There’s been an ongoing debate with regard to the two main types of water heaters, namely, Tankless and Storage Tank Water Heaters. Tankless water heaters—also referred to as instantaneous or demand-type water heaters—are used to provide hot water as it is required. Unlike tank water heaters, tankless water heaters do not produce standby energy losses. On the other hand; storage tank water heaters hold a large quantity of hot water—around 20 to 80 gallons—in a storage tank. As the name suggests, they can be quite large and require a lot of space within your house.

Tankless vs. Storage Tank Water Heaters: Which is Better?

Both types of heaters supply hot water; however, they do so in different ways. Let’s discuss their pros and cons to help you make an informed choice.

Aesthetics and Size

As mentioned earlier, Storage Tank Water Heaters are big and require a considerable amount of space, making it difficult to install them indoors. The size can even pose a problem for installing them outside your home, especially if you have a smaller outdoor area. Moreover, it can also affect the exterior aesthetic of your house. Conversely, tankless water heaters are small, portable devices that are about the size of a small suitcase, or even smaller. As tankless water heaters take less space, they can be easily mounted inside, as well as outside your home, without dominating its exterior appearance. RTEX-18 Professional Classic Series

Energy Consumption

Storage Tank Water Heaters use energy 24/7, in order to maintain the warm temperature of the water stored in the tank. On the other hand, tankless water heaters only need to run when the hot water is actually required, as it can instantly heat up the water temperature. According to a report, tankless water heaters produce 75% less CO2 greenhouse gas emissions when compared to storage tank water systems. In essence, tankless water heaters produce lower the amount of CO2 emission and minimize wastage of energy, making them a smart, eco-friendly choice for your home.

Life Span

A typical storage tank water heater has a life span of more than a decade—ranging between 10 to 15 years—and the warranty period is around 5 to 10 years. On the other hand, tankless water heaters can last up to a couple of decades or even more, if properly taken care of. The warranty periods for these units typically range between 10 to 12 years.

Supply Capacity of Hot Water

Storage tank water heaters can provide a certain number of gallons of hot water at a time, depending upon its storage capacity, which is usually between 35 to 45 gallons. Once the entire water stored in the tank is used up, it takes some time for fresh water to heat up in the tank. Conversely, a tankless water heater provides a continuous and instantaneous flow of hot water; therefore, it can maintain an indefinite supply of hot water. Hence, the chances of running out of hot water will be virtually eliminated.

Quality of Water

There is a likelihood that hot water accessed through a storage tank water heater may pick up tiny bits and particles of rust, sediment and corrosion that might have gradually built up within the tank. If not cleaned on a regular basis, there’s a potential risk for bacterial growth and diseases such as Legionnaires’ disease, which can cause severe pneumonia and prove to be fatal. On the contrary, there’s no storage tank in tankless water heating system to rust; therefore, the water remains cleaner and free from corrosive particles. If you’re looking to purchase a storage tank or tankless water heater in Miami, contact Miami Water heater. We’ve been in the business for more than 70 years, offering quality water heating solutions to our clients in South Florida. We have a team of licensed and insured technicians with decades of experience in the industry, allowing us to offer safe and quick installation of the storage tank or tankless water heater in Miami.