If you're considering tankless, get a price for the complete installation at your house. The heater's price won't tell you whether the gas line, venting or electrical connection also needs work.
This comparison focuses on gas water heaters. Electric tankless equipment has different electrical requirements.
Replacing a gas tank with another in the same location and converting to gas tankless are different jobs. Ask each plumber to list what stays and what changes. Include removal, permits, connections and any work outside the heater itself.
That gives you two actual offers to compare. A national average can't account for the connections and access at your house.
A tankless heater heats water as you use it. Its output depends on how much water is flowing and how much the heater needs to raise the temperature.
Tell the plumber what might run at the same time, such as two showers. Ask how the selected model handles that demand with the incoming water temperatures used for the calculation. The installer also needs to check that the gas supply can serve the proposed equipment alongside other gas appliances.
The Department of Energy says demand water heaters can be 24 to 34 percent more energy efficient than conventional storage heaters in homes using 41 gallons or less of hot water a day. That doesn't mean your whole gas bill falls by that amount.
Use the proposed models and your household's hot water use when discussing operating costs. Include maintenance, too. A lower energy estimate doesn't account for every cost of owning the equipment.
TMWA publishes water quality information by service area. Hardness varies, so check the information for your address rather than assuming all Reno water is the same.
For tankless equipment, ask what the manufacturer requires for flushing and other maintenance, given your water. Get the service cost separately from the installation quote.
Gas equipment also has model specific elevation requirements. Ask the installer to confirm that the selected heater is suitable and will be configured for your property's elevation.
Manufacturer lifespan estimates aren't replacement deadlines. Look at the actual equipment warranty, the installer's labor coverage and the maintenance each requires.
Check any incentive directly with the program before including it in your budget. For the installation items both quotes should cover, use the water heater quote guide.