The doe notes that storage tank water heaters typically last 10 to 15 years while most tankless units have a life expectancy of 20 years or more.
													
																	Tank versus tankless hot water heaters. 
								
	
		
	
																	One of the first things to consider is whether you should get a tank or tankless water heater. 
																	For a tank based traditional hot water system the lifespan is usually 10 years. 
																	Instead they heat water as it passes through the unit using a heat exchanger to rapidly bring it. 
																	Water heaters with tanks. 
															
													
								
	
		
	
																	And s torage tank water heaters while less expensive up front don t last as long as tankless options. 
																	If you use lots of hot water daily around 86 gallons you might enjoy energy efficiency of an additional 8 to 14 percent. 
																	Energy efficient according to consumerreports tankless water heaters on average are 22 percent more energy efficient than traditional water heaters. 
																	The operational life of a tankless water heater is usually 20 years if not more. 
															
													
								
	
		
	
																	You re not limited to the capacity of a holding tank. 
																	Tankless water heaters are more compact and can heat up water as you use it. 
																	With regular maintenance and repairs a tankless system may last up to 30 years or up to 3 times longer than a traditional hot water heater. 
																	As their name implies tankless or on demand water heaters don t store water in a tank.