How to Choose the Right Water Heater for Your Home
No matter the season, hot water is a luxury that no home should be without! Modern hot water systems are more efficient than ever. And some models provide your home with limitless hot water when and where you need it.
Every style of water heater has its pros and cons.
Knowing them will help you decide which one is right for your home. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of reservoir style and tankless water heaters:
Reservoir Water Heater Pros
- This traditional water heater uses a storage tank that can hold 20 to 80 gallons of water.
- Allows for the use of hot water at many locations throughout the home at the same time.
- Available in electric, propane and oil-fueled models.
Reservoir Water Heater Cons
- If the tank runs out of water, there is down time while the tank refills and heats the water back up.
- These water heaters can be costly as they're using energy to maintain the temperature.
- Since the water is sitting in the tank, there’s a potential for mineral buildup that can cause harm to the system. Regular maintenance is a must!
Tankless Water Heater Pros
- These systems use less energy. So your utility bills should be lower than if you used a reservoir style water heater.
- There’s no down time required to heat up the water. It’s almost instant! The water travels through a burner unit on its way to the tap, so it comes out hot when you need it to.
- Tankless systems are much smaller because they do not need large storage tanks.
Tankless Water Heater Cons
- Initial installation costs are higher than conventional water heaters. Although, the lower energy costs offset the cost of installation.
- Using hot water in too many locations at once may be difficult for this system to handle.
- They need annual maintenance to remove any sediments that can harm the system.
As far as water heating systems go, tankless is ideal for homes with less demand for hot water and fewer rooms. Larger homes that need hot water throughout the day benefit more from a reservoir system. Which one is right for you? If you’re still unsure, call Sound Energy and we can help you decide!
