70 West Plumbing · Homeowner guide
Tank or Tankless?
Questions before replacing your water heater
The right choice starts with your home and how you use hot water. Before you pick a system, run through these questions about capacity, installation and ongoing care.
Explore water heater servicesThe basic difference
Stored hot water or heating on demand?
A storage water heater keeps heated water in a tank. A tankless unit heats water as it moves through the equipment. Either one can work well when the model fits your household.
Storage tank
Ask whether the proposed tank can cover your busiest period of hot-water use, and how it compares with the equipment you have now.
Tankless
Ask how much hot water the proposed unit can deliver when several fixtures are running together. A small unit doesn’t mean unlimited hot water.
01 · Daily demand
When does everyone need hot water?
Think about your busiest morning or evening. Are two showers running at once? Does someone start the dishwasher or laundry at the same time? Mention a large bathtub or a planned bathroom addition, too.
For tankless equipment, sizing considers the combined flow of fixtures in use and the temperature rise the unit must provide. Incoming water temperature matters too, and the biggest flow number on a product listing doesn’t answer every household’s question.
Come ready to describe your routine. That’s more helpful than picking a model based only on how many people live in the home.
02 · Your existing setup
What would need to change for installation?
Switching from a tank to tankless is a project, not a simple swap. Your fuel supply, electrical needs, venting, location and service access all need to be checked for the model you’re considering.
Have the current heater’s brand and model ready if they are easy to see. Tell the plumber where it is installed and whether you want the replacement in the same place. You do not need to open covers or identify technical connections yourself.
Ask what other changes are included in the quote and whether another trade would be needed. A good recommendation explains what fits your home, not just a popular product name.
Will tankless make the shower hot instantly?
Not necessarily. Heating water on demand and delivering it to a distant faucet are different things: water still has to travel through the plumbing. Tell the plumber whether your main concern is running out of hot water, waiting for it to arrive, or both.
03 · Ongoing care
What maintenance will this model need?
Ask for the manufacturer’s care requirements before deciding. Tank and tankless systems both need model-appropriate attention; tankless flushing or descaling requirements can vary with equipment and water conditions.
Ask what service is recommended, when to schedule it and which instructions should stay with the equipment. Don’t assume every heater follows the same yearly schedule.
70 West Plumbing’s water heater services include tankless installation, repair and maintenance. Call to talk through your current unit or the model you’re considering.
04 · Comparing quotes
Compare the whole job, not just the heater price
Two quotes can cover different equipment and different amounts of work. Keep this checklist handy:
- What exact model is proposed, and how does it fit our hot-water use?
- Which installation materials and connection changes are included?
- Are any electrical, fuel-supply or venting changes needed, and who handles them?
- Are permits and removal of the old equipment included or separate?
- What warranty terms apply to the equipment and to the installation?
- What ongoing care should we plan for?
Settle these before you schedule. The answers depend on your home and the job, and they are not a promise that every item is included in every installation.
Need a plumber?
Weighing tank or tankless? Give us a call.
70 West Plumbing serves Hot Springs, Bismarck, Bonnerdale and Glenwood. Share your town, current heater and the hot-water problem you want to solve.
Available 6AM–6PM, seven days a week.