Tank vs tankless water heater

Which one keeps up in your house, and what each needs.

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On this page
  1. The difference
  2. Will tankless keep up?
  3. Hot water per minute
  4. Cold water in winter
  5. Energy use
  6. Life and upkeep
  7. Hard water
  8. What the install needs
  9. Living with tankless
  10. Space and warranty
  11. Cost to own
  12. Recalls
  13. Parts
  14. Which to choose
  15. Mistakes
  16. FAQ
  17. How I wrote it

Quick answer

Pick a tank for the lowest install cost, an easy swap and hot water in an outage. Pick gas tankless for endless showers and lower bills, if you have the gas line and will descale it yearly. Electric tankless needs 150 to 300 amp service.

Webstone E-X-P E2 tankless water heater service valve kit, a red and a blue full-port valve with hose drains
If you go tankless: Webstone service valves$119.27 at AmazonPrice as of Oct 24, 2026, 5:30 AM EDT · low stock then
Check it on Amazon

Tank vs tankless at a glance

A tank keeps 40 or 50 gallons hot all day. A tankless heats water only while a tap is open.

Tank water heaterTankless water heater
How it makes hot waterHeats and stores 20 to 80 gallons (DOE)Heats water as it flows through a heat exchanger
What limits youRuns out after its first-hour ratingFlow: about 2 to 5 GPM at once (DOE)
Efficiency (UEF)Gas 0.64 to 0.65; electric 0.93Gas 0.98 (Rinnai RX199iN); electric 0.92 to 0.97
Life (DOE)10 to 15 yearsMore than 20 years
Yearly careFlush sediment, check the anode (Rheem)Flush or descale (Rheem, Rinnai)
Power outageA full tank stays hot; some gas tanks need no powerNeeds electric power to fire
Wall or floor spaceAbout 19 to 24 in. wide, 49 to 64 in. tallWall-hung box, as small as 16-5/8 × 14-1/2 in.
Swap from what you haveSame pipes, vent and circuit in most casesOften new gas line, vent, condensate drain or electric service

Both kinds come in gas and electric, so there are really four choices. The big split is the way each delivers water. A tank gives you a lot at once and then slows down while it reheats. A tankless never runs out, but it can only heat so many gallons a minute.

That one difference drives most of the trade-offs below: how many showers can run at once, what the install needs, and why the energy savings depend on how much hot water your home uses.

Will a tankless keep up in your house?

Set your busiest moment and your incoming water. The checker compares a large tankless with a 50-gallon tank.

You need about 4.0 gallons a minute at a 70°F rise (50°F water in, 120°F out).

Gas tankless: a 199,000 BTU unit (Rinnai RX199iN) makes 5.5 GPM at that rise, so it keeps up with 1.5 GPM to spare.

Tank: a 50-gallon gas tank like the Rheem PROG50 delivers 76 gallons in the first hour, about 19 minutes of everything running at once.

Your service size is printed on the main breaker in your panel. The shower head flow is stamped on the head or listed in its box. A faucet counts as 0.75 GPM, the figure DOE uses in its sizing example.

The checker follows DOE’s sizing method: add up the flow of everything running at once, then subtract your incoming water temperature from 120°F to get the temperature rise. The colder your water, the bigger the rise, and the fewer gallons a tankless can heat each minute.

For gas it reads Rinnai’s published flow table for the RX199iN, a 199,000 BTU unit, which is the top of the residential range. For electric it uses the makers’ own power rule, about 6.8 gallons a minute per kilowatt for each degree, divided by the rise, which matches Stiebel Eltron’s and EcoSmart’s tables. For tank size questions, the water heater size calculator goes deeper.

How much hot water each one delivers

Tanks are rated by the first hour. Tankless units are rated by gallons a minute at a given rise.

