Everything You Need to Know About Types of Water Heaters

June 13, 2023

We've got a round-up of everything you need to know about water heaters. Learn about the pros and cons of tankless and storage tank units and so much more.

water heater in home

There is so much more to water heaters than meets the eye. The average American household relies on their water heater for so many daily chores. Think about it; you use hot water not only for showers and baths but also for laundry, dishes, cooking, cleaning, and more. If you’re doing things around the house, chances are, you need your hard-working water heater. That’s why when it’s time to replace or repair your water heater, it’s essential to know how they work and the options available to make the best choice for your household.


What Are the Types of Water Heaters?

Depending on the goals and size of the space the water heater is servicing, there is a wide range of different water heater types. The main five are storage water heaters, tankless water heaters, heat pump waters, solar water heaters, and condensing water heaters. Although we could do a deep dive into all of them, we will stick with the two that the vast majority of households have in their homes.


Storage Water Heaters

These are the most common type of water heaters in most single-family homes. They are the big tanks that may be located in your garage, attic, utility closet, or other space that is out of sight in your home. They are designed with a heating element built-in that heats and holds a large amount of hot water that is at your disposal in a matter of minutes. These are the most affordable water heaters on the market because they have been around the longest and have tons of different brands doing manufacturing. These large insulated tanks can hold anywhere from 30 to 80 gallons of water at a time, depending on the size of your tank, and are a great option if you’re looking for convenience and affordability.


The cons with storage water heaters are that the hot water has a finite amount. Although they can hold a ton of hot water, if you’re trying to do a load of laundry, the dishes, and after-dinner bath time for all the kids, chances are someone will get stuck with a lukewarm shower. They are also typically powered by electricity or gas. While they have made significant improvements to cut energy costs, they're still not as efficient as other models on the market. Lastly, if there is a leak within the storage tank, it may cause water damage where the heater is located. This is rare, but it still can happen when dealing with large amounts of stored water.


Tankless Heaters

These are gaining popularity because they are energy efficient and give you endless hot water on demand. A tankless heater is made to rapidly heat cold water as it passes through a short series of super-heater coils. This provides an endless supply of hot water. Tankless heaters are also substantially smaller than the standard tank heater, making them ideal for anyone looking to save space. However, they are great because they can service homes of all sizes with one tank.


Sometimes larger homes need more than one storage tank heater, whereas most homes need only one tankless heater. They are also much more energy efficient and can be powered with natural gas or electricity. Storage tank heaters can waste energy by heating and reheating the same water tank multiple times until it is used. In contrast, tankless heaters only heat the amount of water needed. The average tankless water heater can save you up to $1,500 in energy savings over the heater's lifetime.


The downside to tankless heaters is that they are generally more expensive to purchase and install. Therefore, if upfront cost and budget is a major concern, a standard storage tank may be the option for you.


TLH Water Heater Services

"We specialize in all water heater installations and repairs. We are Rinnai Certified and stand by their products and quality when thinking about making the switch to tankless. Whether you're looking to fix an existing unit or want a new installation, we're here to help. Call our customer care line at (615) 953-8252 if you have any questions or want to get on our schedule today!"

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