In this era, warm water systems are a crucial component of our day-to-day lives, enabling us to enjoy and experience the comfort of hot water for diverse domestic uses. In Australia, people who own homes have two main options for electric hot water: instantaneous (or tankless) and electric storage tank systems.
These two systems have pros and cons, making it a personal choice between the two depending on an individual’s preferences and the needs of a particular household, among other environmental concerns.
This article aims to provide an all-around assessment of instantaneous versus electric storage tank hot water systems in terms of their energy efficiency, costs, space requirements, and general performance.
Overview of Instantaneous vs Electric Storage Tank
| Feature | Instantaneous (Tankless) Water Heater | Electric Storage Tank Water Heater |
| Initial Cost | Higher initial cost | Lower initial cost |
| Installation Cost | Higher requires professional installation | Lower, simpler installation |
| Energy Efficiency | More energy-efficient, up to 34% savings for homes using less than 155 litres/day | Less energy-efficient, continuous heating leads to higher energy consumption |
| Lifespan | Longer lifespan can last 20+ years | Shorter lifespan compared to tankless |
| Space Requirements | Compact design takes up less space | Requires more space due to tank size |
| Hot Water Supply | Heats water on demand, continuous supply but may struggle with simultaneous demands | Continuous supply, based on tank capacity, can run out if demand exceeds capacity |
| Environmental Impact | Lower greenhouse gas emissions, reduced standby heat loss | Higher greenhouse gas emissions, more standby heat loss |
| Maintenance | Requires less frequent maintenance but more complex repairs | Simple, inexpensive repairs require regular maintenance |
| Upfront Cost | Higher | Lower |
| Operating Cost | Lower due to energy efficiency | Higher due to continuous heating |
Electric Storage Tank Hot Water Systems
The electric storage tank hot water systems are the oldest kind of hot water system. They are made in such a way that they heat up and store water in an insulated tank until it is needed using an electric heating element or gas burner. There can be different sizes for the storage tank; thus, homeowners may choose one that caters to their household’s hot water needs.
One major benefit of electric storage tanks is their affordability. The cost-effectiveness of these systems cannot be overlooked because they are cheaper to buy and install compared to instant systems. They also come in different sizes, making them suitable for any family size. Moreover, storage tank systems have been known for safety and dependability since they have been used in Australian homes for many years.
Additional benefits include extended warranties, which are often included with storage tank systems, enabling owners to feel safe about future problems. Besides, these systems do not require much maintenance; hence, the rod of sacrificial anode prevents corrosion in the container.
Instantaneous Hot Water Systems
Instantaneous hot water systems, also called tankless or continuous flow systems, heat water as it passes through the system. They do not store hot water in a tank, so they only warm up the moment one needs some heat in his/her shower.
Energy efficiency is arguably the most important advantage of instantaneous hot water systems. They consume less energy than storage tanks since they only produce heat when necessary. This results in lower energy bills and reduced environmental impact compared to storage tank heaters. Instantaneous systems also have unlimited hot water, guaranteeing that a household never runs out of it.
Another advantage is their small size, which can easily be installed in homes with limited space. Under the sink, on the wall- these are possible locations where they can be put without taking much space away from you as a homeowner. Unlike conventional storage tank providers, instant systems often last several years longer due to their stability.
Cost Comparison
When comparing the costs of instant water heaters and electric storage tank hot water systems, several factors need to be considered, including initial purchase and installation costs, ongoing operating costs, and energy efficiency savings.
Initial Costs
Electric storage tank systems are usually cheaper to purchase and install than instantaneous ones. Since the latter are cheaper at the beginning, they are preferred by people with a low starting amount of money. However, the high upfront cost of instantaneous systems can be justified by their extended service life and lower running expenses.
Operating Costs
Continuous hot water systems consume less energy than preset temperature models, leading to reduced operating expenses. Because they only heat water when it is needed, they use less energy, thereby saving significant sums on utility bills. Conversely, constant heating and storing water by storage tank heaters result in greater power consumption levels, translating to more expensive operation in general.
Long-Term Savings
Instantaneous units have higher first costs due to their energy efficiency and longer lifespan, which has the potential for considerable long-term savings. Over the life cycle system, homeowners may experience some reduced billing due to energy consumptions or any other replacement needs that may arise in the future. Furthermore, this enables them to easily fit into renewable options, making them more cost-effective solutions available for households today.
Space Requirements
When choosing between electric storage tank hot water systems and instantaneous, space is one factor to consider. The sizes and installation requirements for each can affect the amount of room left in a house.
Storage Tank Systems
Because they possess big storage tanks, electric storage tank systems demand significant space. These systems are mostly fitted in garages or basements and utility rooms where valuable spaces can be occupied. Homeowners can choose the size of a storage tank, which may differ from one family to another depending on their hot water needs.
Instantaneous Systems
In contrast, instant hot water systems occupy little space and can even be located on the wall or under the sink without noticeable changes in the entire home area. They are good options for small spaces, houses, or individuals seeking to maximise their remaining living areas.
Performance and Reliability
Buying a hot water system relies heavily on performance and reliability. The two types of systems, instantaneous and electric storage tank, have their own performance indices and factors that determine their reliability.
Storage Tank Systems
Electric storage tank systems are known for their dependability and constant functioning. Australians have relied on these options in their homes for several years. These systems also feature pressure release valves, among other safety features, to prevent potential risks, such as excessive pressure.
However, it is common for hot water supply to cease within the storage tank systems, especially when there is a high demand for it in domestic environments. Besides, this can result in increased energy consumption and operation costs due to consecutive heating and storage of water.
Instantaneous Systems
Energy-efficient instantaneous hot water systems provide an unlimited supply of hot water whenever required. Similarly, they have longer lifespans than their storage tank counterparts and are resilient. Nevertheless, such holes get problematic regarding temperature stability if hard water is an issue locally.
In addition, some households may be disadvantaged by constraint conditions requiring a higher flow rate for adequate amounts of hot drinking water, thereby limiting its use in some areas. Nonetheless, despite these problems, general output performances, but not necessarily reliability, make them popular among many people who live in houses with running taps.
Conclusion
In Australia, deciding between an immediate electric storage tank hot water system and an instantaneous one depends on several factors, such as the number of people in a household, how much hot water is needed, whether there is enough space for it, whether money is available, and whether there are any worries about the environment. However, immediate systems require more power to work properly and take up a lot of space compared to instant systems.
Nevertheless, instantaneous hot water systems are cost-effective in terms of energy usage; they have no availability limits and do not consume much power. Even though these types of units might cost more at first, they will save you money over time and, furthermore, look nice because of their compactness.
If you have any questions relating to instantaneous and electric storage tanks, feel free to contact us!
