Tank or Tankless—The Choice Is Yours

As a property owner, you must replace your hot water heater sooner or later. Although the life of a hot water tank varies, most traditional standard storage tanks only last 8 to 12 years. When you find yourself having to replace yours, you will have to make an important decision. Will you replace it with a traditional hot water tank or go tankless? Here are a few benefits of both—ultimately, the choice is yours.

Benefits of Standard Storage Tank Water Heaters

The concept of a standard storage-tank water heater has been around since the late 1800s, although they only appeared in many homes after the 1940s. It is the workhorse of most households providing the approximate 80-120 gallons of hot water average families find necessary for comfort and functionality. 

While small safety feature changes have evolved, the standard storage-tank water heater still operates very similarly to the initial conception. Switching a standard water tank out for one of similar design has several advantages, some of these are as follows:

• Lower initial out-of-pocket cost - The cost of a standard tank varies based on its size and manufacturer. The cost can vary between $500 - $800, while tankless heaters can cost between $500 and $1,500. 
• Utilizes existing plumbing fixtures - Switching one standard tank out for another allows you to utilize your existing plumbing hookup. Converting over to a tankless system requires your plumber to upgrade or retrofit your plumbing lines and possibly your gas or electrical service. These additional required services can impact the cost of your tank installation, with a standard installation averaging $650 to $2,100. Tankless installations run between $1,000 and $3,500. 
• Does not require a change of habits - When you draw water from a standard water heater, you have a ready supply of heated water. You can shower while your dishwasher runs, or two of you can be in separate showers simultaneously and not suffer from the lack of hot water. Tankless heaters heat cold water as needed. There is no reservoir, and they may heat water slower than you need when drawing from several places simultaneously. This lack of heated water can often cause you to have to change your utilization habits.

Tanked systems can also have numerous drawbacks addressed with the invention of tankless systems.

Benefits of Tankless Systems

While often viewed as the newest gadget on the market, tankless water heaters have been on the market since the 1970s. Unlike the traditional storage hot water tank, tankless or on-demand systems heat water as it passes through the unit when your home requires hot water. Tankless systems come with many benefits over the traditional tanked system, such as the following:

More compact - Because tankless systems do not have the large storage tanks associated with standard tanks, they fit in much smaller spaces. Many tankless systems are wall-mounted—you can place them in small cabinets, laundry rooms, garages, and outside. 

Immediate hot water - With tankless systems, you do not have to worry about running out of hot water. The tank heats and delivers it as quickly as you demand it. 

Last longer - Although the initial installation cost of a tankless system is much higher than a standard tanked system, a well-maintained tankless system can last approximately twice as long as the traditional system. The longer life equates to approximately 20 years versus a tanked system's 8 to 12 years. 

Only you can decide which system is best for you and your family, but Jim Dhamer Plumbing and Sewer, Inc. can help you replace and install either one. We have been serving the greater Chicago area for more than five decades. Call us today at (630) 964-2222, and let us help you get your water heater back up and running.