Water Heaters (Tank vs. Tankless)

Despite being an essential part of the home, a water heater rarely gets the attention it deserves. Let’s admit many of us forget how to operate a water heater at home. Though it is a workhorse that runs every day through all seasons, delivering warm water to sinks and showers, we rarely think about its maintenance.

When you can’t get hot water, or the heater takes longer to warm the water, it’s a sign that you should consider buying a new one. You may consult professional plumbing services like Conejo Valley Home Services Plumbing & Rooter to check your water heater and help you make the right decision.

If you decide to invest in a new water heater, the first thing to decide is whether you should buy a tank or tankless water heater. If energy efficiency is one of your concerns, you should spend more time deciding on a specific option.

If you’re the type to decide based on current trends, the chances are that you’ll opt for a tankless water heater. The new technology claims to use less energy compared to storage water heaters. But are these heaters more energy efficient? What is their operational cost, or do they offset the high upfront expenses?

If you’re considering buying a water heater, keep on reading to learn more about their types and the differences between them. 

Water Heater Services

Water Heater Services

Water Heater Repair, Maintenance, and Installation

When a water heater stops working, it may mean no more high-temp laundry cycles, hot dishwashers, or warm showers. It is always better to hire qualified plumbing professionals as your comfort means everything for them. Whether you require assistance in installing, repairing, or replacing your water heater, competent professionals like Conejo Valley Home Services Plumbing & Rooter are always willing to help you.

A tank-type water heater is easier to install and maintain. A tankless water heater, on the other hand, saves money and lasts longer. Plus, it’s cheaper to purchase tankless water heater parts as opposed to those of a tank-type water heater.  

Your previous tank type is also an important consideration when installing a tankless system. Keep in mind that the installation cost of a tankless water heater in a business and home (that previously had a tank-type water heater) is usually higher. It happens because the local plumbing contractor needs to retrofit the entire system to install a tankless heater and ensure proper functioning. 

Types of Water Heaters

Tank

What is a Tank Water Heater?

The tank water heater is the most common type of water heater found in homes. Typically, it is a conventional model comprising an insulated tank that heats and stores water. It comes with an attached pipe on the top that pulls the water when you need it. The water heaters, in general, run on fuel or natural gas. Also, these tanks use less energy compared to electric water heaters.

How Do Tank Water Heaters Work?

A tank-type water heater increases the temperature of the water supply using either of two modalities: fuel or electricity. If you have a fuel-powered water heater, it may be powered by either oil or natural gas. 

Many homeowners opt for water heaters that use natural gas. Oil-based water heaters are also a popular choice in specific geographical areas.

Generally, a tank-type water heater: 

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Michelle Perez profile pictureMichelle Perez
18:37 12 Dec 25
I have used Conejo Seviced a couple of times now, and they have done a fantastic job both times. They were prompt, professional, easy to talk to, honest, and did the job in the specified time frame. I will happy to continue using them.
Lana Light profile pictureLana Light
02:38 12 Dec 25
Owen was my electric tech,
and from the conversation over a couple of electrical issues here, I understood quickly that Owen knows the line of work very well: educated, smart, polite, with down the the earth professional demineur... He checked the wiring, and explained the possibilities why my appliance keeps tripping the breaker..
Thank you Owen.
The company has a right set up. They would also remind you about the appointment, and would convinietly call you a few minutes ahead.

