"Tankless is nice, but honestly, if budget's tight, a decent mid-range tank heater still does the job just fine...and leaves cash for pizza afterward."
Couldn't agree more—I've replaced a few heaters over the years, and mid-range tanks have consistently been reliable. Tankless is tempting, but practicality usually wins out...plus, pizza money never hurts.
Tankless definitely has a higher upfront cost, but I think you're overlooking the long-term savings. I've had mine for about five years now, and my monthly gas bill dropped noticeably. Plus, there's something to be said for never running out of hot water—especially if you've got teenagers at home hogging the shower. Pizza money's great, sure...but sometimes investing a bit more upfront pays off down the road. Just my two cents.
"Plus, there's something to be said for never running out of hot water—especially if you've got teenagers at home hogging the shower."
Haha, can confirm this one from personal experience. Tankless is definitely pricier upfront, but I've installed plenty and rarely hear regrets. Rusty water usually means your tank's on borrowed time anyway...repairing might buy you a bit, but replacement (tankless or not) is probably your best bet long-term. Either way, good luck—nothing worse than cold showers in winter!
"Tankless is definitely pricier upfront, but I've installed plenty and rarely hear regrets."
Fair point, but tankless isn't always the magic bullet people think it is. Had one installed at my sister's place, and while endless hot water sounds great, the maintenance caught her off guard. Annual descaling isn't exactly fun or cheap if you're not DIY-inclined. Just something to consider before jumping in—sometimes a quality traditional tank replacement can be simpler and more budget-friendly in the long run.
Good points raised here. My parents switched to tankless a couple years back and, while they do appreciate not running out of hot water, they weren't prepared for the added maintenance either. First year was fine, but by year two, mineral buildup started causing temperature fluctuations. Ended up calling in a plumber for descaling—wasn't cheap. Tankless can be great, just don't underestimate the upkeep... sometimes simpler really is better in the long haul.
