WATER HEATER

REPLACEMENT GUIDE

 

UNDERSTANDING TANK VS TANKLESS WATER HEATERS

The differences between tank and tankless water heaters can be summed up in 4 categories:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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1. CONVENIENCE

The biggest problem that people have with their hot water is not having enough. You may find that hot water doesn't last long enough for everyone in your family to get a hot shower or that it runs out partway through and takes a while to reheat. These are problems that only exist with a tank water heater. A gas tankless heater can solve that problem. That's because of how the two kinds of heaters work:

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• Tank heaters preheat a limited amount of water in the tank. You can get more giant tanks, but they're expensive, and there's still a limit. If you use up all the hot water in the tank, you run out until it refills and reheats. This is what makes taking a long shower no fun.

 

• Tankless heaters heat water as needed—whenever you turn on the faucet. Gas tankless units can bring cold water up to piping-hot temperatures in seconds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. EFFICIENCY

One of the biggest things homeowners want from a new water heater is energy efficiency. This is where there's the most dramatic difference between the two heaters:

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• A tank-type heater operates continuously. That means it's running even when you're asleep, and much of that hot water will never be used. That's a lot of wasted energy—that you pay for.

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• A tankless heater only heats water on demand. It's a more minor, compact system that flash-heats water when needed and turns off as soon as you turn off the faucet. Tankless water heaters are designed to save energy.

 

3. COST

The cost advantages depend on whether you want a quick fix or a long-term investment:

 

• Tank heaters cost less upfront but are expensive to run and wear out sooner.

 

• Tankless heaters cost more upfront but can save you substantially on your monthly bills. Comparing a standard tank heater (50-gallon gas) with an equivalent gas tankless (condensed gas-fired unit), the tankless unit can reduce energy costs by 60% or more and last three times longer with proper maintenance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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4. INSTALLATION & MAINTENANCE

Installation costs on tankless heaters have come down recently, and Navien offers models that are compatible with the same gas line and ventilation stacks as traditional heaters. Water Heater Pros is a licensed and certified tankless installer in Sacramento.

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• Tank Heaters are old technology with flaws. Scale builds up inside the tank as it's heated repeatedly. Most tanks last only 9-12 years before they have to be replaced, and the standard models come with just a 6-year warranty.

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• Gas tankless water heaters are modern and more effective. They last up to 25 years with very little maintenance, and most have a 15-year warranty.

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ISN'T IT TIME YOUR HOMEMADE THE SWITCH?

The water heater is probably the appliance least thought about in the home – until it fails. And when water heaters go wrong, many do so in a grand (ugly) fashion. Nearly three of every four water heaters fail due to a tank leaking and flooding 30 to 80 gallons of rusty water – depending on tank size – in your finished basement, attic, or garage. Look for energy-efficient, certified ENERGY STAR water heaters, as new technologies can save anywhere from 7 to 55 percent off household water heating costs. Call Water Heater Pros today in Sacramento, CA. "Enjoy Hot Water Tonight"