Have You Considered Going Tankless?

Sabeena Bubber • October 1, 2015

If you are looking for ways to be more responsible with energy costs around your home (and save a little money in the process), considering a tankless water heater is probably already on your radar. But is it really worth it? There are certainly a lot of factors that will go into your decision about equipping your house with one of these units! Here are a couple things you should consider!

What are you trying to accomplish by going tankless?



The most common reasons people choose a tankless water heater are:


1. Not to have to wait for hot water.

2. Not to have the hot water run out.

3. To save space by not having a huge tank.

4. More environmentally responsible.

5. To save money long term on heating costs compared to a hot water tank.


However, before rushing into buying a tankless water heater, you should ask yourself?


1. How long am I currently waiting for hot water?

2. Am I currently running out of hot water on a regular basis?

3. Is saving space a concern for me?

4. How efficient is my current water heater? Obviously going tankless will be more efficient, but just how much more? There is a good chance your current unit is performing at a level that isn’t horrible.

5. How much money will I save yearly with a tankless heater compared to a hot water tank? Make sure you understand how long it will take to recover the added upfront costs of going tankless through the long term money savings on your energy bill! If it’s going to take you 75 years to recoup your money, is it really worth it?


Just as each house is different and has unique needs, so is each person and family. There is certainly no cut and dry, right or wrong answer when it comes to Tank vs Tankless. The best you can do is evaluate your needs and make an informed decision!


TRANSCRIPT

Water heating can account for 25 per cent of the energy bill for many Canadian homes – especially those with large families that use lots of hot water. Hot water usage can be reduced by installing low-flow shower heads, faucet aerators, insulating pipes, and water efficient appliances.


You may also be able to reduce your water heating bill by installing an “on-demand” or “instantaneous” water heater. These compact water heaters use high inputs of gas or electricity to instantly heat water as it is needed. As high-efficiency tankless water heaters don’t have to keep large volumes of water heated 24 hours a day, studies have shown that they can reduce energy consumption for water heating by 40 per cent.


Tankless water heaters can be hung on a wall and require little floor space making them attractive for smaller homes. But they need to be properly located, sized and installed to meet your household’s needs. For instance, gas-fired instantaneous water tanks may need different venting arrangements and perhaps larger gas pipes to deliver higher gas flows to the heater.

  • Keep in mind that the energy savings from an instantaneous water heater can literally go down the drain if their “endless” hot water capabilities just mean longer showers by household members.


Whatever system you choose, it’s always a good idea to know the costs and potential savings so you can make an informed decision. Ask a qualified contractor to assess your hot water needs and recommend a water heating system that will meet them as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible. To learn more about tankless water heaters, or for more information on sustainable features for your home, visit cmhc.ca.


SHARE THIS ARTICLE

RECENT POSTS

Why The Subject Property Matters

By Sabeena Bubber • July 23, 2025
When looking to qualify for a mortgage, typically, a lender will want to review four areas of your mortgage application: income, credit, downpayment/equity and the property itself. Assuming you have a great job, excellent credit, and sufficient money in the bank to qualify for a mortgage, if the property you’re looking to purchase isn’t in good condition, if you don't have a plan, you might get some pushback from the lender. The property matters to the lender because they hold it as collateral if you default on your mortgage. As such, you can expect that a lender will make every effort to ensure that any property they finance is in good repair. Because in the rare case that you happen to default on your mortgage, they want to know that if they have to repossess, they can sell the property quickly and recoup their money. So when assessing the property as part of any mortgage transaction, an appraisal is always required to establish value. If your mortgage requires default mortgage insurance through CMHC, Sagen (formerly Genworth), or Canada Guaranty, they’ll likely use an automated system to appraise the property where the assessment happens online. A physical appraisal is required for conventional mortgage applications, which means an appraiser will assess the property on-site. So why is this important to know? Well, because even if you have a great job, excellent credit, and money in the bank, you shouldn’t assume that you’ll be guaranteed mortgage financing. A preapproval can only take you so far. Once the mortgage process has started, the lender will always assess the property you’re looking to purchase. Understanding this ahead of time prevents misunderstandings and will bring clarity to the mortgage process. Practically applied, if you’re attempting to buy a property in a hot housing market and you go in with an offer without a condition of financing, once the appraisal is complete, if the lender isn’t satisfied with the state or value of the property, you could lose your deposit. Now, what happens if you’d like to purchase a property that isn’t in the best condition? Being proactive includes knowing that there is a purchase plus improvements program that can allow you to buy a property and include some of the cost of the renovations in the mortgage. It’s not as simple as just increasing the mortgage amount and then getting the work done, there’s a process to follow, but it’s very doable. So if you have any questions about financing your next property or potentially using a purchase plus improvements to buy a property that needs a little work, please connect anytime. It would be a pleasure to walk you through the process.

