When the time comes to have your plumbers install a new water heater, you'll need to decide whether you want a traditional or a tankless unit. One is not necessarily better than the other; each has its own qualities and benefits that are valuable in different situations. Compare what each of the two options offers to decide which is right for you. 

Traditional Water Heater

The traditional water heater is a large insulated tank, typically capable of holding 30 to 50 gallons of water. It features an inlet pipe for cold water and an outlet pipe for hot water. The cold water fills the tank completely, where the gas or electric heating element heats up the water to the set temperature. The water is kept at that temperature until you use it, after which the tank refills and the process restarts. 

A traditional unit has a lower installation cost, especially if your plumbers are replacing a storage tank heater, as the home is already plumbed for this setup. Their operation is simple, which means that maintenance and repairs are also affordable. The water does not need to be heated on demand, which means that the unit can accommodate multiple hot water needs at once, such as running a shower and a load of laundry at the same time. 

Tankless Water Heater

A tankless heater works on demand, which means it does not preheat your water. The smaller unit contains high-powered burners, typically run by electricity or gas, which instantaneously heats up the water as it passes through. Each unit has a flow rate, or how much water it is capable of heating up at any given time to accommodate multiple hot water needs throughout the house. 

Tankless units only consume energy when you need hot water, as they don't need to keep many gallons of water at a hot temperature around the clock. This makes them generally 24% to 34% more efficient than their traditional counterparts. You'll reduce your carbon footprint and save on your monthly utility costs.

Though tankless units cost more upfront to have your plumbers install, they do have a longer life span. Many last for 20 years or more, compared to the average 10- to 15-year life span of a traditional unit. They also will never run out of hot water, as they work on demand, so you don't need to wait for a new tank of water to heat up before you can continue using hot water. 

No matter which style you've decided is right for your home, the plumbers at A1 Columbia Plumbing Heating & AC Services can install it. This plumbing service in Columbia, MO, is backed by more than 20 years of experience and high-quality supplies. See everything they do on their website and call (573) 449-7050 for an estimate.