Rinnai RX199iN (gas, 199,000 BTU)5.5 GPMEcoSmart ECO 36 (electric, 36 kW)3.5 GPMDOE example: shower + faucet3.25 GPMStiebel Eltron Tempra 24 (24 kW)2.3 GPMEcoSmart ECO 11 (electric, 13 kW)1.3 GPMRinnai RX199iN (gas, 199,000 BTU)5.5 GPMEcoSmart ECO 36 (electric, 36 kW)3.5 GPMDOE example: shower + faucet3.25 GPMStiebel Eltron Tempra 24 (24 kW)2.3 GPMEcoSmart ECO 11 (electric, 13 kW)1.3 GPM
Gallons a minute at a 70°F rise (50°F in, 120°F out). Rinnai’s SENSEI RX flow table; electric units from kW × 6.824 ÷ 70, which matches Stiebel Eltron’s and EcoSmart’s tables. The gray bar is DOE’s sizing example: a 2.5 GPM shower plus a 0.75 GPM faucet.

DOE puts typical tankless output at 2 to 5 gallons a minute, with gas units on the high end. Its rule of thumb at a 70°F rise is about 5 GPM for gas and 2 GPM for electric. The maker numbers above land right on that.

A tank works the other way. Its first-hour rating is how many gallons it can deliver in one busy hour starting full. Rheem’s PROG50-40N gas tank is rated at 76 gallons, GE’s GG40 gas tank at 83, and Bradford White’s RE350S6 electric tank at 60. Electric tanks rate lower because a 4,500-watt element reheats more slowly than a 40,000 BTU burner.

HeaterKindRatingWhat it means for showers
Rinnai RX199iNGas tankless5.5 GPM at 70°F riseTwo 2.0 GPM showers and a faucet at once, with no time limit
EcoSmart ECO 36Electric tankless3.5 GPM at 70°F riseOne 2.5 GPM shower and a faucet, or two low-flow showers
Stiebel Eltron Tempra 24Electric tankless2.3 GPM at 70°F riseOne shower at a time in a northern winter
GE GG4040-gallon gas tank83 gal first hourAbout 21 minutes with two 2.0 GPM showers running
Rheem PROG50-40N50-gallon gas tank76 gal first hourAbout 19 minutes with two showers, then a slow refill
Bradford White RE350S650-gallon electric tank60 gal first hourAbout 15 minutes with two showers

The minutes in the last column assume every gallon of the first-hour rating goes to two 2.0 GPM showers. Real showers mix in cold water, so they last longer than that, but the order holds: tanks win on a short burst, tankless wins on anything long.

This is the heart of the choice. A family that showers back to back for an hour is better served by a tankless. A home that needs three showers and a washer all at 7 a.m. may need a big tank or two tankless units, which DOE mentions as an option.

Why winter water temperature matters more for tankless

A tankless has to heat the whole rise while the water flows. Colder water means fewer gallons a minute.

Incoming waterRinnai RX199iN (gas)EcoSmart ECO 36Stiebel Tempra 24EcoSmart ECO 11
70°F in (50°F rise)7.8 GPM4.9 GPM3.3 GPM1.8 GPM
60°F in (60°F rise)6.5 GPM4.1 GPM2.7 GPM1.5 GPM
50°F in (70°F rise)5.5 GPM3.5 GPM2.3 GPM1.3 GPM
40°F in (80°F rise)4.8 GPM3.1 GPM2.0 GPM1.1 GPM

A gas unit loses about a third of its flow between southern summer water and northern winter water. An electric unit loses even more in proportion, because it starts lower. The ECO 36 goes from about 4.9 GPM with 70°F water to 3.1 GPM with 40°F water.

DOE tells you to assume 50°F unless you know better. Well water and northern city water in January can run colder, so size a tankless for your coldest month, not the average. A tank has the same problem in a gentler way: its first hour drops a little in winter, but the stored 40 or 50 gallons are already hot.

If you want water hotter than 120°F, for a dishwasher without its own heater for example, DOE uses a 90°F rise. At that rise the Rinnai drops to 4.3 GPM.

How much energy a tankless saves

A tank loses heat all day while it waits. A tankless doesn’t, but the savings shrink as your hot water use grows.

Efficiency gain over a storage tank (DOE)41 gal/day or lessLight useAbout 86 gal/dayHeavy use0%10%20%30%40%Efficiency gain over a storage tank (DOE)41 gal/day or lessLight useAbout 86 gal/dayHeavy use0%10%20%30%40%
DOE Energy Saver, “Tankless or demand-type water heaters”: the range of efficiency gain a tankless has over a conventional storage tank, by daily hot water use.

