Have you ever been in the middle of a shower when the water turns ice cold? At some point it’s likely happened to most of us. Many times, it’s just because the hot water ran out, but it can also be a sign it’s time for a new water heater. If your hot water heater can’t keep up or is showing signs of age let Kotz Heating, Cooling & Plumbing end the cold shower treatment by installing a new water heater install in your Waterford, MI home.

Choose your type

This is the first step in the replacement process. For decades nearly all homes came equipped with a tank style water heater. It uses gas, propone, or electricity to heat the water in a large tank. Now there’s a 2nd choice as many homes are equipped with a tankless water heater. It doesn’t store water but rather heats the water as it’s needed.

Explain the difference

In this case the names are self-explanatory. A tank style water heater typically holds 40, 50, or 60 gallons of water. Twenty-four hours a day the heating element turns on and off to keep the water hot even when no water is being used. This is a waste of energy. Additionally, a tank style can run out of hot water. The heating element in a tankless system doesn’t turn on until you open a hot water tap somewhere in the home. The system is designed to provide nearly instantaneous hot water. This also means a tankless heater will never run out because the water is heated as it’s used.

Comparing costs

It’s tough to give a cut and dried answer as to which one costs less. You can have a tank style water heater install for less money upfront, but you will spend more on utility bills. Spending the extra money on a tankless system water heater install could give you a return on your investment, but it might take several years. It’s easy to install either type in new construction but replacing an existing tank-style heater with a tankless system could mean higher installation costs. One other factor, a tankless water heater will usually last significantly longer than tank-style, but both require regular maintenance to maximize lifespan.

Wide selection

Kotz Heating, Cooling & Plumbing will be happy to talk with you about the best choice for your situation. You can choose from a wide variety of models and types from reputable manufacturers. When you buy from Kotz you can be assured your new water heater will be installed on time and on budget.