Is a tankless water heater better than a high performance tank water heater?
Regardless of which water heater type you choose, be sure to look for a water heater that has a high Energy Factor (EF); .90 or better is ideal. Tankless units, unlike tank units, save on gas or electricity because there is no stand-by heat loss caused by keeping the water warm when not in use. However, tankless water heaters use more gas or electricity at time of use. We recommend that an on-demand recirculating pump be installed on any hot water system to save water and energy. Unless an on-demand recirculating water pump is also in operation, a tankless unit will add to water consumption because of additional pipe within the unit. Depending on your current plumbing and electrical configuration, additional resources may be required when installing a new water heater. In the event of a disaster, a tank water heater will provide an emergency source of water.