The reason is standby loss. DOE explains that a tank keeps reheating to its setpoint even when no tap is running, because heat leaks out to the room. Only tankless heaters avoid that loss. The less hot water you use, the bigger share of a tank’s energy goes to standby, which is why the savings are biggest in light-use homes.

The efficiency rating on the label, UEF (uniform energy factor), shows the same gap. Higher is better.

HeaterKindUEFSource
Rinnai RX199iNGas tankless, condensing0.98Rinnai spec sheet
Stiebel Eltron Tempra 24Electric tankless0.97Stiebel Eltron specs
EcoSmart ECO 36Electric tankless0.94EcoSmart spec sheet
Rheem PROE40 T2Electric tank0.93Rheem spec sheet
Rheem PROG50-40NGas tank, atmospheric vent0.65Rheem spec sheet
GE GG40Gas tank, atmospheric vent0.64GE spec sheet

The big jump is on gas: 0.65 for a standard gas tank against 0.98 for a condensing gas tankless. On electric, the gap is small. A standard electric tank already turns nearly all its power into heat, so an electric tankless saves mostly the standby loss.

DOE adds one warning for gas tankless units: a standing pilot light can eat into the savings. Look for an intermittent ignition device instead. The Rinnai’s 1.3-watt standby draw shows how little a modern spark-ignition unit uses while it waits.

A heat pump water heater is a third route with a far higher electric UEF. Rinnai’s REHP50 listing gives 3.75 UEF for a 50-gallon tank. That trade-off has its own page: heat pump vs tankless.

Which lasts longer, and what upkeep each needs

Tankless units last longer on paper. Both need yearly care to get there.

Expected life in yearsTank (DOE)10–15 yearsTank (Rheem)8–12 yearsTankless (DOE)More than 20Tankless (Rheem)15–20+ years051015202530Expected life in yearsTank (DOE)10–15 yearsTank (Rheem)8–12 yearsTankless (DOE)More than 20Tankless (Rheem)15–20+ years051015202530
DOE Energy Saver and Rheem’s “Tank vs Tankless Water Heater Lifespan Comparison”. Rheem adds that well-kept tankless units can reach 25 to 30 years.

DOE says tankless units have easily replaced parts that can stretch their life further. A tank’s life usually ends when the tank itself leaks, and that part can’t be swapped. That’s the main reason the tankless number is higher.

Upkeep is different for each. Rheem says sediment settles at the bottom of a tank, so it needs periodic flushing, and the anode rod that protects the lining needs checking or replacing. For tankless, Rheem says annual flushing or descaling keeps it efficient.

JobTankTanklessWhere it comes from
FlushDrain sediment from the bottomCirculate a descaler through the heat exchangerRheem
How oftenPeriodic, more with hard waterOnce a year at 4 to 12 grains per gallonRheem; Rinnai manual
Extra partsAnode rod check or swapInlet filter screen cleanRheem; Rinnai manual
ToolsGarden hose on the drain valveService valves, a small pump, two hoses and 4 gallons of vinegarRinnai manual
TimeUnder an hourAt least 1 hour of circulatingRinnai manual

Rinnai’s manual spells out the tankless flush: close the service valves, hook a pump and hoses to them, and circulate 4 gallons of undiluted white vinegar through the heater for at least an hour. That’s why the service valve kit and pump kit below matter. Without the valves, you can’t flush it at all. Our tankless descaling guide has every step.

Hard water changes the math for tankless

Scale builds fast in a tankless heat exchanger. The makers put the limits in their manuals and warranties.

Rinnai’s manual for the RX199iN sets the line at 12 grains per gallon (200 mg/L). From 4 to 12 grains it recommends a softener or scale cutter and a yearly flush. Above 12 grains, treatment is required.

Stiebel Eltron’s warranty also excludes damage from hard or corrosive water, and EcoSmart tells owners with hard water to flush more often. So in a hard-water area, a tankless comes with a softener or a scale filter and a yearly descale, or it risks a warranty claim being turned down.