They have the right codes... they won't walk in their shoes on your floors either...
I strongly recommend the Conejo company for your electrical issues...
Robert Lewis profile pictureRobert Lewis
22:40 11 Dec 25
Juan did an outstanding job. He is very professional and personable. He kept us informed on what he was doing. It was a pleasure working with him and Conejo Services. We have used you before and we have always had prompt and professional service. Thank you so very much.
Leslie Hackney profile pictureLeslie Hackney
18:30 08 Dec 25
When our 31 year-old furnace suddenly stopped working, they were out within 24 hours of my call. It was a quick and easy replacement part, but something we wouldn’t dare do ourselves. It’s good to know we’ve found a reliable repair service!
Alejandra Aldana profile pictureAlejandra Aldana
01:20 05 Dec 25
It was excellent service from the initial request to schedule an appt for electrical repairs and the installation updates as to the time and date of service technician arrival at work site. The service person was timely in his arrival time, considerate , respectful and courteous.
Major Tom profile pictureMajor Tom
13:06 03 Dec 25
David G. was patient, personable and explained things. He was thorough and cleaned up after himself. He is an asset to the company and exemplifies the level of professionalism and quality that I have come to expect from Conejo Services.
Linda Munday profile pictureLinda Munday
04:49 03 Dec 25
The entire staff were wonderful. The crew that came out to do the installation were so nice and respectful. I would recommend them to anyone.
Carol Riccobono profile pictureCarol Riccobono
23:09 01 Dec 25
Juan did an excellent job checking out our furnace and dryer vent. He was very informative and thorough. And he did not try to upsell us on other services.
Ted Haber profile pictureTed Haber
03:36 29 Nov 25
Omar was our electrician. He was very professional and easy to work with. He gets my vote.
Matt Bovard profile pictureMatt Bovard
22:26 26 Nov 25
I like supporting local Ventura county companies and then when they do such a great job it’s double gratification…
Joe F. profile pictureJoe F.
00:18 26 Nov 25
Heesse was on time, performed a HVAC tune up, and solved the problem of the thermostat not working. I know who I will contact for future hone repair needs.
Steve Kurasch profile pictureSteve Kurasch
21:18 25 Nov 25
Jesse was here right on time to do testing and inspection of our furnaces. He was very thorough, professional and knowledgable and corrected several problems that other companies missed. He also gave us some options to look at in the future. We signed up for their maintenance plan and feel very confident that Conejo Services will meet our needs now and in the future. Thank you for giving us peace of mind!
Mary O'Sullivan profile pictureMary O'Sullivan
00:55 14 Aug 25
This company really stands behind its work. I have the platinum maintenance for my both HVAC and plumbing, both installed by them and it really pays off. The plumbing area, especially, led by Andrew Dilger and team are honest, thorough, skilled and offer options from minimal to full overhaul with pro’s and cons and short vs. long-term financial differentials of each approach. I have an older home with pipes at end of their 60 year shelf-life and it’s a new area for me. It’s really great to be able to trust a company when the product isn’t visible, but buried in the ground. I liked Derek who identified a potential issue during normal maintenance and the oversight of Andrew confirming it and best approach. I think it’s the honest approach set by senior management, including Andrew, Ralph and others. And highly professional! Kudos!
Jennifer Friedman profile pictureJennifer Friedman
00:45 10 Apr 25
We were on Conejo’s maintenance plan for a while. We found they were very thorough in checking our A/C, plumbing and electric systems. It is worth considering these plans.

We had other work done where we felt the pricing was quite high, like for a garbage disposal and for installing a tankless hot water heater. So consumers should be sure to do price comparisons.

