Replacing a water heater is a major home decision. Knowing your options before the old unit fails gives you time to choose well.
Tank or Tankless
Tank water heaters store and heat a reservoir of water, while tankless units heat water on demand. Tankless units can save space and may lower energy use, but they need adequate gas or electrical capacity and proper venting.
Size Matters
- Consider how many people live in the home and how much hot water you use at peak times.
- Tank units are sized by capacity in gallons, tankless units by flow rate.
- An undersized unit runs out of hot water, and an oversized one wastes energy.
Consider Your Water
Hard water causes scale that shortens heater life. If you have hard water, ask about softening or treatment as part of your replacement plan.
