WATER HEATER

REPLACEMENT GUIDE

 

UNDERSTANDING TANK VS TANKLESS WATER HEATER

The differences in tank vs tankless water heaters can be summed up in 4 categories:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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CONVENIENCE

The biggest problem that people have with their hot water is not having enough. You may find that hot water doesn’t last long enough for everyone in your family to get a shower or that it runs out partway through. These are problems that only exist with a tank water heater. A tankless heater can solve them. That’s because of how the two kinds of heaters work:

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• Tank heaters pre-heat a limited amount of water in their tank. You can get larger tanks, but they’re expensive, and there’s still a limit. If you use up all the hot water in the tank, you run out until it refills and reheats. This is what makes taking a long shower no fun.

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• Tankless heaters heat water as it’s needed—whenever you turn the faucet. They can bring water up to steaming, soothing temperatures in seconds and provide hot water indefinitely.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EFFICIENCY

One of the biggest things homeowners want from a new water heater is energy efficiency. This is where there’s the most dramatic difference between the two heaters:

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• A tank heater operates continuously. That means it’s running even when you’re asleep, and much of that hot water will never be used. That’s a lot of wasted energy—that you pay for.

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• A tankless heater only heats water on demand. It’s a smaller, compact system that flash-heats water when needed and turns off as soon as you turn off the faucet. Tankless heaters are designed to save energy.

 

COST

The cost advantages depend on whether you want a quick fix or a long-term investment:

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• Tank heaters cost less upfront but are expensive to run and wear out sooner.

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• Tankless heaters cost slightly more upfront but can save you substantially on your monthly bills. Comparing a standard tank heater (50-gallon, electric) with an equivalent tankless (condensed gas-fired unit), the tankless unit can reduce energy costs by 60% or more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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INSTALLATION & MAINTENANCE

Installation costs on tankless heaters have come down recently, and Navien offers models that are compatible with the same gas line and ventilation stacks as traditional heaters. Plus, Navien can help you find a licensed installer wherever you live. That means the two heaters are now much more evenly matched. But after installation, the difference is clear:

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• Tank Heaters are old technology, and they have flaws. Minerals build up inside the tank as it’s cooked repeatedly. Most tanks last only 10-12 years before they have to be replaced and typically come with just a 6-year warranty.

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• Tankless Heaters are modern and more effective. They last up to 25 years with very little maintenance. And most tankless water heaters have a 15-year warranty.

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ISN’T IT TIME YOUR HOMEMADE THE SWITCH?

The water heater is probably the appliance least thought about in the home – until it fails. And when water heaters go wrong, many do so in grand (ugly) fashion. Nearly three of every four water heaters fail due to a tank bursting or leaking 30 to 80 gallons of rusty water – depending on tank size – in your finished basement, attic, or garage. Look for energy-efficient, certified ENERGY STAR water heaters, as new technologies can save anywhere from 7 to 55 percent off household water heating costs.

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Call Water Heater Pro Az for free advice and helpful hints at 602-833-1533