Hi, I am just converting from oil to natural gas in my single family home. What type of natural gas water heater is best? Should I get a tankless? It would need to operate for heating, hot showers, dishwasher and washing machine.
Thanks.

Hey Joe, could you explain the line "it would need to operate for heating, hot showers, dishwasher and washing machine" What will the water heaters hot water be used for? Tankless is a big discussion with good pros on each side. Lot depends on the price and availability of fuel in your area. I just installed one so you know which side I am on. Pro- you don't use any fuel at all when you aren't drawing water. Not 40 gallons heated 24/7 to 120 degrees. Con- price. My unit is fairly large but It cost me $1200 plus a $250 vent for the wall and I am doing all my own work. Some tankless companies will not warranty their heater unless you use a technician from their list of installers, no DIY.

Yes the term " used for heating" do you mean heating the water or do you heat a boiler that heats radiators?

The disagreeent for tankless or not can go back and forth, if you search this site you will see where our experts have beat that to death already.

The tankless system is nothing new really, it was used and is still used in hot water pressure washers and steam cleaners, and have done so for 20 plus years, Part of the issues is that many of the regular plumbers are not used to it yet and also the fact that many homes do not have good volume and pressure for hot water intake and so home usage has caused more trouble than commercial applications.

If I was doing one for myself and money was not a issue, I would do the tankless.

I think I over copied Joe's statement. I just question the part about using it for heating. I guess you could try to heat a home with a tankless heater but don't think you can tie a room air thermostat into them. The way they are setup they heat the moment there is a flow in the hot water line. Maybe Joe is thinking along the lines of a combi boiler and just used the wrong term.