Tankless Water Heater vs. Tank Water Heater in Rochester, NY

A debate that has been going around the Rochester area for the last couple of years has been tankless vs tank water heaters. Several years ago tankless water heaters were very popular here in Rochester and the buzz has faded recently. Here are the pros and cons to both types of water heaters. Tankless Water Heater Pros and Cons for  Pros: The best thing about a tankless water heater is that you will never run out of hot water, assuming you don’t have a mechanical failure. Another pro is that you do not have to wait to take a shower after someone else takes a shower like you do with a tank water heater. If you have a big family you know what I am talking about. Cons: If you are trying to convert from a tank water heater to a tankless it can be challenging. Most of the time the gas that is supplied for a tank water heater is not enough to support a tankless. Rochester’s water is very hard on the heat exchanger of a tankless water heater and accessories have to be added in order to meet manufactures warranty, which means more money. Another con that can come with a tankless water heater is having to rework venting if the conversion is made to tankless. Most of the cons that come from a tankless water heater happen when trying to convert from a tank to a tankless. Usually it is better to install a tankless when building a new home or doing a remodel. Tank Water Heater Pros: One thing about tank water heaters that compares to a tankless water heater is that they use very little gas and electricity. Even though tankless water heater manufacturers boast about the low gas usage, remember that most gas companies still charge you a minimum amount every month just to have gas service. In my opinion the two even out because a tank only uses about the minimum amount of gas usage every month and the gas that it takes to run a tankless, after it has not been used, cost about the same in the end. Another pro is replacing and installing a tank water heater can be very cost effective versus a new tankless water heater. The average amount it takes to install a new tankless water heater is about $2000 to $5000 depending on the application. A tank water heater will average out at about $800 depending on the size. Cons: Hot water will run out and like I said earlier in this article you will have to wait for the tank to fill and heat back up. This can take up to 45 minutes to get the temperature back to set point. Like a tankless water heater, Rochester’s hard water is hard on a tank. I highly recommend buying extended warranties, this can come in handy if your water heater fails. I hope that these pros and cons have shed some light on tankless and tank water heaters. Either way I would only recommend installing a tankless water heater into a new home or bathroom remodel condition. What are your pros and cons of a tankless or tank water heater?