Tankless Water Heaters: The Pros and Cons of Upgrading to a Tankless Unit

Switching from a tank style water heater to a tankless unit is a real upgrade for a lot of homes, but it's not automatically the right call for every one of them. Here's what's genuinely worth weighing before you decide.

The Case For Going Tankless

A tankless unit heats water on demand instead of storing and reheating a tank of it around the clock, so you're not paying to keep 40 or 50 gallons hot through the hours nobody runs a tap. It also takes up a fraction of the space a storage tank does, which frees up real room in a garage or utility closet, and a well installed unit tends to deliver more consistent hot water than an aging tank does.

Tank vs. Tankless: The Space and Setup Difference

A storage tank unit needs a dedicated footprint, usually 40 to 50 gallons worth of tank plus clearance around it. A tankless unit mounts to the wall and takes up a fraction of that space, which is part of why garages and utility closets that were built around a tank often free up real usable space after the switch.

What a Good Installation Looks Like

We specialize in Navien gas tankless installations, and a standard installation with us includes removal and disposal of the old 40 or 50 gallon tank style unit, mounting and securing the new Navien tankless unit, connecting all the water lines, a gas line connection within 3 feet of the heater, a condensate line, an isolation valve kit for future maintenance, up to 8 feet of sidewall venting, and a full startup, test, and walkthrough once it's in.

What Can Push the Cost Up

Not every install is standard. Roof venting, extra vent length, a longer gas line run, a dedicated recirculation or return line, and gas line enlargements beyond typical code all add to the scope of the job. None of that is hidden, it's just worth knowing about upfront so there are no surprises. Honest pricing means clear, upfront pricing, with no hidden add-ons.

The Case Against Rushing Into It

Tankless isn't the right fit for every home without a little preparation first. The biggest one: a tankless water heater should never be installed without a functioning, quality water softener system already in place. Hard water is hard on the internal components of a tankless unit specifically, and skipping that step invites trouble early. It's also a bigger upfront project than a tank swap, since it usually involves venting and sometimes gas line work, not just a straight replacement.

The Lowest Price Challenge

If you're already comparing quotes, we'll beat any licensed, bonded, and insured competitor's written quote for a standard Navien tankless installation, or you get $150 off your next plumbing service with us. A few conditions apply: the competing quote has to be written or digital, from a licensed, bonded and insured competitor, for the same brand and model, within the Phoenix metro service area, paid by cash or check rather than credit card or financing, during normal business hours, and we reserve the right to verify the competing quote. It applies to a standard gas tankless installation replacing a 40 or 50 gallon tank style unit.

What to Ask Before You Commit

• Is there a functioning water softener already in place, or does one need to go in first
• Does the gas line need to be upgraded to handle the new unit's demand
• What venting does the install require, a standard run or something longer
• Is this a straight swap for a 40 or 50 gallon tank, or a different setup entirely

Our Take

For a lot of East Valley homes, tankless is a genuine upgrade, especially once a softener is already in place. It's not something to rush into on a whim, but for a home with an aging tank and the right prep work done first, it tends to be worth it.

Making the Call

If your current tank is nearing the end of its life, a tankless upgrade is worth a real look. If it's still got years left in it, there's no rush, a straightforward repair or an annual flush might be all it needs for now.

Majesty Plumbing has served Queen Creek, Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, Tempe and San Tan Valley since 2007 and specializes in Navien gas tankless installations. Call (480) 677-2221 and ask whether tankless makes sense for your home.