Tankless and Traditional Water Heaters are the two typical options when choosing the proper water heater for your home. The best option for you depends on various factors including the number of people living, water usage patterns, and price.
In this blog, we break down the differences between tankless and conventional water heaters so you can determine which is right for your Suffolk County home.
What Is a Conventional Water Heater?
Conventional water heaters are storage tanks that heat a tank of water (typically 30 to 80 gallons). They hold heat inside the tank until the water is drawn upon.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Lower initial cost than tankless units. | Standby heat loss (they retain hot water even when not in use). |
| Fewer complicated installation process. | Hot water availability is limited—once the tank is gone, there is a delay for a refill. |
| Function most common plumbing installations of historic homes in Suffolk County. | More space |
What Is a Tankless Water Heater?
Tankless water heaters heat water only when you use it. Rather than pre-warm the hot water and store it, it quickly heats the cold water. When the cold-water travel through the unit with high-wattage electric heating elements, it is heated instantly.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Energy efficient: No standby heat loss, and longer lifespan | Higher initial cost of installation. |
| Hot endless water: Great for large families or multi-bathroom homes. | May necessitate upgrading the gas line or electrical panel, particularly in older Suffolk County properties. |
| Wall-mount design: Thin units installed on the wall. | Reduced capacity, if more than a single outlet is used simultaneously, efficiency can be lost. |
When choosing between tankless and conventional systems, one must consider some circumstances like weather with seasons, energy costs, and house infrastructure.
Energy Efficiency
Suffolk County winters are sometimes cold and long, so they do contribute to hot water demand. Tankless heaters distinguish themselves in this regard since they heat water only as needed, which conserves energy.
Tankless water heaters, the U.S. Department of Energy states, may be 24–34% more efficient than the standard tanks found in homes that use 41 gallons or less of hot water daily.
Paradise Plumbing Tip: If reducing your utility bills in the long run is a priority, a tankless system could prove to be more economical in the long run even though it requires an initial investment.
Size of Household & Water Consumption
A standard water heater will work for a small household in Quogue or a solo occupant in Shirley, but larger households or homes with multiple bathrooms, especially in Southampton or Easthampton, will be better with a tankless system.
Tankless models will provide limitless hot water, and hence they are best for households with multiple showers, washing machines and dishwashers running at the same time.
Installation Costs
A tankless system will be more expensive to install, particularly if your house requires electric or gas line upgrades. Nonetheless, Paradise Plumbing provides customized installation packages to be as minimally invasive as possible yet offer maximum performance.
Conventional water heaters are less expensive to install and could be better suited to conventional Suffolk County home floor plans.
Space Constraints
Tankless water heaters are mounted on the wall and small. Therefore, they are a perfect fit for small houses with little space.
Long-Term Benefits & Costs
Tank-style heaters are less expensive to buy, but their lifespan is shorter. On the other hand, Tankless units last longer than 20 years with maintenance.
Environmental Impact
For green homeowners, tankless water heaters represent the future. They consume less energy, emit less greenhouse gases, and can be combined with solar water heaters.
Going tankless can give your home a lower carbon footprint savvy action for environmentally aware homeowners in Montauk, Westhampton, and other areas.
What is Better?
Here is a quick summary to help you take a quick decision.
| Feature | Traditional Water Heater | Tankless Water Heater |
| Upfront Cost | Lower | Higher |
| Energy Efficiency | Moderate | High |
| Hot Water Supply | Limited | Unlimited |
| Lifespan | 8-12 years | 20+ Years |
| Ideal for | Small Households | Large Families |
Call Paradise Plumbing at or schedule a free consultation online if you’re ready to upgrade your water heater or just want expert advice,