How each one works
A storage heater holds a reserve of 40 to 75 gallons at temperature and refills as you use it. An on-demand unit warms water as it passes the burner, with a burner that fires when a tap opens. One stores, the other produces on demand.
Side by side
| Question | Tank | Tankless |
|---|---|---|
| Long showers back to back | Can run out | Continuous within its flow rate |
| Several fixtures at once | Handles bursts from storage | Limited by flow rating |
| Space | Floor footprint | Wall-mounted |
| Gas piping | Current pipe normally fine | Frequently upsized |
| Maintenance | Drain sediment yearly | Descale per maker, often yearly |
Questions to ask about your house
- On a weekday morning, how many showers overlap?
- Is there a basement unit drawing from the same heater?
- Can the gas meter and piping supply a high-input burner?
- Where can the vent terminate on the outside wall, given windows and the property line?
- Is the water hard enough that a softener is worth adding?
Gas work. Gas piping and appliance connections must be done by a TSSA-registered gas contractor in Ontario. Confirm that with whoever you hire.
Our honest view
Neither is automatically cheaper over its life; it depends on gas rates, how much hot water you draw and how well each is maintained.
For a big household or one with a basement suite, tankless often removes the cold-shower problem. For a smaller household with a tank in good shape, replacing like for like is simpler. See tankless installation for what the swap involves.
Tools worth keeping in the basement
- Two plungers: a flanged one for bowls, a flat cup for basins
- A hand snake around twenty-five feet long
- Adjustable and basin wrenches
- A bucket, rags and a flashlight
- A tag on the main shut-off valve
Ready when you are. One call, a real plumber, an arrival window.
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