How does each one work?
A tank heater keeps 40 or 50 gallons hot all day and refills as you use it. When the tank is used up, you wait. A tankless heater has no stored water. A powerful burner heats the water as it flows through, for as long as a tap is open.
How do they compare?
- Hot water. A tank can run out. A tankless does not, within the flow it is sized for.
- Install cost. A tank is lower. A first tankless install often needs a bigger gas line, a new vent and an outlet.
- Running cost. A tankless heats only when water is used, so it wastes less.
- Space. A tankless hangs on the wall and frees the floor.
- Life. A tankless generally lasts longer, and its parts can be replaced.
- Upkeep. A tankless needs descaling from time to time. A tank benefits from flushing.
- Wait at the tap. Neither is instant. The wait depends on pipe length. A recirculation pump fixes that with either type.
- Power cuts. A tankless needs electricity to run. Most standard gas tanks do not.
When is a tank the better choice?
When you want the lowest install cost, when the gas line or vent route makes a conversion expensive, when the heater has just failed and you need hot water today, or when the household's hot water use is modest.
When is tankless the better choice?
When the household runs out of hot water, when you want the space, when you plan to stay in the home long enough to benefit, or when the old heater is already tankless.
What has to change in my house for tankless?
Often the gas line, the vent, and a nearby outlet. We measure and check before quoting. The full picture is on our tankless installation page.
How do I choose?
Ask us for both prices. We look at your home, tell you what each would involve, and say which we would pick. Installed prices for common setups are on the tank and tankless shop pages.
Who is Friendly Services?
A family-owned plumbing company with over 20 years in Hayward. License CSLB #1156315 (C-36 plumbing), $1M general liability cover and workers' comp. Our own work has a five-year workmanship warranty, and we have 100+ five-star reviews online.