If you live in the Indianola area and need a new hot water heater, you have an important decision to make: a tankless water heater or a traditional water heater. Do you know the best option for your family and household? There are major differences between a tankless and a traditional water heater with a tank. In order to choose which option is right for your household, you should carefully compare the two based on the factors that are most important to you. The plumbing specialists at Indianola Mechanical help homeowners determine which water heater is right for them. The answer varies from household to household! Make an appointment with one of our expert licensed plumbing professionals to learn more about your options.

Which Is The Best For A Small Space?

Tankless water heaters differ greatly from traditional tank models due to their size. It depends on the available space. If there are space restrictions, one choice requires far more real estate in the home than the other. A conventional water heater stores hot water in a tank. Traditional tank water heaters are large and need several cubic feet of space around them. 

Tankless water heaters have a much smaller footprint, requiring little room for installation. With the ability to be installed on a wall, tankless water heaters can be installed in areas with no floor space available. If you don’t want to lose space to a large tank water heater or don’t have any space to lose, a tankless water heater is your best option.

Which Is The Best For A Small Budget?

Prices for tankless and traditional models differ significantly, although costs vary between models. An average tank water heater costs around $900-$1,200 to install. Tankless water heater installation typically costs around $2,000-$3,000.

Which Is Best For A Large Family?

In large households, many people need hot water at once. Tankless water heaters provide hot water on demand. However, when hot water is needed for multiple resources, tankless units may have a difficult time keeping up, leaving some family members or appliances without hot water. Because conventional units store pre-heated water, a large volume of hot water is available to serve all applications simultaneously. However, once it runs out, no one has hot water until the storage tank fills back up.

Both options have challenges, so deciding which one to choose is difficult. Water heaters must have a large capacity to handle all household demands. You may need multiple units if you go tankless to guarantee enough hot water for everyone.

Which Is The Most Energy-Efficient?

Over the course of a water heater’s lifespan, energy consumption and cost are affected by energy efficiency. A more energy-efficient unit costs less to operate but comes with a higher price tag. Lower-efficiency units are more affordable upfront but cost more to operate. 

Consider this when choosing between a tankless or traditional unit: 

An energy-efficient tankless water heater can save you 24 to 34 percent on your monthly energy bill if your household uses 41 gallons of hot water or less per day. When your household uses about 86 gallons of hot water each day, tankless water heaters are about 8 to 14 percent more efficient. In most cases, tankless water heaters are more energy-efficient and generate lower operating costs.

Which Is Best For The Longest Service Life?

It isn’t possible to predict the exact lifespan of water heating equipment, but these systems have an expected service life. A traditional water heater needs to be replaced approximately every 10 to 15 years. Tankless water heaters should be replaced every 20 to 30 years. A tankless water heater is the most cost-effective way to replace your water heater now and (hopefully) not have to do so again for many years to come.

Expert Plumbing Advice, Equipment, and Service From Indianola Mechanical

Are you still unable to decide whether to purchase a tankless water heater or a traditional storage water heater? We totally understand – it’s a big decision to make! Our plumbing professionals are available to assess your home and advise you on the best model for your household. 

No matter which option you choose, we guarantee your new water heater’s integrity and longevity by offering high-quality equipment combined with expert service. Make an appointment with our team today to discuss your water heater options and installation. Call Indianola Mechanical at 515-961-7924.