As winter approaches, it is time to start seriously thinking about water heaters. Granted, water heaters are important appliances all year round, but as the thermometer dips into freezing temperatures, it is especially important that you have a water heater that can keep your water warm when the outside temperatures fall. As you may know, there are several types of water heaters currently available on the market, including gas boilers, tankless boilers, gas heaters, and tankless heaters. This article will list some of the specs – and examine some of the pros and cons – of purchasing a standard gas heater vs. purchasing a standard tankless heater. Consulting with your trusted water heater plumbing company is advised, as they can make recommendations based on your specific situation.
Gas Heaters And Gas Boilers
Gas water heaters and gas boilers will heat dozens of gallons of water at a time. The water is then stored in a tank, to be used when a faucet is turned on. The size of the tank in a gas heater or gas boiler can vary, depending on the model you buy. That being said, the tanks in most gas heaters and gas boilers range from 30-50 gallons. To put that in perspective, the average American uses around 90 gallons of water per day. Chances are, the water will not stay in the tank for very long. The water stays hot while it is in the tank. The tank is then refilled once hot water is used.
As with any appliance, there are both pros and cons of owning gas heaters and gas boilers. Ultimately, the decision to purchase gas heaters or gas boilers as opposed to tankless heaters or tankless boilers will come down to personal preference, as well as the needs of your particular household. One distinct advantage of gas heaters over tankless heaters is that gas heaters (and gas boilers) are cheaper to purchase. They are also easier (and therefore cheaper) to install and replace. This means less time and money up front.
Most of the cons related to gas heaters and gas boilers arise over the life of the appliance. For one thing, gas heaters and boilers tend to have a shorter life span than the tankless variety. Gas heaters and gas boilers also lead to a higher heating bill than tankless heaters and tankless boilers—especially during the winter time.
Tankless Heaters And Tankless Boilers
We alluded to the fact that tankless heaters and tankless boilers tend to last longer than their gas counterparts. In fact, they tend to last nearly twice as long as gas heaters and gas boilers. Tankless heaters are also smaller and more compact than gas heaters, so you have more options for installation. Also, due to the fact that water is not being preheated and stored in a tank, tankless heaters and tankless boilers lead to lower utility costs than gas heaters and gas boilers. Thus, even though the initial cost of tankless heaters and tankless boilers is more expensive than that of the traditional gas heaters and boilers, the costs tend to even out in the long run.