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Why Add a Tank to a Tankless Water Heater?

Instant water heaters save energy and offer endless hot water, but not without some problems. A small tank and a big pump can fix the flaws.

by Michael Chandler

Ever been hit by a sudden blast of cold water in the middle of your hot shower, or even just lost hot-water pressure altogether, because someone has decided to do the dishes at the same time you're cleaning up? If so, your house might be a candidate for a tankless, or demand, water heater. Builder and plumber Michael Chandler supplements a regular water heater with a tankless unit in every new house he builds to offset both the cold-water surprise and the drooping-pressure effect. Best of all, tankless water heaters are energy efficient because they don't heat water when it's not being used. This article includes a sidebar comparing details of tank and tankless water heaters.