Tank or Tankless - What Type of Water Heater is best for You?

In addition to providing plumbing services for new construction in and around the Fort Worth area, NCT Plumbing also repairs and replaces both tank and tankless water heaters. We’ve been servicing the Fort Worth/Dallas areas for over 50 years and know all the key differences between traditional tank water heaters and tankless. If you think you may be in the market for a new hot water heater in the near future and aren’t sure what the best option is for you and your family, read on…

Cost

On average tankless water heaters cost more than traditional storage tank water heaters for both the unit and for installation – particularly as retrofitting is required when moving from a tank heater to tankless.

Winner: Tank

Energy Efficiency

Tankless water heaters are often promoted as much more energy efficient than storage tank options, but the separation between the two has diminished. Today's tank water heaters are much more energy efficient than they were in the past.

Winner: Tankless

Space Saving

Tankless water heaters take up much less space than traditional options. They can potentially be installed in a garage, or closet, and if necessary, can sometimes be installed outside of your home. Tank water heaters should never be installed outside as they are not meant to tolerate adverse weather conditions.

Winner: Tankless

Volume

For individuals or smaller families, tankless on demand water systems will probably provide plenty of hot water consistently at the turn of the tap. But for larger families who often use multiple hot water sources simultaneously (such as someone showering while another person is doing dishes) or use in excess of 80 gallons of water daily, storage tank systems may be the better choice.

Winner: Tank

Maintenance

With regular maintenance, your standard water heater may last up to 15 years without giving you problems as long as it is regularly maintained. A tankless water heater could last 20 years or more. If you’re not sure how your current system is holding up, consider calling in the pros to have a look. NCT Plumbing is always available to visit your home to inspect the condition of your water heater and give you all the options for its maintenance and eventual replacement.

Winner: Tankless

In Case of Emergency

Tank water heaters hold hot water and are designed to keep it hot. Therefore in the event of a power failure, you will still have a tankful of hot water for a period of time. That is not the case with a tankless system as the water is heated on demand. No power = no hot water.

Winner: Tank

As you can see, there are several key differences between the two types of systems and no obvious winner when it comes to what is best. It’s really up to you – deciding what’s right for your family is a personal decision, but we can help. Contact us with questions or to schedule service and check out our Water Heaters page for more details. We offer replacements on short notice and offer multiple warranty options to suit your budget.