Tankless water heaters are our specialty at Supreme Plumbing Service, and the question we hear most in Vancouver and across Clark County is simple: is it actually worth switching from a tank? Here's the honest answer — including the cases where we'd tell you to keep your tank.

How a tankless water heater works

A traditional tank keeps 40–50 gallons of water hot around the clock, whether you use it or not. A tankless (on-demand) unit heats water only when a tap opens, using a high-output gas burner or electric element. No standby tank means no standby heat loss — and no running out of hot water halfway through the second shower.

The real benefits

  • Endless hot water. The unit heats continuously while a tap is open, so back-to-back showers, laundry, and dishes stop competing.
  • Lower energy use. You stop paying to keep a big tank warm 24/7. Most households see a meaningful drop in water-heating costs.
  • Space savings. A wall-mounted tankless unit is about the size of a carry-on suitcase — garages and utility closets get real space back.
  • Longer service life. Well-maintained tankless units commonly outlast tanks, and parts are replaceable rather than the whole unit failing at once.

What installation looks like

A straightforward replacement — swapping a failing unit for a properly sized tankless in the same area — is usually a same-day job for us; most swaps are done in a single visit. A first-time conversion from tank to tankless can involve upsizing the gas line, adding venting, or updating electrical, which we'll flag in the estimate before any work starts. Either way, you'll know the full scope and price up front.

When a tank still makes sense

We'll be straight with you: if your current tank is young and healthy, your household is small, and your gas or electrical service would need major upgrades, the payoff period for going tankless stretches out. In those cases we'll say so — sometimes the right answer is a quality tank replacement or simply a repair.

Sizing matters more than brand

The most common tankless complaint — lukewarm water when two fixtures run at once — is almost always a sizing mistake, not a product problem. Sizing is based on your winter groundwater temperature (colder here in Southwest Washington than the national brochures assume) and how many fixtures you realistically run at the same time. That's the first thing we calculate on every quote.

Get a straight answer for your house

Every home is a little different, which is why we quote in person and put the full scope in writing. If you already have a quote from another plumber, bring it — we'll beat any reasonable estimate.