If you’ve had your hot water heater tank for 10, 12 or even 15 years, you’ve learned to live with the threat of waking up one morning and stepping into a cold shower. But why risk it?
According to some manufacturers, suggested service life of a hot water heater is eight to twelve years. If yours has lasted longer than that, you’re right to feel queasy about its operational life. Even so, when it comes to some home appliances, we like to live on the edge and push it until they abruptly cease working. Rather than accepting what the averages tell us and replace the tank in advance of a cold morning shower—or the disaster of a flooded finished basement—we remain optimistic that neither will be as bad as our nightmares portend.
Or so we hope.
But whether you decide to be proactive and replace your hot water heater now, or let it ride and try to get a few more years out of it, when it comes time to replace the old with the new, Stashluk Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning and Generators is the homeowner’s best choice for Florham Park NJ Hot Water Heater Replacement.
Which is best for your home? A tank or tankless hot water heater?
Tankless hot water heaters have been around for a while but they are becoming increasingly more popular because of their energy efficiency and space saving footprint. In fact, there is no footprint! As the name suggests, with a tankless hot water heater there is no tank, so you suddenly gain a few more square feet of floor space in your basement for storage or a tool bench because a tankless system is mounted to the wall.
Deciding whether to choose a tank or tankless system comes down to a set of factors that Stashluk can help you navigate. For example, a tankless system heats the water on demand, meaning there is no burner turning on and off under the tank as hot water gets depleted. This makes tankless systems very efficient.
On the other hand, the flip side of a tankless water heater is that the flow rate may not be able to meet demand. The more hot water that’s needed—such as when shower faucets and an automatic dishwasher are running simultaneously—the greater the chance that a tankless heater will not be able to keep up and produce enough hot water.
Tankless water heaters last longer, cost more to install.
When properly maintained, a tankless hot water system can outlast a tank hot water heater by an average of 5-10 years. This can help offset the initial installation costs of a tankless system which are significantly higher. In fact, one two-year study reported a 20- to 40-year payback for the tankless water heaters.
Points to consider before deciding on tank vs. tankless Hot Water Heater Replacement
There are more differences than similarities between the two hot water systems. While both systems can run on natural gas, oil, propane or electricity, that’s pretty much where the likenesses end. Here’s a look at the pros and cons of each.
Pros of conventional tank hot water heaters:
- Upfront costs are easier on your budget
- Tank systems have been around for years and are a proven quantity
- Fit easily with your home’s current heating fuel, plumbing or electric infrastructure
- Emergency fresh water if needed
Cons:
- External insulation should be added to curtail standby energy loss
- Increased chance of leakage and flooding
- Once hot water is depleted, it takes longer to reheat the tank
- Lifespan shorter than tankless systems
Pros of tankless hot water heaters:
- Longer lifespan
- More energy efficient
- Hot water on demand
- Saves floor space in tight areas
- Longer warranties are typically available
Cons:
- Upfront costs are much higher than tank systems, potentially outweighing long-term savings
- Regular maintenance is required. Failure to maintain can shorten operational life span
- Your home may require electrical wiring or other changes to accommodate a tankless system
Which hot water heater is more cost-efficient to operate?
An Energy Star-rated tankless water heater will save you about $100 annually on energy costs, according to Energy.gov. That sounds good until you compare the initial installation costs to a tank system. But let’s say your concerns about energy efficiency outweigh the high initial costs of purchase and installation. If that’s the case you might be able to come out even or ahead in the long run, or at least know that you are doing your part to protect the environment.
Stashluk installs and repairs all leading brands of hot water heater tanks and tankless systems.
Want to know more about Florham Park NJ Hot Water Heater Replacement? Contact Stashluk.
Stashluk is your Florham Park, NJ hot water heater replacement expert. We the local factory-trained and authorized dealer, licensed and insured to sell, install and service all major brands of tank and tankless hot water heaters. We are also knowledgeable about fuel types, local building code requirements and safety issues. We can inspect your hot water heater and let you know whether it has life left in it, or if it’s a better idea to replace it with a new hot water tank or tankless system. If you haven’t followed a regular maintenance plan for your hot water heater, give us a call for a free estimate at (908) 277-6200. We also offer 24/7 Emergency Service.