Hard waterTankTankless
Where the minerals goSettle as sediment on the tank bottomCoat the inside of the heat exchanger
What the maker asksPeriodic flushing (Rheem)Yearly flush at 4 to 12 grains; treatment above 12 (Rinnai)
WarrantyTank and parts for the stated yearsWater-quality damage excluded (Rinnai, Stiebel Eltron)

Tanks collect minerals too, as sediment on the bottom, which is why Rheem calls periodic flushing important for a tank’s life. Your water utility’s yearly quality report lists hardness, or a test strip from a hardware store gives a quick read. If you’re on a well, test before you choose.

What each one needs in your house

Swapping a tank for a tank uses the pipes you have. Going tankless often means new gas, vent or electric work.

NeedGas tankGas tankless (Rinnai RX199iN)
Gas input40,000 BTU (Rheem PROG50, GE GG40)Up to 199,000 BTU; size the gas line for the whole house per NFPA 54
Gas connection1/2 in. (GE GG40)3/4 in. NPT; Rinnai lists 1/2 in. line compatible, but check the manual’s sizing
Vent3 or 4 in. atmospheric vent to a chimney or flue2 in. PVC up to 75 ft, or 3 in. up to 150 ft, through a wall or roof
CondensateNone1/2 in. NPT drain; local code may require a neutralizer
ElectricNone for a thermopile gas control (GE GG40)120 V outlet, about 98 W running
Service clearancePer the maker’s label24 in. in front

The gas line is the surprise for most people. A tank burns about 40,000 BTU. A big tankless burns up to 199,000 BTU while a shower runs, so the meter and pipe have to carry that on top of the furnace and range. Rinnai’s manual says to size it for the whole house load.

The vent can be easier. A condensing tankless vents through 2 or 3 in. PVC, so it can go through a side wall instead of the old chimney. The trade-off is the acidic condensate, which needs a drain and often a neutralizer.

Electric heaterPowerBreakersService the maker recommends
Electric tank (Rheem, Bradford White)4,500 WOne 30 A double-poleAlready in place if you have one now
EcoSmart ECO 11 (point of use)13 kWOne 60 A double-pole100 A
Stiebel Eltron Tempra 2424 kWTwo 50 A double-pole150 A
EcoSmart ECO 3636 kWFour 40 A double-pole300 A

This table is why plumbers warn people off whole-house electric tankless. An electric tank draws about 19 amps. An ECO 36 draws 150 amps and asks for 300 amp service, which many homes don’t have. A service upgrade adds a large cost before you’ve bought the heater. Our electric vs gas tankless guide has the rest of that comparison.

A small electric unit like the ECO 11 makes sense as a point-of-use heater under one sink, not as the main heater for a house.

Things tankless owners notice day to day

These are the complaints that show up in forums. Most have a clear cause.

A trickle of hot water won’t fire it

Each unit needs a minimum flow to switch on: 0.5 GPM for the Tempra 24, 0.3 GPM for the ECO 11. Rinnai’s manual says the water can alternate hot and cold near its minimum flow.

A wait for hot water

A tankless has to fire and heat before hot water leaves it, then that water still travels the pipe. A recirculation pump, or the RXP199iN’s built-in one, shortens the wait.

No hot water in a power outage

The Rinnai needs 120 V to run. In freezing weather with the power off, its manual says to drain the heater, so it doesn’t freeze.

Showers never run cold

As long as the flow stays inside the unit’s rating, the last shower of the morning is as hot as the first.

The wait for hot water is often blamed on the tankless, but most of it is the pipe run, which a tank has too. If your bathroom is far from the heater, a hot water recirculating pump fixes it either way.

A tank has fewer quirks. It holds hot water ready, and a gas tank with a thermopile control like the GE GG40 keeps heating with the power off. That’s a real reason people still choose tanks, especially where outages are common.

Size, weight and warranty side by side

A tankless frees up floor space. The warranties differ more than the ads suggest.

