by AAA City Plumbing

What Is the Difference Between Conventional and Tankless Water Heaters?

The main difference between a traditional tank water heater and a tankless unit is this: conventional water heaters keep your water heated all the time in case you need hot water. Tankless water heaters heat the water only when you need it.

This means that tankless water heaters use less energy and are the more efficient choice. If you currently have a conventional water heater is it time to switch to tankless? Consider these factors to help you decide.

Types of Tankless Water Heaters

There are several types of tankless water heaters.

They are:

  • Electric
  • Gas
  • And more

What Are the Pros & Cons of Tankless Water Heaters?

The benefits of an electric tankless water heater are that they are less expensive to install and can be installed almost anywhere. However, we have found that electric tankless water heaters are usually quite troublesome.

There are brands that work well, but they are usually not very energy efficient as they require a lot of volts to run so if possible try and go with a different fuel source like gas. We always inform our customers about all the pros and cons of tankless water heaters.

Another benefit of a tankless water heater is that you could hypothetically leave your hot water running for a month straight and it would still be hot when got back. As long as you were paying the gas, water, and power bill, of course. The downside is that the initial cost to install one is pretty expensive and the return on investment is usually 10+ years.

The other potential downside is when your tankless water heater breaks down, the parts are not sitting on the shelf at your local hardware store. This means you could be without hot water for a few days if your unit needs repair.

Conventional Water Heater Pros and Cons

The benefits of a conventional water heater are that they are lower maintenance over their lifetime compared to tankless water heaters. A tankless unit requires yearly maintenance to remove build-up on the unit. However, there is little to no maintenance required on their traditional tank water heater counterparts.

Conventional water heaters also have a low initial cost and are considered a more affordable option up-front. Tankless water heaters will save you money in the long run, but it can take a while to see a return on your initial investment.

If you have a conventional water heater anywhere other than the ground floor, we firmly believe that it is in your best interest to switch to a tankless water heater. The risk of a conventional water heater leaking through the ceiling is definitely not worth the risk especially if the water heater is more than 7 years old.

In Conclusion

Both tankless and conventional water heaters can be excellent choices. Our professionals are here to help you weigh your options before making a decision. If you living in the Charlotte, NC area and would like to schedule water heater repair services or tankless water heater installation, our team would love to help. Reach out to get started on your water heater services!

Have additional questions about which type of water heater is best for you? Contact the team at AAA City Plumbing and speak with an expert. Proudly serving Charlotte, Rock Hill, and North Carolina.