Choose the Right Water Heater in Mill Valley, CA
When your water runs cold, or your heater breaks down like clockwork, any water heater can seem like the right water heater. But since newer water heater can last upwards of 15 years, and newer tankless heaters can last 20 or even 25 years, it's important to make a decision you can be happy with. That's why our Mill Valley plumbing contractors want to help you with your water heater decision.
Conventional Water Heaters
A modern conventional water heater won't look much different from the unit you probably have installed right now, but you should notice the real differences - the ones that matter - right off the bat. Since modern water heaters take advantage of superconductor heat transfer elements and high-insulator spacer elements, you can expect your water heater to be dramatically more efficient. Your hot water will typically be hotter, your cycle times (when the heater has to run to refresh your hot water supply) should be fewer and further between, and your energy will be a little lower.
Pros:
- Lower up-front cost
- Flexibility of use
- No additional hookups necessary
- Cheaper repair costs
- Interchangeable parts
Cons:
- Limited hot water supply
- Lower efficiency
- Shorter lifespan
- Larger footprint
- Less reliable
Tankless Water Heaters
You may have seen tankless water heaters in the wild, like in hardware stores, wealthier homes, and featured prominently in season four of Breaking Bad, but most people don't know much about them. Tankless water heaters, by up-and-coming brands such as Rinnai and Takagi, provide instantaneous hot water when necessary, by means of incredibly high-efficiency superconducting heat transfer elements. Tankless water heaters take up only a fraction of the space of a full-size conventional heater, which can be a game changer in a garage or a tight water heater closet, and their heating capacity is much higher. It's important to note, however, that while a tankless water heater can provide a continuous stream of hot water (for infinitely-long showers!), it can only provide hot water to so many fixtures and appliances simultaneously. As long as you don't run two showers, a sink, a dishwasher and a washing machine at the same time, this should not be a serious limitation for most homeowners.
Pros:
- Unlimited hot water supply
- Higher efficiency
- Longer lifespan
- Smaller footprint
- More reliable
Pros:
- Higher up-front cost
- Less simultaneous water usage
- Additional hookups may be necessary
- Higher repair costs
- Specialized parts
Which One is Right for Me?
The absolute easiest way to find out is to call one of our Mill Valley CA plumbing contractors. We can help walk you through the costs associated with each option and help you understand your real hot water needs to ensure that you're paired with the best hot water for your needs and lifestyle. Call today to schedule an appointment, or click here to use our online request form.