One of the most common questions Ontario homeowners ask us is: "Should I get a tankless or a tank water heater?" The honest answer is — it depends on your home, your family size, and your budget.
We install both at GT Home Services, so we have no agenda to push one over the other. This guide gives you the real pros and cons of each so you can make the right choice for your home.
Tankless is better for larger families who want endless hot water and lower energy bills. Tank is better for smaller households or anyone who wants the lowest upfront cost. Both are available as rentals with $0 upfront.
A tank water heater stores 40–75 gallons of pre-heated water ready for use at any time. When you use hot water, cold water enters the tank and gets heated. The downside is you can run out of hot water if multiple people shower back-to-back.
A tankless system (also called on-demand water heater) heats water instantly as it flows through the unit — there's no storage tank. You never run out of hot water because it heats continuously on demand. The downside is a higher upfront cost.
| Feature | Tank Water Heater | Tankless Water Heater |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase cost | From $1,777 (CV) · $2,111 (PV) | From $3,111 |
| Monthly rental | From $21.99/mo | From $37.99/mo |
| Hot water supply | Limited — can run out | Endless — never runs out |
| Energy efficiency | Lower — heats 24/7 | Up to 40% more efficient |
| Space required | Large tank footprint | Compact wall-mounted unit |
| Upfront cost | Lower | Higher |
| Monthly gas bill | Higher | Lower |
| Lifespan | 10–15 years | 20+ years |
| Installation time | 2–3 hours | 3–5 hours |
| Best for | 1–3 people, older homes | 3+ people, modern homes |
| Tank (CV50 — Purchase) | Tankless (NPE-210S2 — Purchase) | |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase price | $1,777 | $3,333 |
| Annual gas cost (est.) | $600/yr | $360/yr (40% less) |
| Repairs over 10 yrs (est.) | $800 | $300 |
| Total 10-year cost | $8,577 | $7,233 |
Over 10 years, tankless actually costs less despite the higher upfront price — thanks to energy savings. The break-even point is typically around year 5-6.
We install Bradford White tank water heaters exclusively — they're made in the USA and carry one of the strongest warranties in the industry. We offer Power Vent (PV) and Chimney Vent (CV) models in 40, 50, 60, and 75 gallon sizes.
Navien is the #1 selling condensing tankless brand in North America. Their NPE-S2 (Standard) and NPE-A2 (Advanced with recirculation) series are exceptionally reliable and efficient. We also install Rinnai SENSEI and Kepler tankless systems.
Both tank and tankless are available as rental plans through GT Home Services:
Rental includes installation, annual maintenance, and full parts and labour — no surprise repair bills ever.
We install tankless water heaters across all of these cities:
Brampton · Mississauga · Toronto · Vaughan · Etobicoke · Caledon · Milton · Oakville · Ajax · Whitby · Oshawa · Hamilton
We install Bradford White tank water heaters across all of these cities:
Brampton · Mississauga · Toronto · Vaughan · Etobicoke · Caledon · Milton · Oakville · Ajax · Whitby · Oshawa · Hamilton
Also looking for a furnace? We serve all 12 cities:
Brampton · Mississauga · Toronto · Vaughan · Etobicoke · Caledon · Milton · Oakville · Ajax · Whitby · Oshawa · Hamilton
Call us — our licensed technicians will assess your home and recommend the right system. Free advice, no obligation.
Call (647) 677-0037