Tankless or Traditional Water Heater?

Trying to make the decision between a tankless or traditional water heater? We recommend weighing the pros and cons of both before deciding.

Buying a new water heater for your home is never a quick or easy decision. There are many quality brands to choose from, and each has their own unique features. Additionally, many consumers are switching to demand (tankless) water heaters. Going tankless means a higher starting price tag, but offers numerous advantages, including a compact design, lower energy costs, and, most importantly, unlimited hot water!

At Ray Lusk Plumbing, we’ve been installing hot water heaters since 1980, and we’re ready to help you make an informed decision about the water heater that will be right for your home. Unlike many other plumbing companies, we don’t limit our clients to one brand. We offer water heaters by Navien, Takagi, AO Smith, Rheem, Rinnai, State, and many more! Keeping them in competition with each other saves our customers money! Contact us for a free consultation, and we’ll show you the features of the water heaters that we carry, and help you find the best fit. Here are a few of the questions that we will ask:

How long will you continue to live in your home?
If you live in a small starter home that you intend to sell in a few years, you’re probably better off replacing the unit with something similar. A tankless water heater can definitely improve a home’s resale value, but could also make it harder to sell in a leaner economy.

What is your current water usage?
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, “for homes that use 41 gallons or less of hot water daily, demand water heaters can be 24%–34% more energy efficient than conventional storage tank water heaters (energy.gov).” For a larger home that uses more hot water, you can maximize energy savings by installing demand heaters in multiple locations.

Can you afford a higher initial cost if it means long-term savings?
Ultimately, this is the most important question. Tankless water heaters offer instant energy savings, a longer lifespan, and a steady stream of hot water. They’re a great investment, and they can pay for themselves over time in terms of energy savings. But this shouldn’t suggest that there’s anything wrong with traditional water heaters, and we offer quality products that will fit any budget!