HeaterKindSizeHow it mounts
Stiebel Eltron Tempra 24Electric tankless16-5/8 × 14-1/2 × 4-5/8 in.On the wall
Rinnai RX199iNGas tankless18.5 × 25.8 × 11.4 in.On the wall, 24 in. clear in front
Bradford White RE350S650-gallon electric tank49-7/16 in. tall × 24 in. wideOn the floor, often in a pan
Rheem PROG50-40N50-gallon gas tank62-1/2 in. tall × 21-1/2 in. wideOn the floor, under a flue

Tankless warranties run longer but come with conditions. Rinnai covers the heat exchanger for 15 years and voids it for heaters bought from unauthorized dealers. EcoSmart’s lifetime warranty needs a licensed install with proof within 30 days. The best tankless guide lays out each one.

A tank warranty is simpler: the tank and parts for a set number of years. When the tank leaks after that, you replace the whole heater, which is part of why its life cost runs higher than its price.

What changes the cost of each

A tankless costs more to buy and put in. It costs less to run and may last longer.

Cost itemTankTankless
Heater priceLowerHigher (DOE)
Install, same fuel swapUsually the same pipes, vent and circuitOften a larger gas line, new PVC vent and condensate drain
Electric workExisting 30 A circuitElectric tankless: big breakers, maybe a service upgrade
Yearly upkeepFlush, anode checkDescale, filter clean; softener in hard water
EnergyStandby loss all day24–34% less in light-use homes, 8–14% in heavy use (DOE)
ReplacementEvery 10–15 years (DOE)More than 20 years (DOE), with parts replaceable

DOE’s own summary: tankless units cost more up front, but lower operating and energy costs and a longer life could offset the price. Whether they do depends on the install work your house needs and how much hot water you use.

For dollar figures on your own job, see the cost to install a tankless water heater and the cost to replace a water heater. Get written quotes for both kinds. DOE suggests asking whether the contractor will pull the local permit.

Tankless recalls to check before you buy used

Two tankless brands sold on Amazon have active CPSC recalls. Neither maker is part of this page’s kit.

VST gas tankless recall. CPSC recall 26026 (Oct 16, 2025): about 36,700 VST heaters, models VRS, VRP, VTS and VTP in 150 and 199 sizes, can crack an exhaust duct and leak carbon monoxide. Stop using it and contact VESTA.DS for a free repair.

Camplux portable recall. CPSC recall 24137 (Feb 29, 2024): about 42,000 Camplux portable tankless heaters, models AY132, BD158, BW211, BW264 and BW422 made in 2021, can leak gas at the regulator. Turn it off and get the free regulator kit.

Any gas heater, tank or tankless, needs a working carbon monoxide alarm nearby. CPSC told VST owners who must keep using the heater to have working smoke and CO alarms while they wait for the repair.

Parts each choice needs

The first three are for a tankless, the last two for a tank. Each was new and in stock when we checked. Prices come from Amazon with the time they were read.

Webstone E-X-P E2 tankless water heater service valve kit, a red and a blue full-port valve with hose drains
Best for flushing a tankless

Webstone E‑X‑P E2 service valves

$119.27 at Amazon
Check it on Amazon
Price as of Oct 24, 2026, 5:30 AM EDT · low stock then
Superior Pump 91660 descaler kit with a small pump, a 3.5-gallon pail and two stainless hoses
Best for the yearly descale

Superior Pump 91660 descaler kit

$129.99 at Amazon
Check it on Amazon
Price as of Oct 24, 2026, 5:30 AM EDT
American Valve CondensateRx white condensate neutralizer installed on a drain line
Best for a condensing tankless drain

American Valve CondensateRx

$55.00 at Amazon
Check it on Amazon
Price as of Oct 24, 2026, 5:30 AM EDT
Amtrol ST-5 white 2-gallon thermal expansion tank
Best for a closed water system

Amtrol ST-5 expansion tank

$67.00 at Amazon
Check it on Amazon
Price as of Oct 24, 2026, 5:30 AM EDT
Oatey 34083 round 24-inch aluminum water heater pan with a drain fitting
Best for a tank over a finished floor

