Tankless water heaters are a common request, usually right after someone runs out of hot water mid-shower or sees a neighbour’s install. They are a good product. They are also oversold. Here is how we decide with a homeowner whether one is worth it.
What You Actually Get
- Endless hot water, as long as you do not ask for more than the unit can heat at once.
- Lower gas use, because nothing is kept hot all day in a tank.
- Wall space, since the unit is the size of a carry-on suitcase.
- Long life, often twenty years with annual service.
What It Costs You
- Installation. Most tanks were fed by a half-inch gas line. A tankless unit usually needs three-quarter-inch, plus new sealed venting to the outside and a condensate drain. That is where the price difference comes from, not the box.
- Flow limits. A unit rated for cold-climate incoming water can run one shower and a sink comfortably. Two showers plus a dishwasher at once needs a larger unit or two units.
- Annual descaling. Lower Mainland water is soft in most areas, which helps, but the heat exchanger still needs flushing yearly. Skip it and the unit fails early.
- A short delay before hot water arrives, unless a recirculation option is added.
When It Makes Sense
A busy household that regularly runs out of hot water. A home with a long-term owner who will see the energy savings pay back. A renovation where the tank’s floor space is worth reclaiming. A gas line and vent route that are simple to run.
When A Tank Is Smarter
A suite or a smaller home with modest demand. An electric-only home, because electric tankless units need very large electrical service. A house being sold in a few years. Anywhere the gas and vent work would double the price.
The Honest Answer
Sized and installed properly, tankless is excellent. Undersized, or bolted onto an old gas line to save money, it disappoints. We will tell you which one you are looking at before you spend anything.
Related: water heater replacement cost · a Langley water heater installation
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