Any plumbing professionals here? (Water heater)

[scottprice]

I need to replace my propane water heater and I’m not sure if I should replace it with another tank unit or go tankless. We are a family of 4 and nobody takes excessively long showers.

Are there any manufacturers I should avoid?

 

[Shortschaf]

Thread 'Residential Insta Hot Water Heater'

Mar 19, 2026

I currently have a 50 gallon gas water heater and my wife complains about the water getting cold before the jacuzzi tub fills up. The water that does come out is almost scalding, so i don't want to turn it up any higher. Does anyone have an insta-hot water heater that you would/wouldn't recommend? Gas or electric? Worst case scenario if we don't find something is replace it with twin 40's or something bigger than we currently have. TIA

• LFC911
• Replies: 12
• Forum: General Discussion Forum

Have you priced out both options?
That might make the decision for you. Im not a plumber, but assuming you were fine with a 40 or 50gal tank before, everything Ive seen to date suggests you need to run a tankless for 20 years before it makes financial sense

 

[S.Clancy]

I need to replace my propane water heater and I’m not sure if I should replace it with another tank unit or go tankless. We are a family of 4 and nobody takes excessively long showers.

Are there any manufacturers I should avoid?

The biggest issue is probably water quality. Sounds like you are on a well, I would do a water quality test (hardness, iron, total TDS) and then talk to a plumber. Outside of that, tankless is the way to go, IMO.

 

[Jstumbaugh]

Tankless is nice if you have ever run out of hot water from the tank. Tankless will cost more than the tank style. If you go tankless, make sure the plumber installs with a isolation valve kit for flushing the unit out.