Tankless Water Heaters

Tankless Water Heater

Because a tankless water heater fires only when a hot tap opens, it eliminates the standby energy loss of keeping 40 to 80 gallons of water hot around the clock, never runs out of hot water mid-shower, and lasts significantly longer than a tank unit. Whether for a whole house, a single point of use, an RV, or an off-grid cabin, the tankless water heater has become the modern standard for efficient, endless hot water.

Tankless water heaters are available in electric, natural gas, and propane (LP) models, in whole-house units sized to run multiple fixtures at once and compact point-of-use units for a single sink or shower, plus indoor, outdoor, and portable configurations. They're rated by gallons per minute (GPM) of hot water delivery and by the temperature rise they achieve at a given flow rate, so the right unit depends on how much hot water you need and your climate. Compared to a tank water heater, a tankless unit saves energy, saves space, delivers endless hot water, and typically lasts 20+ years versus 10–15 for a tank.

The Trade Table carries tankless water heaters from Eccotemp, Marey, PrecisionTemp, and other leading brands — covering electric, natural gas, and propane models in whole-house, point-of-use, indoor, outdoor, RV, and off-grid configurations, with the GPM output and efficiency to match any application.

Tankless Water Heater | Endless On-Demand Hot Water for Whole House, Point-of-Use & Off-Grid

A tankless water heater heats water on demand: when a hot water tap opens, cold water flows through the unit, a gas burner or electric heating element heats it instantly, and hot water flows continuously for as long as the tap runs. When the tap closes, the unit shuts off. This on-demand operation is the fundamental difference from a tank water heater, which stores and continuously reheats 40–80 gallons whether or not anyone's using it. By heating only when needed, a tankless water heater eliminates standby heat loss, delivers an endless supply of hot water, takes up a fraction of the space, and lasts far longer.

Whole house tankless water heaters are sized to run a home's simultaneous hot water demand — multiple showers, sinks, dishwasher, and washing machine at once — typically delivering 5 to 10+ GPM depending on the model and the home's needs. A whole house tankless water heater replaces a tank unit as the home's central hot water source, and sizing it correctly to the number of fixtures used at once and the local incoming water temperature is essential: colder climates require higher-output units to achieve the same flow because the unit works harder to raise the water temperature. For larger homes or high simultaneous demand, multiple tankless units can be installed in parallel.

Point-of-use tankless water heaters are compact units installed close to a single fixture — a bathroom sink, a remote shower, a wet bar, or a workshop sink — delivering instant hot water right where it's needed without waiting for hot water to travel from a distant heater. Point-of-use units eliminate the wait and the wasted water of a long pipe run, and are often used to supplement a main water heater for far-flung fixtures or additions.

Tankless water heaters run on three fuel types. Electric tankless water heaters heat with an element, install compactly without venting, and suit point-of-use and whole-home applications where adequate electrical service is available. Natural gas tankless water heaters connect to a municipal gas line for unlimited fuel and high output, ideal for whole-house use in homes with gas service. Propane (LP) tankless water heaters run on propane from a tank, ideal where there's no natural gas line — off-grid homes, cabins, rural properties, and RVs. Each fuel type has its place depending on what's available at the installation and the output required.

Beyond whole-house use, tankless water heaters serve a wide range of applications: RV and camper hot water, off-grid cabins running on propane and battery ignition, outdoor showers, additions and outbuildings, and point-of-use supplements. Indoor models vent combustion outside (on gas/propane units), outdoor models mount on an exterior wall and vent to open air, and portable models bring hot water anywhere there's propane and a water source. The Trade Table helps match the right tankless water heater — fuel type, GPM, and configuration — to the application.

Tankless Water Heater Options

• Whole house tankless water heaters (5–10+ GPM) for multiple fixtures
• Point-of-use tankless water heaters for single fixtures
• Electric tankless water heaters for compact, ventless installation
• Natural gas tankless water heaters for whole-house use on a gas line
• Propane (LP) tankless water heaters for off-grid, rural, and RV use
• Indoor tankless water heaters with power or direct venting
• Outdoor tankless water heaters that vent to open air
• Portable and RV tankless water heaters
• Off-grid tankless water heaters with battery or hydro ignition
• Condensing high-efficiency models for maximum energy savings
• Eccotemp, Marey, and PrecisionTemp tankless units
• Models rated for cold-climate temperature rise

Benefits of Tankless Water Heaters

• Endless on-demand hot water — never runs out mid-shower
• Energy savings — no standby loss from keeping a tank hot
• Compact design saves significant space over a tank
• Longer lifespan — typically 20+ years vs 10–15 for a tank
• Lower operating cost over the unit's life
• Whole-house, point-of-use, and off-grid configurations
• Electric, natural gas, and propane fuel options
• Indoor, outdoor, and portable models
• Only heats water when you need it
• Higher efficiency, especially condensing models
• Reduces water waste waiting for hot water (point-of-use)
• Qualifies for energy-efficiency rebates on many models

Common Uses for Tankless Water Heaters

• Whole-house hot water as the home's main source
• Replacing an aging or failed tank water heater
• Point-of-use hot water for remote or far-flung fixtures
• Off-grid homes and cabins (propane models)
• RV, camper, and van hot water
• Outdoor showers and pool houses
• Additions, outbuildings, and workshops
• Rural properties beyond the natural gas line
• Supplementing a main heater for distant fixtures
• New construction specifying efficient hot water
• Reducing energy bills with on-demand heating
• Small apartments and condos with limited space

Why Buy Tankless Water Heaters from The Trade Table?

