Tank or Tankless: Which Water Heater is Right for Your Home?
Choosing a water heater is a big decision.
You want the right fit for your family at a price compatible with your budget. Your household uses hot water every day, so you expect superior reliability.
How do you choose? Fortunately, with Midwest Air Pros at your side, you do not have to go it alone. We are here to help you make an informed decision about your home’s comfort system, including your water heater, and find an expert HVAC company to install and maintain your new equipment.
Our Midwest Air Pros online network of York dealers in Wichita, Kansas; Springfield and Kansas City, Missouri; Omaha, Nebraska; and Des Moines, Iowa makes connecting with a local HVAC professional easy. Whether you need maintenance, repair, or installation, our directory features experts in everything from AC systems to water heating and zone controls. To browse our directory, click our Find a Pro link.
Water Heater Types
Besides deciding on a water heater brand and size, you must choose a tank or tankless model. Both have distinct advantages and disadvantages, and what is perfect for one family might not be the best choice for another.
Tankless models can provide hot water for all faucets in your home. A point-of-use tankless model heats water at an individual hot water tap.
Traditional Tank Heater
This large, insulated cylinder heats and stores between 40 and 80 gallons of water, depending on its size. It typically costs less to install than a tankless model, and its technology is less complicated, making maintenance and repair easier and less expensive.
A tank water heater provides a ready-made supply of hot water. When you turn on the faucet, the hot water instantly flows because it has been sitting in the tank, heated and waiting.
However, when you deplete the water in the tank, you have to wait for the tank to refill and reheat. A tank-style heater also wastes energy by constantly heating water, even when no hot tap is open. Tanks are bulky and typically last only 10 to 15 years.
Whole-House Tankless
A tankless heater is compact, wall-mounted, and capable of heating water as it flows through it en route to a faucet. It is more efficient than a tank model because it heats only the water you use. It heats continuously as long as the hot water tap is open at a faucet, shower head, or laundry area. There is no running out of water and waiting for a refill, as there is with a tank heater.
Their compact size allows for installation in small spaces, freeing up floor space, and, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, they last for more than 20 years.
The downside of whole-house tankless starts with its cost. A tankless heater costs more than a traditional tank-style model. Installation can be more complex, requiring a new vent or upgrades to the electrical system and gas lines.
This Old House says equipment purchase and installation range from $800 to $1,500 for a tank model and $1,200 to $3,500 for tankless.
Although a tankless heater can provide continuous hot water, it has a limited flow rate. It may struggle to meet high demand if, for example, your dishwasher, clothes washer, and several hot water taps run simultaneously. You may need a higher-capacity unit or multiple units installed.
Point-of-Use Tankless
These smaller, point-of-use units are installed under a sink or near a specific faucet to provide hot water directly at the tap. They are an effective solution for a remote bathroom, a guest house, or a kitchen sink where hot water can be available instantly because you do not have to wait for it to travel from the central water heater. They can supplement hot water needs without investing in a whole-home system.
Which Water Heater Do You Need?
You will ultimately choose the water heater, whether tank or tankless, that fits your priorities and budget.
Consider installing a tank water heater if you are on a tight budget and your household has low or moderate hot water demand. Choose a tank-style water heater for simple, low-cost installation.
If you want to save money on energy bills over the long run and your household has high hot water demand, a whole-house tankless model may be your best solution. Choose a tankless water heater if you are open to paying a higher upfront cost.
Regardless of which water heater type you choose, be sure to work with a qualified professional for installation, maintenance, and repairs. The experts in our Midwest Air Pros network can ensure your system runs safely and efficiently.
Replace Your Aging Water Heater Today!
Ready to find the perfect water heater for your home? Our Midwest Air Pros directory can help you connect with a local, factory-trained York dealer in Wichita, Kansas; Springfield and Kansas City, Missouri; Omaha, Nebraska; and Des Moines, Iowa. A trusted York dealer can assess your household’s hot water needs, recommend a new heater, and install it. To get started, click our Find a Pro link.