Tank Versus Tankless Propane Water Heaters

It used to be you had very limited choices when it came to replacing your water heater, which was to buy another tank style heater. Now you have a choice, between a tank heater, or a tankless instant heater. Many people who have had a tank heater for years, may be scratching their heads, thinking how can an instant water heater be better? The truth is, it isn't a matter of tank, or tankless, it's a matter of what the heat recovery rating is. This means, how fast does the water heat up, and stay that way.

There are many advantages of having an instant hot water heater. One is it saves money not heating water you aren't using. With a tank heater, even if you aren't using it, it is still heating that big bulky tank, in order to maintain the temperature. With a tankless, or inline heater, you don't have that problem. It turns on when in use, heating the water as you use it, and when you're done, the heat exchanger shuts off, until the next application. As long as you aren't running too many things at once, like taking a shower while washing some clothes, you will have an endless supply of hot water, as opposed to having to wait until a tank heats back up.

Have you ever tried to take a tank water heater with you on a camping trip? Of course not. But did you know that some models of a propane water heater can actually be taken out doors, and used at your favorite camp site? There are many models that are fully portable, and can be used almost anywhere. The LPG I5 Portable Propane Gas Hot Water Heater is a small compact portable instant hot water heater that is small enough to go anywhere you need instant hot water, and even has a battery powered spark ignition. It features a ten year warranty on the heat exchanger, and five years on replacement parts. You can get all of this for just under $500.

When you are looking to buy a new water heater, then why not upgrade to a more efficient model, like an inline hot water heater. They are competitively priced, and save you much more money than those old water tank heaters. You can find many of these models online, or at many home improvement outlets. It will probably be a good idea that even if you are going to purchase from an internet company, to check with local retailers first. Then you can see a variety of models in one place, and can ask as many questions as you want.

For those of you who may want a fully portable model, something you can stick away with your camping gear, Coleman has some really good quality models to choose from which are relatively reasonably priced. One of their models has a 5 gallon container, but can also heat up to forty gallons of water at a hundred degrees in five seconds, on a standard 16.4 ounce propane cylinder, and the pump unit is powered by an included battery pack. These units are reasonable and a good idea for any family camping trips.