Quote:
Originally Posted by pconroy
If we stop you right there, then I'm positive the answer is "Yes!"  |
The fundamental difference... everyone compares the Storage Tank water heater to the Tankless water heater - but expects the same outcomes. There are arguments for and against both types, depending on what they want / expect from them.
Having had both types for the past 35 years - here are our observations about each:
Tank type: Take Fuel and Time to heat a tank of water - before you can use it. In winter, it could take an hour to heat up before the burner shut off. They need to stay ON and will use more fuel if you want to have hot water two hours from now or tomorrow morning. If you wash your hands and use a little hot water, you will introduce cold water into the tank and it kick on the burner and use more fuel to heat the entire tank back to temperature. If you turn off the faucet and back on again - you get the same hot water from the tank, until it is all gone (cold) and you then have to wait until more fuel and heat are provided to heat that tank of water back to temperature. When you are done with it... you have heated an extra 6-10 gallons of water that was not used.
Tankless: It takes 4-8 seconds for the heater to light and start heating water after the water flow starts. Hot water is exiting the tank and entering the RV plumbing in about 12 seconds. (you do not need the faucet open full, half full works the same) If the water flow is stopped or reduced significantly, the heater will stop until water flow is started again - or the output temperature is below safe temperature (and the start up cycle begins again) Tankless heaters are impacted when the water-flow is interrupted or reduced below it's operating threshold, just as our Home / Commercial Tankless water heater does. Once the water is turned off - the heater is off, using no more fuel.
If you have a wife and kids that do take a long shower, with a tankless - they can shower right after one another and you will have hot water for the last one as did the first - they won't have to wait until the water heater catches up or fight for the first shower as they would with a tank-type.
Tankless heaters are very sensitive to water pressure / flow. They work best at a constant flow volume where they are responding to the output temperature of the heater by adjusting the burner. Inconsistent pressure and water flow result in inconsistent output temperatures as the heater is adjusting for the right temperature on the outlet pipe.
Tank heaters will supply you with Hot water it has in the tank... after you have run the water thru the pipes (like your house waiting for hot water in the shower). Once the pipes have hot water, you can turn the hot water on / off and get hot water that was in the pipes/tank right away... no cold water interruptions.
Which one is right for you? it all depends on how you expect to use it and what you expect out of it. There are benefits to both types, the cost to operate it and of course the cost of the heater... YOU decide.
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