conventional tank water heaters have their fair share of pros and cons. Regardless if you want a gas tank water heater or an electric tankless water heater, count on our team at Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Vancouver BC for all of your water heater installation needs. We have the skills to install both gas and electric models as well as tank and tankless styles to ensure that you get your ideal hot water heater.

Call us today to schedule a water heater installation service with our plumbing experts.