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Tankless or Traditional Water Heater?

This time of year when the temperatures dip to below freezing in Fort Collins and the days are short and the nights long, you appreciate your water heater more. You may be looking forward to a nice, long bath after a long day out-and-about. Or, you want to warm up your hands in warm water after being outside for a spell helping your kids build a snowman. Being able to turn the faucet on and hot water instantly comes out is definitely something you appreciate.

 

However, when your hot water heater goes out, no one’s happy. Showers are unpleasant, clothes don’t get as clean, and washing your hands after going to the restroom is downright irritating.

 

Thankfully, your local plumber in Fort Collins, Calvary Plumbing and Heating, offers 24-hour emergency heater repair services so you can have your hot water heater diagnosed in a snap. However, if the diagnosis is grim and you do need a new hot water heater, we’re here to help. So which should you get: tankless or traditional? Below, we’ll take a look at the differences and then offer up some advice. Contact us today for your next hot water heater repair!

 

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A TANKLESS WATER HEATER AND A TRADITIONAL WATER HEATER?

 

A traditional water heater uses a tank that stores hot water, usually located in your basement or utility room in your home. The tank usually holds between 30 and 50 gallons of hot water and is heated on a continual basis so that when you need hot water, it is available.

 

Tankless hot water heaters (like their name implies) do not have a tank. Instead, they heat water on demand. Thus, when you turn on the shower, the water is heated as it is used. They also take up less space, which makes them popular in condos and apartments.

 

PROS AND CONS OF TANKLESS WATER HEATERS

Tankless water heaters are becoming more commonplace, mainly due to their benefits, which are listed below:

 

  • Use less energy than traditional heaters since they are not constantly heating up water all day long in preparation for use. This can save you hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars in the long run.
  • Take up less space than a traditional water heater that requires a tank.
  • Last longer than traditional water heaters

However, there are drawbacks to tankless water heaters:

 

  • More expensive up front
  • It can be costly to install if you are replacing a traditional water heater
  • May limit the tasks you can do simultaneously, such as taking a shower and running the dishwasher at the same time

 

PROS AND CONS OF TRADITIONAL WATER HEATERS

 

Calvary Plumbing and Heating in Fort Collins notes that traditional water heaters were invented over 100 years ago, and they work great. The design is simple, and it satisfies most people’s hot water needs. It’s only been in recent years that it’s become economical to have tankless hot water heaters. Below, we’ll take a look at the advantages to a traditional hot water heater:

 

  • Much cheaper than a tankless water heater
  • Meets most family’s hot water needs adequately
  • Cheaper to repair since their components are more affordable

 

The cons to a traditional water heater include:

 

  • Heats water continuously, which can lead to a slightly higher utility bills
  • Take up more space than a tankless water heater
  • Need to be replaced more frequently than a tankless water heater

YOU DECIDE BETWEEN TRADITIONAL WATER HEATER AND A TANKLESS WATER HEATER

 

As you can see, it truly comes down to personal preference and the use of hot water in your home. Both traditional hot water heaters and tankless hot water heaters have about the same amount of advantages and disadvantages. For most people, it comes down to cost. Do you want to spend the money up front to save money in the long run, or do you want to save money up front and pay more later?

HOW CALVARY PLUMBING AND HEATING CAN HELP WITH WATER HEATER REPAIRS

 

Calvary Plumbing and Heating in Fort Collins specializes in helping you with your water heater repairs, maintenance, and replacement services. We understand how stressful going without hot water can be, especially if it’s wintertime. Thus, we offer 24-hour emergency plumbing services to help you with your hot water repair. We’ll start with an inspection to diagnose the problem. Then, we’ll make our recommendations and get to work on the repair or the replacement service. We do our best to fix your hot water heater quickly so your life can get back to normal.

 

In addition, we offer plumbing services, from fixing clogged toilets to replacing burst pipes. We offer both commercial and residential plumbing services, as well as bathroom remodeling and sewer system inspection services. When your air conditioning needs attention in the summer or your heater is acting squirrely in the winter, we can help. We believe in offering the best HVAC services at affordable prices. 

 

Our service technicians are certified and have years of experience in helping you get your plumbing and heating back on track. When you call Calvary Plumbing and Heating in Fort Collins, you’ll get service right away. We offer upfront pricing on all of our plumbing, heating, and air conditioning services, as well as free estimates. We are family-owned and operated. Our mission is to exceed your expectations every time. Call us today for your next heating or plumbing inspection!