Tankless vs Tank Water Heater in Northern Utah | Empire
What Northern Utah's Hard Water Changes
Most people choose a water heater on the worst possible day: the day the old one stops working. In our area that tends to happen in the colder months, and our water heater replacement calls peak from October through March. With no hot water in the house, it is tempting to put back whatever was there before.
If you have a little time to think it through, it is worth it. Most tankless vs tank comparisons online are written for anywhere in the country. In Northern Utah, hard water changes the maintenance, the lifespan and the long-term cost of both options. Here is how we explain it to our own customers.
The Short Answer
Neither option is right for every home. A tankless water heater is the better long-term choice for many households, but not all of them. The right answer depends on how much hot water your home uses at once, how long you plan to stay, and what your current gas line and venting can support.
When we look at your home, we tell you which one we would choose for our own house, and why.
How Each Type Works
A tank water heater stores a set amount of water and keeps it hot around the clock, ready for whenever you need it. When the tank runs out, you wait for it to heat up again.
A tankless water heater heats water only as it flows through the unit. There is no stored supply to run out of and no tank keeping water hot while nobody is using it.
Tankless vs Tank Water Heater at a Glance
| Tankless | Tank | |
|---|---|---|
| Hot water supply | Heats water as you use it, so it does not run out | Limited to what the tank holds; it can run out when several fixtures run at once |
| Space | Mounts on the wall | Takes up floor space |
| Lifespan | Around 20 years with annual descaling | Roughly half as long as a well-maintained tankless unit |
| Upfront cost | Higher, especially when converting from a tank | Lower |
| Running cost | More efficient day to day | Keeps a full tank hot around the clock |
| Running cost | More efficient day to day | Keeps a full tank hot around the clock |
| Hard water care | Annual descale, starting at $195 | Flushing and annual maintenance |
| Fuel in our area | Gas only | Gas or electric |
How Northern Utah's Hard Water Changes the Math
What hard water does to a tankless water heater
Our water carries a lot of minerals. Over time they build up inside a tankless unit, then break free and fall into the heat exchanger. Left alone, that buildup forces the unit to work harder and shortens its life.
The fix is an annual descale. We circulate a cleaning solution through the system, and the mineral chunks come out into our bucket. During the same visit we clear the air intake, where we often find leaves, and the condensate trap, where dirt and debris collect. With that once-a-year service, a tankless unit lasts around 20 years. Annual descaling starts at $195. Our tankless water heater page explains the service in more detail.
What hard water does to a tank water heater
Tank water heaters deal with the same water. Minerals settle inside the tank over time, which is why we recommend flushing and annual maintenance for tanks as well. We also check the parts around the tank, like the expansion tank and the pressure regulator valve. When a tank reaches the end of its life, our water heater replacement team can get you back to hot water quickly.
When a Tankless Water Heater Makes Sense
• You never want to run out of hot water, even with a full house
• You want the floor space a tank takes up
• You plan to stay in the home long enough for the efficiency to pay back
• Your gas line and venting can support it, or you are open to that work
In our area we install gas tankless units only.
When a Tank Is Still the Better Choice
• Your home regularly draws a lot of hot water at once, across several fixtures
• The upfront cost matters more to you right now than the monthly running cost
• Switching would mean major changes to your existing setup
We still install plenty of tanks, and we are happy to. You can see how that works on our water heater installation page.
What Affects the Cost of Each Option
Every home is different, so we do not publish one price for every job. What moves the cost is the same for most homes:
• Unit size. We measure what your household actually needs instead of guessing.
• Straight replacement or conversion. Replacing a tank with a tank, or a tankless with a tankless, costs less than converting from a tank to tankless.
• Gas line. Many conversions need a gas line upgrade. We handle that work ourselves through our gas line installation service.
• Venting. A tankless unit has its own venting requirements, and some homes need new venting.
Before any work begins, we explain what your home needs and give you a written estimate that covers the unit, the installation and any gas or venting work. The price we quote is the price you pay. Estimates are free on larger jobs, and financing is available on every job.
Protect Whichever One You Choose
Hard water affects every appliance that heats water in your home. If scale is a problem where you live, a water softener or a whole-home water filtration system is worth considering alongside a new water heater. We install and service both, along with reverse osmosis drinking water systems, and we can test your water first so you know what you are dealing with.
Water Heater Service Across Northern Utah
Empire Plumbing & Service is a family-run, woman-owned plumbing company based in Morgan, with more than 30 years of hands-on family experience in Northern Utah homes. We install, repair and maintain tank and tankless water heaters in Morgan, Ogden, Layton, Kaysville, Farmington, Heber and Park City, and across Davis, Weber, Salt Lake, Cache and Box Elder counties, as well as Evanston, Wyoming.
We are certified Navien partners, and we service Rheem, Lochinvar and all other brands. We are licensed and insured, and when you call, a real person answers the phone.
Not sure which water heater is right for your home? Call us at (385) 381-9995 and we will help you decide, with an honest recommendation and a clear price.
faq
Tankless vs Tank FAQ
Is a tankless water heater worth it with hard water?
It can be, as long as it is descaled once a year. With annual descaling, a tankless unit lasts around 20 years, roughly twice as long as a conventional tank. Without it, the minerals in Northern Utah water build up inside the unit and shorten its life.
How much does it cost to maintain a tankless water heater?
The main upkeep is an annual descale, which starts at $195 with Empire Plumbing. During the visit we also clear the air intake and the condensate trap.
How long does a tankless water heater last compared to a tank?
A tankless water heater lasts around 20 years with regular servicing, roughly twice as long as a conventional tank water heater.
What does it take to convert from a tank to a tankless water heater?
A conversion usually involves sizing the unit to your household, upgrading the gas line if needed, and new venting. That is why a conversion costs more than a straight replacement. We explain what your home needs and give you a written estimate before any work begins.
Title or Question
We are certified Navien partners. Rheem, Navien and Lochinvar are the brands we see most, and we service all makes and models.
Do you still install tank water heaters?
Yes. We repair, replace and install tank water heaters, and we offer flushing and annual maintenance for them.
Get an Honest Water Heater Recommendation?
We look at your home, tell you which one we would choose for our own house, and give you a written estimate before any work begins. Estimates are free on larger jobs.
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