Water heaters for single family rentals

[James Ross]

Hello! My wife and I are renovating our house in order to eventually rent it out. The water heater's bed pan is rusting through and the water heater needs replacing. We live in Colorado Springs which has fairly hard water. 

Currently we have a 50 gallon gas heater. We're considering whether to get another 50 gallon or going to a 40 gallon or possibly a tankless water heater. Does anyone have any suggestions on water heaters for future rentals? Especially with hard water.

Thank you!

[Mark Andrews]

Hello,

I'm a plumber from Mesa AZ,

Go to your favorite big box store, get a new pan, get the exact same size heater 50 gal, height and width and plug and play. Then change it every 8 to 10 years. (if you're really sharp, get new supply lines and new water valve, your then really safe)   

Don't go with tankless, up front costs are WAY to high. You can go with 40 gal, small cost savings not enough to make a difference, stay at 50 gal  

Good luck