The biggest problems that people have with their hot water is not having enough. You may find that hot water doesn’t last long enough for everyone in your family to get a shower, or that it runs out partway through. These are problems that only exist with a tank water heater. A tankless heater can solve them. That’s because of how the two kinds of heaters work:

-Tank heaters pre-heat a limited amount of water in their tank. You can get bigger tanks, but they’re expensive and there’s still a limit. If you use up all the hot water in the tank, you run out until it refills and reheats. This is what makes taking a long shower no fun.

-Tankless heaters heat up water as it’s needed—whenever you turn the faucet. They can bring water up to steaming, soothing temperatures in a matter of seconds. They can provide hot water indefinitely.

One of the biggest things homeowners want out of a new water heater is energy efficiency. This is where there’s the most dramatic difference between the two heaters:

-A tank heater operates continuously. That means it’s running even when you’re asleep, and much of that hot water will never even be used. That’s a lot of wasted energy—that you pay for.

-A tankless heater only heats water on demand. It’s a smaller, compact system that flash-heats water when you need it, and turns off as soon as you turn off the faucet. Tankless heaters are designed to save energy.

The cost advantages depend on whether you want a quick fix or a long-term investment:

-Tank heaters cost less up front but are expensive to run and wear out sooner.

-Tankless heaters cost slightly more up front, but can save you substantially on your monthly bills. Comparing a standard tank heater (50-gallon, electric) with an equivalent tankless (condensed gas-fired unit), the tankless unit can reduce energy costs by 60% or more.

Installation costs on tankless heaters have come down recently, and Noritz offers models that are compatible with the same gas line and ventilation stacks as traditional heaters. Plus, Noritz can help you find a licensed installer wherever you live. That means the two heaters are now much more evenly matched. But after installation, the difference is clear:

-Tank Heaters are old technology, and they have flaws. Minerals build up inside the tank as it’s cooked over and over. Most tanks last only 10-12 years before they have to be replaced, and typically come with just a 6-year warranty.

-Tankless Heaters are modern and more effective. They last up to 20 years with very little maintenance. And Noritz backs most water heaters with a 10-year warranty or longer.