Parental Leave

By Sabeena Bubber • July 16, 2025
Chances are if the title of this article piqued your interest enough to get you here, your family is probably growing. Congratulations! If you’ve thought now is the time to find a new property to accommodate your growing family, but you’re unsure how your parental leave will impact your ability to get a mortgage, you’ve come to the right place! Here’s how it works. When you work with an independent mortgage professional, it won’t be a problem to qualify your income on a mortgage application while on parental leave, as long as you have documentation proving that you have guaranteed employment when you return to work. A word of caution, if you walk into your local bank to look for a mortgage and you disclose that you’re currently collecting parental leave, there’s a chance they’ll only allow you to use that income to qualify. This reduction in income isn’t ideal because at 55% of your previous income up to $595/week, you won’t be eligible to borrow as much, limiting your options. The advantage of working with an independent mortgage professional is choice. You have a choice between lenders and mortgage products, including lenders who use 100% of your return-to-work income. To qualify, you’ll need an employment letter from your current employer that states the following: Your employer’s name preferably on the company letterhead Your position Your initial start date to ensure you’ve passed any probationary period Your scheduled return to work date Your guaranteed salary For a lender to feel confident about your ability to cover your mortgage payments, they want to see that you have a position waiting for you once your parental leave is over. You might also be required to provide a history of your income for the past couple of years, but that is typical of mortgage financing. Whether you intend to return to work after your parental leave is over or not, once the mortgage is in place, what you decide to do is entirely up to you. Mortgage qualification requires only that you have a position waiting for you. If you have any questions about this or anything else mortgage-related, please connect anytime. It would be a pleasure to work with you.

Buying a Vacation Home? Here’s What You Need to Know

By Sabeena Bubber • July 15, 2025
The idea of owning a vacation home—your own cozy escape from everyday life—is a dream many Canadians share. Whether it’s a lakeside cabin, a ski chalet, or a beachside bungalow, a second property can add lifestyle value, rental income, and long-term wealth. But before you jump into vacation home ownership, it’s important to think through the details—both financial and practical. Start With Your 5- and 10-Year Plan Before you get swept away by the perfect view or your dream destination, take a step back and ask yourself: Will you use it enough to justify the cost? Are there other financial goals that take priority right now? What’s the opportunity cost of tying up your money in a second home? Owning a vacation home can be incredibly rewarding, but it should fit comfortably within your long-term financial goals—not compete with them. Financing a Vacation Property: What to Consider If you don’t plan to pay cash, then financing your vacation home will be your next major step. Mortgage rules for second properties are more complex than those for your primary residence, so here’s what to think about: 1. Do You Have Enough for a Down Payment? Depending on the type of property and how you plan to use it, down payment requirements typically range from 5% to 20%+ . Factors like whether the property is winterized, the purchase price, and its location all come into play. 2. Can You Afford the Additional Debt? Lenders will calculate your Gross Debt Service (GDS) and Total Debt Service (TDS) ratios to assess whether you can take on a second mortgage. GDS: Should not exceed 39% of your income TDS: Should not exceed 44% If you’re not sure how to calculate these, that’s where I can help! 3. Is the Property Mortgage-Eligible? Remote or non-winterized properties, or those located outside of Canada, may not qualify for traditional mortgage financing. In these cases, we may need to look at creative lending solutions . 4. Owner-Occupied or Investment Property? Whether you’ll live in the home occasionally, rent it out, or use it strictly as an investment affects what type of financing you’ll need and what your tax implications might be. Location, Location… Logistics Choosing the right vacation property is more than just finding a beautiful setting. Consider: Current and future development in the area Available municipal services (sewer, water, road maintenance) Transportation access – how easy is it to get to your vacation home in all seasons? Resale value and long-term potential Seasonal access or weather challenges What Happens When You’re Not There? Unless you plan to live there full-time, you'll need to consider: Will you rent it out for extra income? Will you hire a property manager or rely on family/friends? What’s required to maintain valid home insurance while it’s vacant? Planning ahead will protect your investment and give you peace of mind while you’re away. Not Sure Where to Start? I’ve Got You Covered. Buying a vacation home is exciting—but it can also be complicated. As a mortgage broker, I can help you: Understand your financial readiness Calculate your GDS/TDS ratios Review down payment and lending requirements Explore creative solutions like second mortgages , reverse mortgages , or alternative lenders Whether you’re just starting to dream or ready to take action, let’s build a plan that gets you one step closer to your ideal getaway. Reach out today—it would be a pleasure to work with you.

LET'S TALK

SABEENA BUBBER

MORTGAGE BROKER | AMP

Contact Us