Water heaters: to tank or not to tank

[btuhack]

On demand hot water means on demand energy use. Expect considerable work to bump the gas or electrical capacity to meet the instantaneous demand. Also, when the power goes out, no hot water reserve to tide you over.

[Pink Jazz]

Note that the highest efficiency tank units (such as those with power venting or baffle blowers) will often actually cost more to purchase than a tankless unit while having inferior efficiency.

[chet everett]

Originally Posted by Pink Jazz

Note that the highest efficiency tank units (such as those with power venting or baffle blowers) will often actually cost more to purchase than a tankless unit while having inferior efficiency.

I've never seen any tank type water heater that cost anywhere near as much as tankless... A "power vent" might add a hundred bucks or so the "base price".