Tank or Tankless Water Heater, Which Is Right for Your Home

Because a tankless unit doesn’t spend energy keeping water hot while you sleep or work, it uses less. The Department of Energy estimates tankless heaters can be 24 to 34 percent more energy efficient than tank heaters in homes that use 41 gallons of hot water a day or less, and 8 to 14 percent more efficient in homes that use a lot of hot water, around 86 gallons a day. Smaller households see the biggest savings.

Lifespan

The same Department of Energy guide says most tank heaters last 10 to 15 years, while tankless units can last more than 20. Hard water shortens both, which matters here, since most of our service area has hard water.

Upfront Cost

A tank heater costs less to buy and install, especially when it’s replacing another tank in the same spot. A tankless conversion costs more because it often needs a larger gas line, new venting, a condensate drain and sometimes an electrical outlet. That installation work is the biggest reason people stay with a tank. When we quote a conversion, we’ll check your gas line and venting first so the price covers everything.

Hot Water Supply

A tank can run out when several people shower back to back. A tankless unit doesn’t run out, but it can only heat so much water at a time. If you regularly run two showers and the dishwasher together, the unit has to be sized for that. We size every tankless unit to your household rather than picking a model off the shelf.

Space

Tankless units mount on a wall, often outside, and free up the closet or garage corner where the tank sat. In condos, townhomes and smaller homes, that space is a real bonus.

Maintenance

Tank heaters collect sediment at the bottom and should be flushed periodically. Tankless units need a descaling flush about once a year in hard water areas to keep scale off the heat exchanger. A water softener helps either type last longer.