Tankless vs storage systems – It pays to know the difference.

Hot water is essential for cleaning, cooking, laundry and so many other everyday activities. As a vital piece of equipment for your home, it pays to get all the facts about the types of hot water heaters available, to make sure that you have the best one for your needs and that will help you save on energy costs all year round.

Types of hot water heater.

There are two types of water heaters that you can choose from to heat water in your home:

• Tankless water heaters
• Storage water heaters

However, each of these types of heaters function in very different ways. Below we detail important facts about how they work and energy efficiency that you should be aware of before purchasing either a tankless or storage water heater for your home.

Tankless water heaters

• High-powered burners heat water as it passes through a heat exchanger, which delivers it directly to showers, faucets, etc.
• Often referenced to as “on-demand” water heaters and as the name clearly states, water that is heated is not stored in a tank.
• Usually powered by natural gas or electricity.
• Provide up to 34% more energy efficiency than storage tank water heaters, which means better energy savings for you
• Use less than 41 gallons or less of hot water each day compared to storage tank heaters
• Normally more expensive than storage tank heaters but normally last longer, increasing the heater’s life span from 10 or 15 years to over 20
• Potential to save up to 27%-50% more by installing a tankless water heater at each hot water outlet.

Tank storage water heaters

• More common in US homes, as they have been around longer than any tankless alternative.

• Obviously have a tank, which stores up to 30-50 gallons of water, which is heated to a previously set temperature, which you can set and control, and stored until needed.
• Hot water is then forced through a pipe at the top of the tank and delivered to showers, kitchen or wherever it is required.
• As a precaution, tank storage heaters have a release valve that opens when either temperature or pressure exceeds your previously set levels.
• Usually heat water in the tank powered by natural gas or electricity to heat the water in the tank.
• Tanks powered by natural gas use almost 50% less energy than those that use electricity. However, natural gas systems are normally a little more expensive than electric systems.

• Less complex to repair than tankless systems, so repair costs are more affordable.
• Easier to operate than a tankless system.
• The latest storage tank systems are more energy-efficient, meaning better year-round energy savings for you.

As your local home service experts, you can rely on Region Energy for the latest, energy-efficient tankless and storage hot water heaters from all major brands. Please give us a call today to learn which hot water system is best for you. One of our hot water heating equipment experts will come to visit you to provide a no obligation assessment and discuss the best size and type of energy-efficient hot water heater required to best fit your home and budget. The Region Energy team is also here for you 24/7 to take care of any of your hot water system installation and repair needs – in any weather!

Call today for more information.

877.359.2151