The general function of both water heaters with a tank and tankless water heaters is the same. Some kind of element heats water for you to use in your home. Usually, the water heater will use either gas or electricity to heat the water.
Water Heaters With Tanks
These water heaters come in many different sizes. Small water heaters only hold 20 gallons, which is barely enough for even just one person. After all, a load of laundry takes 30 gallons, so such a water heater would only be good for a home that didn’t have a washing machine or even a dishwasher. A dishwasher load would take 70% of the water in a 20-gallon tank. Usually, a 40-gallon tank is good for a single person. For two people, 40 gallons will work, but a 60-gallon tank would be better. Once you reach 80-gallon tanks, if you need more than that, then just add 10 gallons to the size of the tank per person more than five who live in the home. For more information on determining the size of water heater you need, consult our guide.
The heating element heats the water in the tank, and the rate at which it heats the water is called the “first-hour rating.” The FHR is how many gallons of water the tank can heat in one hour. You usually want the FHR to be a higher number than the number of gallons the tank holds. That way, the tank can continue to provide hot water even after all the water that it already heated is used up. Water heaters with tanks are much less expensive than tankless water heaters in the beginning, but they cost up to 30% more to run every month than their tankless counterparts. Additionally, their lifespan can vary, so understanding how long a water heater lasts is important.
Tankless Water Heaters
Rather than have a tank that holds a certain number of gallons, tankless water heaters provide a constant flow of water when activated that’s measured in gallons per minute. The way to decide what kind of tankless water heater to install is to multiply the number of people in the home by two and then use that as the number of gallons per minute the tankless water heater can provide.
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing
We’re dedicated to serving the citizens of our city with the kind of outstanding workmanship and discerning customer service that they’ve come to expect as savvy consumers in the 21st century. With full accreditation and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, we’re trustworthy experts in the plumbing industry. Call us today to make an appointment to talk about water heaters.