As a homeowner, planning how to keep the water in your home heated is one of the most important choices you can make. This decision will likely take many factors into consideration, such as cost, energy efficiency, and how it affects your home’s overall sustainability. The expert technicians at Pipeline Plumbing & Drain Specialists located in Murrieta, CA can help to determine the best water heater solution for you. The information below will guide you through the difference between a tank versus a tankless water heater.
Traditional Storage Tank vs. Tankless Water Heaters
A traditional water heater has been a staple of homes for the last 75 years, and many homes still use them today. You’ll often find them installed in the garage or basement, and they take up a pretty large amount of space:
Traditional storage tank water heater:

At Pipeline Plumbing, we offer 40, 50, and 75 gallon Bradford White storage tank water heaters.
Tankless water heater:

We also offer the Navien tankless water heater:
As you can see, there is a big size difference between a traditional storage tank heater vs. a tankless water heater!
In addition to the difference in size, the time it takes for your water to heat will vary between a traditional and tankless water heater as well. If you’ve ever had to turn on the water in your shower and wait a couple of minutes for it to heat up, then you’ve experienced “standby energy†from a traditional water heater, which is the loss of energy expended to heat up the water from a cold temperature. While traditional water heaters typically hold enough hot water to meet the needs of a household, they can be exhausted and take a long time to refill and reheat.
In comparison, a tankless water heater (also known as an on-demand water heater) uses high-powered burners to quickly heat water to your faucets or shower. It uses the right amount of hot water, providing no waste. It also provides a nearly unlimited supply of hot water. When you consider the energy efficiency of tank vs. tankless water heaters, it’s clear the tankless water heater comes out on top.
More energy efficiency means more cost savings — and when you consider the rising cost of natural gas prices in recent years — having a tool to minimize those costs can make a big difference in your monthly household bills! In fact, customers can spend up to 34% less energy than traditional water heaters which amounts to saving hundreds of dollars per year!
In summary, tankless water heaters have many advantages and are a great way to save energy, reduce your monthly utility bills, and enjoy an endless supply of hot water.
- They are compact: Their small size allows more flexibility on where to install them.
- They provide instant access to hot water: Minimize loss and never run out of hot water again.
- They are energy efficient: Save up to 34% on your energy cost.
- They have a longer lifespan, compared to traditional storage tank water heaters: With proper maintenance, a tankless water heater can last 20 years or more (which is double that of traditional water heaters)!
- There is no risk of flooding: Without a storage tank, there’s no risk of flooding or leaks.
Tankless Water Heater Installation
While installing a new tankless water heater may have a higher upfront cost compared to a traditional storage tank water heater, it will also provide continuous cost savings for years to come.
If you’re looking for help with a water heater installation, look no further than Pipeline Plumbing.
Pipeline Plumbing is Here to Help
Our 5-star rated service team is happy to help you through the entire water heater purchase process. From selecting the right water heater for your home or business to providing the installation, Pipeline Plumbing is here to help! We offer reliable and cost-effective services and provide guaranteed labor warranties.
To help customers save even more money, Pipeline Plumbing & Drain Specialists is offering an additional incentive for choosing a tankless water heater:
- From now until Dec 31st, 2023, Pipeline Plumbing is offering customers $50 off a Storage Tank, or $100 off a Tankless water heater!
- In addition, you may qualify for a $1,000 rebate when you switch to a tankless water heater! Give us a call today at (951) 289-5514 to see if you qualify.
Get a free quote or call us today to learn more. We look forward to hearing from you!