Plumbing FAQ: Tank or Tankless Water Heater?
admin • May 24, 2013

There are few appliances that have as direct an impact on your day to day comfort and convenience as your water heater. Access to dependable hot water is luxury that many of us may take for granted, but when there is a problem with your water heater it becomes pretty clear, pretty quickly, just how important it really is. It makes sense, then, that you should want to find the water heater most appropriate for your home and personal needs. Speak with the Olympia, WA plumbing technicians at Brooks Plumbing today to discuss your water heater options.

The big decision that must be made when shopping for a new water heater is whether you will opt for a traditional tank water heater or whether a tankless on-demand water heater is right for you. Both have their benefits. The input of a qualified Olympia, WA plumbing professional is a great benefit when making the decision.

Standard tank water heaters are still the most common option. These water heaters store a reservoir of hot water and continually heat it so that it is always ready to go. While this is an effective method of ensuring you have hot water when you need it, it also allows for a certain amount of standby energy loss. This happens when heat radiates through the storage tank, meaning that your water heater must in turn replace the lost heat, resulting in more energy consumption. A well-insulated tank is a good way to minimize this energy loss.

If you are interested in avoiding standby energy loss altogether, eliminating the storage tank is a step you must take. A tankless on-demand water heater allows you to do this. These water heaters superheat cold water as it passes through when called for at a point of use. They are much smaller than tank models and can be installed in closets or other tight areas. If you are short on space, going tankless may be a good idea. These systems are more prone to being overwhelmed than their traditional tank-model counterparts, though.

Ultimately, it is up to you whether a tank or tankless water heater is right for your home. Make sure that you are able to make an informed decision. At Brooks Plumbing, our Olympia, WA plumbing professionals can help ensure that you wind up with the right water heater for your home.

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