Are you trying to decide whether a tankless or tank-based water heater is the better option for your home? When it comes to choosing a water heater, one factor you should always focus on is energy efficiency. Another thing you want to think about is how long you can expect your new water heater to last. In this regard, a tankless unit is always the superior option since it will have a longer lifespan than a tank water heater.
Comparing the Lifespan of Tankless and Tank Water Heaters
When it comes to any type of storage tank water heater, the average life expectancy is about 15 years. If you have a gas tank water heater, you likely won’t get more than 12 years out of it at the very most. Any gas or electric tank water heater you install should last at least 20 years, and it’s not uncommon for some units to last for 25 to 30 years. Part of the reason that tankless water heaters last longer is that they work on demand instead of constantly having to keep the water fully hot. They also have fewer components than tank units, and many of their components can be replaced easily. Nonetheless, the main reason they last longer is that they don’t have the same issues with rust and corrosion that plague tank water heaters.
The main reason that most tank water heaters end up needing to be replaced is due to rust and corrosion that eventually results in the tank beginning to leak. A leaky hot water tank is an extremely serious issue since the tank will often end up completely rupturing if you wait too long to drain the unit and replace it. Tankless water heaters generally don’t have any issues with corrosion since they don’t store water. The water that flows through the unit when it’s on is fully contained within a series of copper pipes, which are almost fully resistant to corrosion.
The Difference Regular Maintenance Makes for a Water Heater’s Lifespan
A tankless water heater will almost always last at least a few years longer than a tank water heater, but the time frame depends largely on how often it is professionally inspected and serviced. Annual inspections are important since they allow you to identify any issues that could be causing your water heater to not perform as effectively. Getting issues fixed promptly can make a difference in your water heater’s lifespan by reducing how much wear and tear it experiences each time it needs to run.
In terms of maintenance, one of the most important things you need to do every year is flush and descale the water heater to get rid of any mineral deposits. Even though Long Island has relatively soft water with a low concentration of dissolved minerals, you’ll still end up with some mineral deposits and limescale forming inside your water heater. If you don’t descale the unit regularly, you can end up with so much limescale buildup that it’s almost impossible to get rid of. The main issue with limescale is that it can create a barrier that prevents heat from easily flowing out of the unit’s heat exchanger into the water. As a result, there can come a time when the unit can no longer heat the water to as hot as it should. You’ll need to replace your water heater to ensure your water again gets fully hot.
Additional Benefits of Installing a Tankless Water Heater
In addition to having a longer life expectancy, tankless water heaters have a few other advantages that make them superior to tank units. The main one is in terms of efficiency and energy use. A tankless water heater may result in your energy bills being at least a bit lower. The only time this may not be the case is if your household uses an abnormally high amount of hot water on most days. The other main advantage is that tankless water heaters are quite small and don’t take up anywhere near the amount of space that tank water heaters do. That means you can free up additional space that you can then use for storage or whatever else you want.
If you’re searching for a top-rated plumbing company in Bohemia, NY, Fix-A-Leak is the one to trust. We’ve been serving our residents for more than 20 years and have the experience to handle all your hot water, plumbing, and boiler needs. Whether you’re trying to decide which water heater to install or require any other plumbing service, contact our team today to get the expert advice and assistance your home and family deserve.
