Tankless Water Heaters vs. Traditional Water Heaters

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Pipeline Plumbing & Drain Specialists offers fast and cost-effective traditional and tankless water heater installation and repair services in Murrieta, CA and the surrounding areas of Riverside County. Whether you’re looking to maintain your current model or are considering an upgrade from your old water heater, our technicians can help you find the best solution to fit your home.

The Difference Between

Tankless & Traditional Storage Tank Water Heaters

The type of water heater you have in your home can have a significant effect on your comfort and energy costs. Each water heater works differently, and both have unique benefits.

Tankless Water Heaters

Tankless water heaters, also known as on-demand water heaters, use high-powered burners to rapidly heat water as it runs through a heat exchanger and deliver it directly to your faucets or shower without storing it in a tank. Tankless water heaters are usually powered with electricity or gas.

Installing a tankless water heater can provide nearly unlimited hot water when configured correctly, and thanks to its superior energy efficiency, installing a tankless system can also save homeowners hundreds of dollars over time and offer a significantly longer average lifespan.

Traditional Storage Tank Water Heaters

Traditional storage tank water heaters, on the other hand, use an insulated tank that typically holds 40-75 gallons of water to heat and store the water until it’s needed. A pipe emerges from the top of the tank to deliver hot water to its destination (kitchen, bathroom, or other sinks).

Benefits of Installing a Tankless Water Heater

Benefits of a Tankless Water Heater

For many homeowners, considering a new tankless water heater installation can be a challenge. While there is an increased upfront cost, a new tankless unit offers plenty of benefits. Not only is it a great way to upgrade any home, but homeowners can expect:

Reduced energy consumption and utility costs
Smaller size for flexible installation in more locations (even outside)
No tank to leak or cause flooding
Up to twice the lifespan of conventional water heaters
Possible city offered rebates and discounts for the installation of tankless water heaters (Call (951) 289-5514 to learn more!)

Compared to a Traditional Water Heater

A traditional gas water heater generally utilizes a large storage tank of 40-75 gallons that is constantly heated. Usually, these tanks hold enough hot water to meet the needs of the entire home; however, they can take a long time to refill and reheat as they age.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Tankless Water Heaters vs. Traditional Water Heaters

About the Basics

What is a tankless water heater?

Tankless water heaters do not depend on storage tanks like typical water heaters. Instead, tankless water heaters heat water on demand, as you need it. Call Pipeline Plumbing & Drain Specialists today to learn how a tankless water heater can benefit you and your home.

How can a tankless water heater heat water instantly?

Using an elite system of technology, tankless water heaters are engineered to heat water as soon as the hot water tap is activated. As water rushes through the tankless heater, it becomes heated by either an electric heating coil or gas burner. The heated water then distributes throughout the home.

Is a tankless water heater better than a regular tank water heater?

Tankless water heaters have its advantages over regular water heater. Tankless water heaters are more energy efficient, saving homeowners over $100 annually, and tend to last twice as long as a regular water heater. Call Pipeline Plumbing & Drain Specialists to talk to one of our water heater experts on finding the water heater that is best suited for your household needs and budget.

Can you take a long shower with a tankless water heater?

Yes! With on demand heating, you can enjoy a hot shower for as long as you desire.

About the Benefits

How much money can I save?

According to the Department of Energy, tankless water heaters typically save homeowners around $100 per year on energy costs compared to their storage tank counter part.

Will a tankless water heater increase my electric bill?

According to the US Department of Energy, gas-fired tankless water heaters can save homeowners an average of $108 per year.

How long will it take for a tankless water heater to pay for itself?

The length of time it takes for a tankless water heater to pay for itself will vary depending on residential usage, utility rates and cost of installation. On average, however, it can take about 7-10 years for a tankless water heater to pay for itself.

Besides saving money, what other benefits are there of using a tankless water heater?

Another benefit of having a tankless water heater is that the water won’t go stale. Unlike storage tank water heaters, hot water is generated on demand – and not just sitting in a tank becoming stale. Also with its compact size, tankless water heaters are a great addition to smaller homes.

Is a tankless water heater more energy efficient than a storage tank water heater?

Yes! Tankless water heaters are more energy efficient because it only heats water when you need it. Unlike storage tank water heaters, tankless water heaters do not waste energy by having to keep the tank heated 24/7.

About the Size

Will one tankless water heater be enough to heat my entire home?

It depends on the size of your household and their demand for hot water, especially during peak hours. Call Pipeline Plumbing & Drain Specialists today to select the right tankless water heater for your home needs.

How do I properly size my tankless water heater?

To determine the correct size for your tankless water heater, we’ll first need to determine how much hot water you typically consume, including the number of appliances you wish to run and their total flow rate (gallons per minute). Our team at Pipeline Plumbing & Drain Specialists can help match you with the right tankless water heater for your residential needs. Give us a call today at (951) 289-5514 for a complementary phone consultation.

How many bathrooms can a tankless water heater handle?

Hot water coverage depends on the size of the tankless water heater installed. Call Pipeline Plumbing & Drain Specialists for our expert advice on choosing the right tankless water heater for your hot water needs.

What size tankless water heater do I need to replace a 40-gallon water heater?

To replace a 40-gallon tank water heater with a tankless water heater, here are a few guidelines:

A household of 2-3 people sharing 1 bathroom may be able to replace their storage tank water heater with a 4.5 GPM tankless water heater.
A household of 3-4 people sharing 2 bathrooms should be able to replace their storage tank water heater with a 6.5 GPM tankless heater.

Give Pipeline Plumbing & Drain Specialists a call today to determine the right sized tankless water heater for your household needs.

About the Potential Downsides

What are the downsides of a tankless water heater?

Although tankless water heaters offer many benefits, downsides include: 1) Output challenges – If many people within the home are simultaneously using hot water (i.e. taking showers, washing dishes, and doing laundry simultaneously), the tankless water heater may fail to keep up with demand. 2) Higher upfront cost – Tankless water heaters tend to cost more than storage tank water heaters. Call Pipeline Plumbing & Drain Specialists to ask about current tankless water heaters rebates and specials.

What are the most common problems with tankless water heaters?

The most common problems with tankless water heaters include: Mineral buildup, system overload, flame failure, and ignition failure. If you experience any of these problems, our team of trained technicians are standing by and are ready to help!

Can you run out of hot water with a tankless water heater?

Yes, when the tankless water heater is overwhelmed by the demand. For example, running 2 showers simultaneously with the washer and dishwasher. Call Pipeline Plumbing & Drain Specialists today to discuss the right size tankless water heater for you and your household needs.

Water Heater Cost Differences

Tankless water heaters do cost more than a traditional storage tank water heater, but tankless varieties last much longer – anywhere between 20-30 years, which is double that of conventional models. And because they are much more energy efficient, tankless models can save you hundreds of dollars on water and electricity bills each month.

If you are considering a tankless water heater, our 5-star rated service team can help to walk you through your options. From installation location to size and type of tankless heater, we’re here to help you understand what to consider when selecting your new water heater.

Contact our team at Pipeline Plumbing & Drain Specialists today for honest, realistic advice about all of your residential water heater needs!

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