Oatey 34083 heater pan

$45.19 at Amazon
Check it on Amazon
Price as of Oct 24, 2026, 5:30 AM EDT
PartKey specsPick it ifSkip it if
Webstone E‑X‑P E23/4 in., hot and cold full-port valves with hose drains, lead free, 500 WOG, includes a 150 psi / 200,000 BTU relief valveYou’re putting in a tankless. Rinnai calls isolation valves highly recommended, and you can’t descale without them.Your heater already has service valves, or it’s a tank.
Superior Pump 916601/6 HP pump, up to 1,920 gallons an hour, 3.5-gallon pail, two 3/4 in. GHT × 6 ft stainless hoses, 7 oz descaler powderYou’ll do the yearly descale yourself with vinegar, as Rinnai’s manual describes.A plumber services your heater every year with their own rig.
American Valve CondensateRx1/2 in. FNPT with 1/2 in. barb and 3/4 in. PVC adapters, up to 220,000 BTU an hour and 3.8 gallons an hour, made in USAYour condensing tankless drains to a line or a floor drain where code wants the acid neutralized.Your heater isn’t condensing, or you have Rinnai’s own neutralizer kit.
Amtrol ST-52 gallons, 8 in. wide × 12-5/6 in. tall, 5 lb, max acceptance 0.45Your water system is closed (a check valve or pressure reducer), for a tank or a tankless. Rinnai says a closed system needs expansion control.Your system is open with no check valve, and your inspector doesn’t require one.
Oatey 3408324 in. round, .032 in. aluminum, built-in 1 to 1.5 in. PVC drain adapterA tank sits over a finished floor or ceiling, where a leak would do damage.Your tank is as wide as the pan, like the 24 in. Bradford White RE350S6. Measure first.

I’ve used each of these parts. They’re listed as a kit with no score because each does a different job, so one formula wouldn’t be fair to all five.

For the heaters themselves, see the best tankless water heaters and the best tank water heaters. The size of the expansion tank and the drain pan each have their own guide.

Which one fits your situation

Find the line that sounds like your house. Then run the checker above with your own numbers.

Your situationBetter fitWhy
Gas line and side wall nearby, 1 to 3 people, long showersGas tanklessNever runs cold, biggest energy gain in light-use homes
Big family, three showers at 7 a.m. in a cold climateGas tank, or two tankless unitsOne 199,000 BTU unit makes about 4.8 GPM with 40°F water
Electric only, 100 or 150 A serviceElectric tank (or a heat pump tank)Whole-house electric tankless needs 150 to 300 A
Electric only, 400 A service, low-flow fixturesElectric tankless can workRun the checker; the ECO 36 makes about 3.5 GPM at a 70°F rise
Hard water over 12 grains, no softener plannedTankRinnai requires treatment above 12 grains per gallon
Frequent power outagesGas tank with a thermopile controlKeeps heating without power; a tankless needs 120 V
Small utility closet or tight basementTanklessWall-hung, as small as 16-5/8 × 14-1/2 in.
Old tank failed, need hot water tomorrowSame-kind tankSame pipes, vent and circuit; no new gas or electric work

Most homes that switch to tankless do it with gas. If you only have electric, a heat pump tank is usually the efficient upgrade, and a standard electric tank is the simple one.

If you’re replacing a failed tank in a hurry, a like-for-like tank is almost always the fastest fix. Plan a tankless switch when you have time to get the gas line, venting and permit sorted.

Mistakes people make when switching to tankless

MistakeWhat goes wrong
Sizing for summer waterWith 40°F water instead of 70°F, the Rinnai’s flow drops from 7.8 to 4.8 GPM
Keeping the old 1/2 in. gas line without checkingThe heater can’t get the gas it needs at full fire; Rinnai says size for the whole house
Leaving out the service valvesNo way to descale, and Rinnai calls them highly recommended
Skipping the softener in hard waterScale builds, the unit errors out, and water damage isn’t covered
Buying from an unauthorized sellerRinnai says the warranty is void
Electric tankless on a 200 A panelThe ECO 36 alone draws 150 A; the maker asks for 300 A service

Each of these comes from a maker’s manual or warranty, not opinion. The fix for most is planning: measure the gas line, check the panel and test the water before you buy.

Questions people ask

Why do some plumbers not recommend tankless water heaters?

Mostly because of the install and upkeep. A gas tankless often needs a bigger gas line and new venting, an electric one may need a service upgrade, and both need a yearly descale. In hard water, Rinnai requires treatment above 12 grains per gallon.

