The Most Popular Types of Water Heaters: Tank and Tankless

Shower heaters are an essential part of modern living, especially in Singapore, where convenience is highly sought after. With the fast pace of life in Singapore, having instantaneous access to hot water allows many to go about their day without a hitch. 

The advancements in water heating technology has brought about greater efficiency, shorter heating times, increased durability and increased comfort for users. Gone are the days of having to wait an unnecessarily long time for your water heater to heat up, with the modern storage water heaters and instant water heaters in the market, everyone is able to enjoy an elevated shower experience. 

In this article, we’ll be exploring the features and benefits of modern storage water heaters and instant water heaters to help you decide which is the best type of shower heater for your household!

Tank Water Heaters

Tank water heaters, also known as storage water heaters, are the traditional type of water heater found in most homes. This water heating appliance consists of a storage tank that stores and heats water. The capacity of a traditional tank water heater typically ranges from 15 to 80 litres. The wide range of capacities available caters to the different hot water demands and needs of each unique household. For example, a 15-litre storage water heater is a suitable capacity to meet the demands of a single person household. On the other hand, a storage water heater with an 80-litre capacity tank would be more suitable for a larger household with a higher hot water consumption.  

It’s important to choose and install the right storage shower heater for your household to minimise wasting any energy or money on an inadequate capacity that doesn’t cater to your needs. Installing the right storage water heater size for your home also helps ensure that the water heating appliance would continue to operate efficiently instead of being overworked if the capacity is too little to meet the hot water demands.

(Rheem’s EHG Slim Smart WiFi Classic Electric Storage Water Heater)

Advantages of storage water heaters:

1. Easy to Install

   Traditional tank water heaters are generally more easy to install as compared to other water heater types. These types of water heaters are also able to be installed in a variety of locations within the home, such as in the bathroom, in the kitchen, in the laundry area or the service yard.

2. Convenience

   Storage water heaters are able to deliver hot water to multiple showers in the household. These water heating appliances store and heat large volumes of water in its tank and are distributed to the different showers it’s connected to.

3. Consistent Water Pressure

   One great advantage of a traditional tank water heater is its ability to provide users with a consistent water pressure despite the number of people using the shower at any instance. As the water is heated and stored inside the storage tank, there is pressure within the storage tank which ensures that there is a consistent flow of hot water to the showerhead. This means that the pressure of the water coming out of the showerhead will not be affected by the water supply pressure or flow rate, which may occur with other types of water heaters.

Disadvantages of storage water heater:

1. Higher Energy Consumption

   Traditional storage water heaters are often kept on to continuously heat and keep the water stored in their tanks heated throughout the day. Because the appliance is kept operating, it leads to higher energy consumption resulting in higher bills.

   However, with the advancement of water heating technology, modern storage water heaters are more energy efficient as they are equipped with features that help promote better heat retention and shorter heating cycles. 

2. Limited Hot Water Supply

   Storage water heaters are only able to rely on a preheated tank of water. Once the hot water in the tank has been depleted, the heater needs time to reheat a new batch of water.

Tankless Water Heaters

Tankless water heaters are also known as Instant water heaters. They are a newer technology that has become increasingly popular in recent years. Rather than storing hot water in a tank, tankless models heat water on demand as it flows through the unit. Tankless models are available in gas and electric options and are typically more expensive upfront than tank models.

Advantages of instant water heater:

1. Energy efficiency

   Since these water heating appliances only heat water as and when needed, this leads to lower energy costs over time. Due to the lower energy consumption of the appliance, it can help homeowners save money on their energy bills.

2. Longer lifespan

   Tankless water heaters are equipped with durable and long lasting components to ensure that the appliance and provide hot showers for many years. Rheem’s Prestige Range of Instant Water Heaters in particular have a stainless-steel heating chamber and a replaceable Incology heating element. This means that if there are any issues with the heating chamber or the heating element, only these specific parts need to be changed out instead of changing the whole unit. 

3. Space-saving Design

   Because they do not require a large tank to store hot water, tankless water heaters are typically much smaller in size and can be installed in more compact spaces.

Disadvantages of instant water heater:

1. Higher Upfront Cost

   The installation of a tankless water heater can be more complex and time-consuming than that of a traditional storage-tank water heater. Additional electrical work or modifications may be needed.

2. Lower Water Pressure

   Instant water heaters are designed to provide hot water to a limited number of fixtures simultaneously. This means that the water flow rate may be limited, resulting in lower water pressure.

Conclusion

The choice between a conventional tank and a tankless water heater ultimately depends on a homeowner’s specific needs, preferences, and budget.

Tankless water heaters are becoming increasingly popular due to their energy efficiency and space-saving design. However, these days, storage water heaters have been redesigned to be sleek and minimalist and have become space-saving, such as Rheem’s Xwell Classic Plus Range of Electric Storage Water Heaters. 

Find out more about Rheem’s extensive range of water heating solutions and find the best shower water heater for your home today!