If you are weighing a new water heater for your Winnipeg home, the biggest decision is usually between a traditional storage tank and an on-demand tankless system. The difference comes down to one thing: how much energy you waste. Learn more about the units we install on our Rinnai tankless water heaters page.

The big difference: you only pay for what you use

A traditional storage tank keeps 150 to 230 litres (40 to 60 gallons) of water hot 24 hours a day, reheating it around the clock – even when no one is home and no one needs hot water. That constant reheating is wasted energy, known as standby loss. A tankless water heater works the opposite way: it heats water only when you turn on a tap. In other words, you pay only for the hot water you actually use. For most households, that is the single most important reason to switch.

Efficiency: up to 98% versus about 49%

The numbers make the gap clear. A modern Rinnai condensing tankless water heater can operate at up to 98% efficiency, meaning almost all of the energy it burns goes directly into heating your water. A typical older storage tank, by contrast, often runs at around 49% efficiency – nearly half of the energy is lost keeping water hot that you may never use. Over the long Manitoba heating season, that difference adds up on every utility bill.

Why it matters in Winnipeg

Our incoming groundwater is very cold, especially in winter, so a water heater here works harder than in milder climates. Cutting standby loss with a properly sized tankless unit makes an even bigger difference in our conditions. You also get endless hot water (the unit never runs out mid-shower), a compact wall-mounted design that frees up basement space, and a typical lifespan of 20 years or more – about twice that of a conventional tank.

Is it worth switching?

A tankless system costs more upfront than a basic tank, but for most Winnipeg homeowners the lower operating cost, longer lifespan, space savings, and endless hot water more than make up for it – especially when you are replacing an aging tank that is due anyway. Our technicians size and install the right Rinnai model for your household’s demand and our cold incoming water.

Frequently asked questions

How much more efficient is a tankless water heater than a tank?

A modern Rinnai tankless heater can be up to 98% efficient, compared with roughly 49% for a typical older storage tank. Because a tankless heats water only on demand, far less energy is wasted.

Do I really only pay for the hot water I use?

Yes. A storage tank reheats its full volume around the clock, even when you are away; a tankless fires only when you open a tap, so there is no standby energy loss.

How long does a tankless water heater last?

With annual maintenance, a Rinnai tankless unit commonly lasts 20 years or more – about twice the life of a conventional tank.

Ready to upgrade? See our tankless water heater options or contact us for a free quote. Call +1 (204) 894-6403.