Water heaters are a godsend even in the warm, tropical climate of Miami, Florida. That is because they make a bath or shower feel nice and warm, which is what you might need at the end of the day or to start your day or both. Needless to say, a water heater is practically a necessity in the colder months, especially since residents of Miami might not be used to even a slight drop in temperature. There are two main types of water heaters available to choose from: the traditional tank style water heater or a tankless water heater. Both types of hot water heater will give you hot water when you need it, but there are pros and cons to both of them.
But no matter which style of water heating method you choose, you can be sure that MT Construction Group will perform the installation for you. That is because we are fully qualified in water heater installation, so you can be certain that the heater you choose will work perfectly for you once the installation is complete. So, if you want hot water when you need it, contact MT Construction Group so that we can install your brand new water heater for you.
The Difference Between Tankless and Storage Water Heaters
Both types of water heaters deliver hot water when you need it, but their methods of doing so are different. A storage water heater is the more common type in Miami and other cities, and as the name implies, it stores hot water in a tank. Cold water enters from the bottom of the tank, so it is always full.
A tankless water heater— also called an on-demand water heater— heats up the water as you use it, so a tank is not necessary. The water travels through a pipe into the unit, where it gets heated before traveling back through the faucet. Both water heating methods have their advantages and disadvantages, and you need to learn what those are before you decide which one is right for you.
The Pros and Cons of Storage Water Heaters
The advantages of a storage water heater are as follows:
They are affordable – Of the two water heating systems, storage water heaters are much more affordable, which is why so many homes have them. That affordability extends to the maintenance costs of storage water heaters, which tend to be quite low.
They are easy to install – Another reason this kind of water heating system is so popular is that it is very easy to install. Most plumbing jobs can get complicated, but the installation of a storage water heater is relatively simple.
They are easy to maintain – If something goes wrong with a storage water heater, then the problem is usually easy to fix. That is one of the advantages of its relatively simple design.
They provide hot water even in power outages – You will run out of heated water eventually, but you still have access to it for a while even if there is no power.
The disadvantages of storage water heaters are as follows:
They use a lot of energy – Since the water in the tank will get cold if it is not heated, there is a lot of energy usage when it does get turned on. Ironically, they use up even more energy in the colder months when people will be using them more often. That is because they provide slower water heating when it is cold, which eats up a lot more energy.
They require a lot of space – Storage heaters can have tanks that hold up to 80 gallons of water; that means they will need a lot of space to store that tank, meaning that they might not be the best choice for smaller homes.
They have a relatively short life span – Even though they are easy on the plumbing and the maintenance, storage water heaters do not last that long compared to other water heating systems.
The Pros and Cons of Tankless Water Heaters
A tankless water heater has the following advantages:
They are very energy efficient – A storage water heater heats the water all the time, whereas a tankless water heater only heats the water when you need it. That means a lower electricity bill.
They use less space – A tankless water heater is small enough that it can be mounted on a wall and can even fit inside some closets. That makes it the perfect water heating method for homes of all sizes.
No risk of heavy leaks – Since there is no tank, there is no risk of major leaks. A tankless water heater can leak since water flows through it, but there is no risk that the leak will be heavy enough to flood a room.
They are long-lasting – A tankless water heater can last for up to 20 years, which is about twice as long as a storage water heater.
A tankless water heater has the following disadvantages:
They are expensive – A tankless water heating system can cost over three times as much as a storage water heating system. One of the reasons is that the plumbing work can be more complex than storage heaters.
Water heating takes longer – Since the water has to travel through the heater before making a return trip, it can take longer for the heated water to reach the user. Storage water heating systems are not instantaneous either, but they are faster.
Temperature is inconsistent if used by multiple people at once – If more than one person— or even more than one appliance— is using hot water at a time, the tankless heater will not be able to keep up with the demand. That means some people might get warmer water than others.
No power means no warm water – Since this kind of heating system relies on electric power to work, it will not function in a power outage. In contrast, a storage system can keep the heat going for hours without a supply of electric power.
Contact MT Construction Group For Your Water Heater Installation
Now that you know the differences between storage and tankless water heaters, you will know which one is right for your home. But no matter which one you choose, you can rest assured that MT Construction Group will install it perfectly for you. That means no matter where in Miami, FL you happen to live, you will always have a ready supply of warm water for you and your family.