When they put in our tankless hot water heater, there were a couple of code violations that needed to be corrected, plus we had some questions about the costs. But when our concerns finally reached the Customer Service managers, their response was excellent and all our concerns were immediately and satisfactorily resolved.
Rick Phillips profile pictureRick Phillips
00:10 03 Feb 25
I strongly suggest getting cost estimates from other companies before hiring Conejo. I was provided an estimate of $7149 to perform what turned out to be 7 hours of work by two (relatively low paid) employees and a couple hours to use specialty equipment to pinpoint failure point. I had a blockage in my home sewer system caused by root intrusion. By using their tool inserted into the sewer pipe they said the blockage was 8 feet deep and under my concrete entryway walkway and would therefore take two workmen 2 to 3 days to complete the repairs. I questioned that pricing since it seemed too high and was provided a reduction of $850 to $6299. That still seemed like a high price but I needed to get the work done quickly so I accepted the bid. (My big mistake.) I monitored the work when their two workmen came to make the repairs. I am retired from SoCalGas so have some knowledge about excavating and fixing damaged pipe. The sewer pipe was only 3 feet deep, not 8 feet deep. The work involved digging and exposing the 4-inch plastic sewer pipe and then cutting out a 3-foot section and installing new pipe, then backfilling the excavation (which was done poorly – was not well compacted – I did this after they left as best I could. I hope my entryway sidewalk doesn’t fail/crack in the future.) They completed the work in 7 hours. I then contacted Conejo and asked to them to reconsider the price since the basis of the estimate was incorrect. I eventually spoke with their plumbing manager, Nick, who said he would speak with the person who developed the estimate and get back to me. Nick never got back to me even though I called their offices twice and texted Nick. The next contact I had from Conejo was a revised bill reducing the charge by $500, leaving me with a bill of $5799. On the positive side, the people I spoke with in their billing and/or scheduling department with friendly and responsive.
Ben Rogers profile pictureBen Rogers
17:47 26 Jan 25
Conejo installed a new furnace and water heater at my home, and I’m so impressed with the quality of their work. Their prices are competitive and their team is the best!
Pav G profile picturePav G
20:40 08 Aug 24
Outstanding Service from Alfredo at Conejo Valley Heating and AC

We’ve had ongoing AC issues for a couple of years, and after trying other companies, we finally found the solution with Alfredo from Conejo Valley Heating and AC. The level of professionalism and quality of work Alfredo delivered was unparalleled.

From the moment he arrived, Alfredo impressed us with his attention to detail—respecting our home by wearing booties and carefully assessing the situation. He identified the root cause of our AC problems, taking his time and staying late into the afternoon, even after a long, busy day. As the last appointment of the day, Alfredo made sure our AC was fully repaired before leaving.

Beyond fixing the immediate issue, Alfredo also provided valuable advice and options for maintaining our AC in the future, along with some helpful plumbing suggestions. His dedication to his craft and customer service is truly world-class.

We highly recommend requesting Alfredo if you’re considering Conejo Valley Heating and AC. We’ve permanently requested him as our go-to technician for any future needs. His work is simply outstanding, and we couldn’t be more satisfied with the service.
Jason D profile pictureJason D
19:01 13 Jun 24
A home inspection was done for the sale of our home and the inspector flagged our furnace as not having a furnace door switch and being a potential fire hazard. Parker arrived to open the furnace door to find that the switch had a piece of black tape over it to protect it, he removed said tape, job done. Unreal. Thanks Parker.
Cindy Gooden profile pictureCindy Gooden
22:09 04 Jun 24
Gave us an estimate and we decided to wait a few months before booking. I called when we were ready to book, but the person they directed us to never called us back!

We ended up choosing another local plumber who charged half what CVHAPR quoted us. I'm so glad we got a second opinion.
Amber Hauptman profile pictureAmber Hauptman
18:56 10 May 24
Parker was awesome! He was very informative and answered our million questions! Looking forward to working with him again soon! Thank you Parker!!!
How Long Do Tank Water Heaters Last?

It is essential to know the right time to replace a water heater before it causes inconvenience or springs leaks. Failing to get timely repairs raises the risk of leaks damaging your home. Typically, a tank water heater lasts 6 to 12 years. After 12 years, you’re on borrowed time.  

Beyond this period, various factors can affect the longevity of a tank water heater. Such factors include the type of water running, your yearly schedule to drain and flush the tank, and how much water you use.

Advantages of a Tank Water Heater

Although they are older technology, storage water heaters have some advantages over the newer models.

While tankless water heaters are a suitable option for many homes, they are not ideal for all of them. There are cases when sticking to the familiar options like traditional tank water heaters are better. Though using older technology, they offer some advantages over advanced models.

