If you’re looking for water heater alternatives, you’re probably wondering which is better for your home: tanked or tankless water heaters. Both have their own perks and can improve your house in a variety of ways. When you’re fully replacing your system due to age or repair, you have to keep in mind installation costs, size and energy consumption with your new unit.
Air Tech of Houston AC & Plumbing wants to help you easily make your choice by comparing the pros and cons of each unit. Here are ways these plumbing systems are similar and how they differ, from their installation to performance.
Water Heater Installation Costs
Tanked System
Homeowners typically have a tanked unit already set up in their homes. This means that your home is equipped with compatible hookups that make the installation easier.
If you already own a tanked water heater, installing a new one would be less expensive compared to a tankless water heater. Replacing a tanked unit can cost anywhere between $600-$800, making it a better option for those who want to save on initial installation expenses.
Tankless Unit
If you have a tanked water heater and wanted to replace it with a tankless system, you can expect the installation cost to range between $800-$1,500. This is because plumbers will have to change out the hookups in your system with the new venting and gas supply requirements necessary for a tankless system. They will also need to install larger pipes and upgrade electrical components for electrical units.
If you’d like to save on your upfront installation costs, consider staying with a tanked unit.
Water Heater Sizes
Water heaters can take up a lot of space in smaller houses. If you have limited space for a system, a tankless heater is your best option.
Tank Heater
Because they need to hold about 55 gallons of water to function properly, a tanked unit can reach 5 feet tall and 2 feet wide. This makes it difficult to fit them into homes that lack a basement or room in their garage.
Tankless Unit
Instead of storing water to keep it warm, a tankless water heater uses a heat exchanger to increase the temperature of your water as it passes through.
You can expect these units to stand around 2 feet tall and 1 foot wide. If you want to save extra space in your garage or basement, a tankless system can help you.
Water Heater Energy Usage
Depending if you get an electric or gas water heater, you can expect different results with their energy consumption. Energy usage is an important element to consider when choosing your system because it shows how hard your unit needs to work to meet your hot water needs.
While electric and gas tankless and tanked water heaters have similar flow rates, the difference in how efficiently they maintain a water temperature of 120°F is clear. If the average price for energy consumption was $10.86 per 1,000 cubic feet of natural gas, the cost of energy for each unit:
- Traditional Gas Water Heater: $245
- Traditional Electric Water Heater: $580
- Tankless Gas Water Heater: $195
- Tankless Electric Water Heater: $535
Based on these results, we can see that tankless water heaters function more efficiently than tanked units. So, if you are looking to reduce your utility costs each month and reduce your energy consumption, consider installing a tankless unit.
Get Your New Water Heater With Air Tech!
If you’re looking to get a Houston water heater replacement, contact our team at Air Tech of Houston AC & Plumbing! We can assess your home to let you know what kind of unit would be the perfect fit for your needs. For water heater installations and repairs, contact us today!
