Tank or tankless?

What each costs to fit and to run, how long they last, and which we'd pick for a family of four.

When a water heater gives up, the first question is whether to replace it like for like. Here’s how the two compare in a typical Alder Falls house.

A tank

Fitted: about $1,450 for a 50-gallon gas or electric tank.
Lasts: 10 to 15 years.
Good for: a household that showers at different times, and a tight budget.

Tankless

Fitted: from about $3,200, more if the gas line or venting needs work.
Lasts: 20 years or more.
Good for: long showers, a small closet, and lower bills over time.

For a family of four

If two showers often run at once, a tankless heater sized for it never runs out, and pays back the difference in eight to ten years. If not, a good tank is hard to beat. Send us a photo of the old one’s label and we’ll price both.