Perhaps you have heard about a tank versus a tankless water heater before, or maybe you are in the market for a new unit and were caught off-guard by a water heater salesman. Whatever your situation, you need to make sure you understand which type of water heater is best for your home and your needs.

Tank Water Heater

A tank water heater stores water and heats it until you are ready to use it. However, these units are bulky and not built for smaller spaces; many homeowners often utilize tank water heaters in their own designated closets or areas for aesthetic reasons.

Additionally, because a tank water heater holds all the water, you may be risking the potential for more leaks; the average life expectancy of a traditional tank water heater can range between 10 and 15 years. Since the water simply sits in the tank, hard water may cause a buildup of sediment over time. You may be required to flush out these deposits and could risk burning out the heating element if you don’t do so carefully.

There is also no way of shutting off the heat without disabling the unit completely; your tank is constantly running and heating the water, regardless of whether you are using it or not. Many homeowners agree that tank water heaters are not very energy efficient and there is a specific amount of hot water available. Once you use the water in the tank, you have to wait for the water that is cycling into it to heat up again before you can use it.

If you need to accommodate only yourself, you may find that a tank water heater will meet all of your needs without difficulty.

Tankless Water Heater

On the other hand, many homeowners choose a tankless water heater Los Angeles plumbers recommend due to their size and energy efficiency. Tankless water heaters are much smaller than tank water heaters and can operate outdoors or indoors. Additionally, many owners find that these models may last 20 years or longer, depending on use and maintenance and they do not leak as readily as their tank counterparts.

Tankless water heaters only draw water and heat it when you need it; for this reason, they are energy efficient and not continuously running when not in use. Unless you encounter a leak or malfunction in the unit, you can expect to have an endless supply of water.

If you need a water heater that services your whole house or business, you will want to look for a tankless water heater that provides at least six gallons of water per minute to ensure that each area of your home or business has access to hot water when needed.

Depending on the size of your residence, you will need to examine the benefits and downsides of each unit before making a purchase. However, many homeowners find that a tankless water heater Los Angeles professionals suggest meet and exceed their needs.