What are the downsides of a tankless water heater?

A higher price to buy and install, a limit on how many fixtures can run at once, no hot water during a power outage, a minimum flow to fire, and yearly descaling. Electric whole-house units need 150 to 300 amp service.

Why do people still use tank water heaters?

They cost less to put in, swap easily for the old tank, deliver a lot of hot water at once, and a gas tank with a thermopile control keeps working without power.

Which lasts longer, a tankless or a tank water heater?

Tankless. DOE gives more than 20 years for tankless and 10 to 15 for a storage tank. Rheem gives 15 to 20 years or more for tankless and 8 to 12 for a tank.

How much energy does a tankless save?

DOE says 24 to 34 percent in homes using 41 gallons a day or less, and 8 to 14 percent in homes using about 86 gallons a day.

Can a tankless run two showers at once?

A large gas unit can. Rinnai’s RX199iN makes 5.5 GPM at a 70°F rise, enough for two 2.0 GPM showers and a faucet. Most electric units can’t in a cold climate.

Is a tankless water heater worth it?

It’s most worth it with gas already at hand, light to moderate hot water use, and soft water or a softener. It’s least worth it when you need a service upgrade or a long new gas line to make it work.

Does a tankless water heater need an expansion tank?

If your water system is closed by a check valve or pressure reducer, yes. Rinnai’s manual says a closed system needs thermal expansion control.

Do tankless water heaters work when the power is out?

No. A gas tankless like the Rinnai RX199iN needs 120 V to run. In freezing weather, its manual says to drain it during an outage.

How I put this together

Why trust me

I’m Isaac Daniels, a licensed journeyman plumber in Georgia. I’ve used each part in the kit. The flow, power, warranty and water-quality figures on this page come from the makers’ spec sheets and manuals, and the efficiency and life figures from the Department of Energy.

How I pick

  • One part for each job a tank or tankless install adds: service valves, a descaling pump, a condensate neutralizer, an expansion tank and a drain pan.
  • Specs from the maker’s listing and documents, checked against the heater manuals that call for each part.
  • Every part is new, genuine and in stock from Amazon or a seller of a well-known brand, checked through Amazon’s Creators API.
  • The parts are a kit with no shared score, because each does a different job. The heaters named on this page are examples for their numbers, not picks.
  • The checker uses DOE’s sizing method, Rinnai’s published flow table and the kW rule that matches Stiebel Eltron’s and EcoSmart’s tables.
  • Prices come from Amazon’s API with the time they were read.

Sources

  • US Department of Energy, Energy Saver: “Tankless or Demand-Type Water Heaters”, “Storage Water Heaters” and “Sizing a New Water Heater” (energy.gov; read from the Internet Archive’s Jan 1, 2026 copies, Oct 22, 2026).
  • Rheem, “Tank vs Tankless Water Heater Lifespan Comparison” (rheem.com). Read Oct 22, 2026.
  • Rinnai, SENSEI RX199iN spec sheet 100000883, SENSEI RX Series brochure, RX/RXP installation and operation manual, and warranty page (rinnai.us).
  • Stiebel Eltron, Tempra Trend specifications (rev. 6.2025) and Trend/Plus operation and installation manual.
  • EcoSmart, ECO 36 use and care manual, ECO 18–36 and ECO 8/11 spec sheets, ECO 11 use and care manual.
  • Rheem, Professional Classic gas spec sheet (PROG50-40N, Rev. 7) and PROE electric spec sheet (Rev. 16); GE GG40T08BXR spec and dimension sheets; Bradford White RE350S6 spec sheet 1201-0926.
  • US Consumer Product Safety Commission recalls 26026 (VST tankless, Oct 16, 2025) and 24137 (Camplux portable tankless, Feb 29, 2024), cpsc.gov.
  • Brand-written Amazon listing text and item data for B005Q5LXY6, B08P55KLZG, B09CQ61HMD, B08BZTFDRD and B000VYKFOQ: read through Amazon’s product data, Oct 22, 2026.
  • Google results and People also ask for “tank vs tankless water heater”: seen Oct 22, 2026. Search volumes from Semrush, Oct 22, 2026.

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