It used to be that a New England homeowner had few choices when it came to heating water. Now there are options. The two most popular are the conventional storage-tank heater and the tankless heater, also known as a demand water heater. Each has its advantages as well as its drawbacks. Which is best for your home? The answer depends on your family's needs.
Whether they're gas-operated or electric, storage heaters have been around for a long time. They tend to use a lot of energy -- sometimes accounting for as much as 25 percent of your utility bill. And much of that energy use is pretty inefficient: It's going toward keeping a tank of water hot in anticipation of when you'll need it.
However, new, high-efficiency models, if well-insulated, can be much more efficient than older ones. Storage water heaters are also less expensive than the tankless models. Their life span is typically around eight to 12 years.
Tankless models, while newer here in the U.S., have been in use in Asian and European countries for many years. They are popular because there is no "standby heat loss" -- they don't use energy to heat water that's being stored. Instead, they heat water only as it is needed. They are also available in electric or gas powered.
However, tankless heaters are more expensive than storage water heaters, and they may cost more to install as well. Tankless heaters have another drawback: Sometimes they are unable to meet simultaneous major demands from the household. For instance, if someone wants to take a shower while the dishwasher's running, a tankless heater might not be able to supply enough hot water for both. That's why some households install more than one tankless heater or designate a tankless heater for one appliance, such as the washing machine. Tankless heaters can last up to 20 years with normal use and proper maintenance.
If you're weighing your options and could use some professional input, please feel free to call Rodenhiser. We'll be happy to help.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about water heater options and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Solutions Guide.
Rodenhiser Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning serves the Route 495/128 area of Massachusetts. To get started, check out our website or see our current promotions.
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