Herkowski Stickler & Associates offers a variety of water heater options from quality manufacturers, including Bradford White, Chronomite, Keltech, and Laars. Two types available are tank and tankless, and this blog will explore the features of each.
Storage tank water heaters, found in about 90% of homes in America, require significant home space, as they typically hold between 40 and 120 gallons of water. A pipe leads from the top of the water tank to a home’s faucets, with the heating source (typically natural gas or electricity) located at the tank’s bottom. Water is heated much like a pot of water is heated on a stove. When hot water is used, new cold water enters the tank, and the heating source triggers automatically. When the water reaches the set temperature, the heating source turns off.
Tankless water heaters, also called on-demand water heaters, consistently deliver hot water to a home, no matter the consumption needs. Electrically- or gas-powered, a tankless water heater features high-powered burners that heat water within a few minutes by moving it through a heat exchanger and directing it to faucets or the shower.
The features and benefits of the two options are as follows:
Functionality
Tank water heaters put out a lot of hot water quickly. A 50-gallon, 50,000 BTU gas-fired tank water heater can deliver up to 80 gallons of hot water in the first hour. Because tank water heaters are located remotely from the delivery point, it takes time for the hot water to travel to the delivery point. Depending on the home size, the configuration of the plumbing, and the distance between the water heater and the delivery point, this can take a few seconds to several minutes.
Tankless water heaters typically have a 2 to 5 GPM flow rate. For gas versions, a 5 GPM unit is required to raise water temperature by 70ºF. Electric versions work more gradually at approximately 2 GPM for the same temperature increase. Unless the unit is a point-of-use demand heater, it delivers hot water throughout the home as quickly as a tank water heater.
Installation
Most plumbers can install a tank water heater and do-it-yourselfers with intermediate plumbing experience can do so. Water heaters must be installed to meet local codes and utility company requirements, plus permitting and inspection are typically needed.
A licensed plumber or electrician should install a tankless water heater, as they may require new gas lines, as these units require 30,000 to 130,000 BTU/H.
Appearance
Tank water heaters usually have a tall, cylindrical appearance, about 60 inches high and 20 to 24 inches in diameter. The units require a minimum of three inches of side clearance and 12 inches of top clearance, with more space preferred. Including a top vent, expansion tank, T&P valve, and drain pan, a tank water heater can become a bulky unit.
Relatively small, flat, and wall-mounted, even a high-capacity tankless water heater is only 27 inches tall and 19 inches wide, with a projection of approximately 12 inches.
Energy Use and Efficiency
Heating water to a specific temperature and turning off when that water temperature is reached, tank water heaters hold the water at that temperature throughout the day by turning on and off as needed. This keeps hot water available when water is not being used, as tank water heaters are internally insulated.
Tankless water heaters are up to 34% more energy-efficient in homes that use less than 41 gallons of water daily. The efficiency decreases in homes where more water is used, at 14% more energy-efficient in homes that use at least 86 gallons of water daily.
Maintenance
As they are mostly self-maintaining, tank water heaters should be flushed and cleaned annually, as sediment builds up on the tank bottom. The T&P valve on the side of the unit should be checked periodically to ensure it can drain pressure and water.
As a tankless water heater works multiple times a day, maintenance is key to preserving proper condition and energy efficiency. The inlet and air filter should be cleaned occasionally, and the unit flushed.
Lifespan
A tank water heater usually lasts eight to 12 years, depending on the level of maintenance, while a tankless unit can last up to 20 years if well-maintained.
Making A Choice
Home size and water demands are important considerations when deciding on whether to install a tank or tankless water heater. HSA has you covered in either case, so contact your company rep or call 414-771-0400 (Wisconsin) or 630-458-8816 (Illinois) or email quotes@hsarep.com for more information.