Disadvantages of a Tank Water Heater

Tankless

What is a Tankless Water Heater?

A tankless water heater is a newer option that can provide hot water when homeowners need it. Typically, tankless water heaters don’t have excess cost or outlay of standby operations like traditional storage water heaters.

Tankless heaters use gas or electricity to supply water via a pipe attached to the machine. With tankless water, there is no need to stock up hot water.

How do Tankless Water Heaters Work?

As described above, there is no need to store hot water in a tankless water heater, allowing you to save a lot of space. Note that a tankless water heater only starts heating up water when the faucet turns on.

Turning on the tap triggers the flow rate sensor to pass water through. This means it only heats up water on demand to save on energy. Speaking of which, you can run a tankless water heater with gas or electricity.

How Long Do Tankless Water Heaters Last?

A high-quality tankless water heater lasts twenty years, especially if you purchase one from a reliable manufacturer. 

Advantages of a Tankless Water Heater
Disadvantages of a Tankless Water Heater

How to Know When You Need a New Water Heater

Things to Consider When Buying a Water Heater

Regardless of your reason for purchasing a new water heater, you need to consider certain factors to reap its benefits in the long run. Here are some of them you should take into account:  

Capacity

A tank heater typically holds around 50 to 60 gallons of water. Considering a water heater’s capacity is essential because it often comes in different sizes. Plus, it depends on the number of people who use water in the house. The maximum water usage in the house is another important aspect you must consider when assessing capacity.

Many water heaters come with an hour rating system that calculates how many gallons a heater produces in an hour.

Type of Water Heater

You can choose from plenty of water heater types. However, make sure you choose a water heater that fits your usage needs. Some water heater types are:

Fuel Type

You can rely on different energy sources to run your water heater. These include solar, gas, geothermal, and electricity. Choose one that suits your needs the best. 

How Long Does it Take to Replace a Water Heater?

The average amount of time it takes to install a tank, whether electric or gas, takes no more than 2 to 3 hours. It may take 40 to 60 minutes to disconnect, drain, and remove the old water heater.

Which Water Heater is Right for You?

Though conventional water heaters have their benefits, they are less efficient than tankless heaters. Plus, they have higher operating and maintenance costs. Tankless water heaters may have higher installation costs, are more energy-efficient, and reduce heating costs significantly.

Average Cost of Water Heater Replacement

Depending on the choice, the average cost for replacing a water heater is between $1,000 and $35,000. The cost may also vary depending on the state you live in. Make sure you discuss the cost of water heater replacement with your plumbing professional before hiring them.

Choosing the Right Company to Install Your Water Heater

When you know about all the water heating systems, seek professional guidance to make an informed decision. Professionals like Conejo Valley Home Services Plumbing & Rooter excel at commercial and residential plumbing, drain lateral repairs and have a wealth of experience. 

The competent team of professionals serves realtors, homeowners, contractors, and property managers. Whether you want to repair gas piping, install water heaters, or fix leakage, Conejo Valley Home Services Plumbing & Rooter provides the best services.

Call us to learn more about Conejo Valley Home Services Plumbing & Rooter services.

Our innovative solution

  • Water Heaters
  • Drain Cleaning
  • Re-Pipe Specialists
  • Sewer Inspection

Why choose Conejo Valley Home Services Plumbing & Rooter?

  • Trusted, certified technicians
  • Emergency Repairs
  • Available 24/7
  • Exceptional Service Guarantee
  • Locally Owned and Operated
  • Licensed and Insured
  • Workmanship Parts Guaranteed
  • Courteous, Uniformed Professionals
  • Convenient Appointment Times

Why Choose Our
Plumbing & Rooter Services?

Free plumbing estimates

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Schedule a free estimate of your home’s plumbing system to spot or identify leaks, cracks, and hidden issues.
24/7 plumbing emergency service

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We stay connected to our clients 24/7. We value your time and offer help no matter when or where you need it.
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