The Trade Table helps customers select the right tankless water heater based on application (whole house, point-of-use, RV, or off-grid), fuel type (electric for compact ventless installation, natural gas for whole-house on a gas line, or propane for off-grid and rural use), hot water demand (the GPM needed for the number of simultaneous fixtures), climate (temperature rise required and freeze protection), and indoor vs outdoor installation. Our team provides guidance on sizing the unit's GPM to the fixtures and incoming water temperature, choosing the right fuel type for what's available at the installation, deciding between whole-house and point-of-use, and matching the heater to RV, cabin, and home applications. We carry tankless water heaters from Eccotemp, Marey, and PrecisionTemp with full manufacturer warranty coverage.

Tankless Water Heater FAQs

How much does a tankless water heater cost?

Tankless water heater cost depends on the fuel type, output (GPM), and whether you're pricing the unit alone or installed. The unit itself typically ranges from a few hundred dollars for a compact point-of-use electric model up to $1,000–$1,500+ for a high-output whole-house condensing gas model. Installed cost is higher and varies significantly by region and site conditions, since it can include venting (for gas and propane models), gas line upsizing, electrical work, mounting, and permits — often adding $1,000–$3,000+ to the unit price for a professional whole-house installation. Electric point-of-use units are the least expensive to install; whole-house gas condensing units are the most. The Trade Table provides current unit pricing and helps you understand the full installed-cost picture for your configuration.

How much does a whole house tankless water heater cost?

A whole house tankless water heater unit generally runs from around $500 to $1,500+ depending on fuel type and output, with high-output condensing natural gas and propane models at the upper end because they deliver the GPM needed to run multiple fixtures at once. Installed, a whole-house tankless system typically costs more than a comparable tank unit upfront due to venting, potential gas line upsizing, and electrical requirements — though the higher efficiency, longer lifespan, and energy savings offset the difference over the unit's 20+ year life. Total installed cost varies by whether you're replacing an existing tankless, converting from a tank, and your home's gas and electrical setup. The Trade Table helps size and price a whole-house tankless system for your home.

Is a tankless water heater worth it?

For most households, a tankless water heater is worth it over its lifetime. The advantages are substantial: endless on-demand hot water that never runs out, energy savings from eliminating standby heat loss (the Department of Energy notes tankless units can be more energy-efficient than tank heaters, especially in lower-use homes), a much longer lifespan (20+ years vs 10–15 for a tank), and significant space savings. The trade-off is a higher upfront and installation cost than a tank unit. Over the unit's life, the energy savings and longevity typically justify the investment, and the endless hot water and space savings are immediate quality-of-life benefits. For high-demand households, off-grid properties, and anyone tired of running out of hot water, the value is clear.

What size tankless water heater do I need?

Tankless water heaters are sized by GPM (gallons per minute) and temperature rise. First, add up the GPM of the fixtures you want to run at the same time — a shower is roughly 2–2.5 GPM, a sink 1–1.5 GPM, so running two showers at once needs about 4–5 GPM. Then account for temperature rise: the colder your incoming water, the more the unit must work to reach your target temperature, which reduces the effective flow rate. In warm climates, a given unit delivers more GPM than the same unit in a cold climate. A whole house typically needs 5–10 GPM depending on simultaneous demand and climate, while a point-of-use fixture needs only 1.5–3 GPM. The Trade Table helps calculate the right GPM for your fixtures and climate.

What's the difference between a tankless and a tank water heater?

A tank water heater stores and continuously heats 40–80 gallons of water, keeping it hot around the clock so it's ready when you need it — simple and lower upfront cost, but it wastes energy on standby heat loss, can run out of hot water during heavy use, takes up significant space, and typically lasts 10–15 years. A tankless water heater heats water on demand as it flows, only firing when you use hot water — delivering endless hot water, eliminating standby loss for better efficiency, taking up a fraction of the space, and lasting 20+ years. The trade-offs are a higher upfront and installation cost for tankless. For most modern homes, tankless offers better long-term efficiency, endless hot water, and space savings; tank units remain a lower-upfront-cost option.

How long do tankless water heaters last?

Tankless water heaters typically last 20 years or more with proper maintenance — significantly longer than the 10–15 year lifespan of a tank water heater. This longevity is a major part of their long-term value: while a tankless unit costs more upfront, it often outlasts two tank units. Lifespan depends on water quality (hard water causes scale buildup that shortens life, so periodic descaling/flushing is important), proper installation and sizing, and routine maintenance per the manufacturer's schedule. Many tankless units have replaceable parts that extend their service life even further. Installing a water softener in hard-water areas and flushing the unit annually keeps a tankless water heater performing for its full lifespan.

Can a tankless water heater run a whole house?

Yes — whole house tankless water heaters are specifically designed to supply a home's entire hot water demand, including running multiple fixtures at once. The key is proper sizing: the unit must deliver enough GPM to handle your home's peak simultaneous demand (for example, two showers plus a running sink), accounting for your climate's incoming water temperature. High-output whole-house units deliver 5–10+ GPM, and for very large homes or exceptionally high demand, multiple tankless units can be installed in parallel to increase total capacity. Correctly sized, a tankless water heater runs an entire household with endless hot water. Undersizing is the most common mistake — the Trade Table helps calculate the right whole-house capacity for your fixtures and climate.

Do tankless water heaters save money?

Tankless water heaters save money on operating costs over time by eliminating standby heat loss — they don't spend energy keeping a tank of water hot 24/7, only heating water when you use it. The Department of Energy indicates tankless units can be meaningfully more energy-efficient than tank heaters, with the savings most pronounced in lower-use households. Combined with a 20+ year lifespan (versus 10–15 for a tank), the lifetime cost of ownership often favors tankless despite the higher upfront and installation cost. Additional savings can come from energy-efficiency rebates available on many high-efficiency and condensing models. The payback period depends on your hot water usage, local energy rates, and the unit's efficiency, but over the full lifespan, tankless typically comes out ahead.