Determining whether you have a tank versus a tankless water heater in your basement is crucial in determining the potential cause of water heater leaks. It is also helpful when you are seeking out solutions so that you find the repair that works best for your water heater.
Tank Water Heaters
Tank water heaters are typically larger compared to tankless water heaters—containing a volume ranging between 30 to 50 gallons of water. They are the most common and have been around for a much longer time. When you think of water heaters, a large, cylindrical tank sitting in your basement or garage wall or closet may come to mind. If you have something like this in your household, you most likely have a tank water heater.
Tank water heaters are constantly running to heat your water supply. These water heaters typically run on gas or electricity. The longevity of tank water heaters is much shorter than tankless water heaters, and average a lifespan of 10 to 15 years.
Tankless Water Heaters
Tankless water heaters are significantly smaller in size than tank water heaters. As such, you may find that it is stored in various places, not limited to your basement. Due to its’ smaller size, you may find that it has been installed inside closets. Tankless water heaters tend to have a boxy, rectangular shape to them, rather than the cylindrical shape that tank water heaters do.
Tankless water heaters heat water on demand, which is why they do not take up as much space. They use energy only when necessary and can run on either natural gas, propane, or electricity. Tankless water heaters have a longer life span compared to tank water heaters by at least double, averaging at about 20 to 30 years. Tankless water heaters are also less likely to leak, however, leaks can still occur depending on the age and condition of the water heater.