Before You Buy A Tankless Water Heater

Is it time to replace your water heater? Maybe it’s time to invest in a tankless water heater.

The Size

The best tankless water heaters will pump out about 5 to 6 gallons of hot water per minute. That’s just about 300 gallons per hour, and you’ll never run out of hot water if you use it at this level. Compare that with a tank water heater with an 80 gallon tank. You’ll run out of hot water in about 15 minutes at this rate.

However, keep in mind that this is the maximum rate for a tankless water heater. Consider your peak water usage times; how many faucets, showers, washing machines, or dishwashers do you use at a time? If you exceed the 5 to 6 gallons of hot water per minute level, you may need to invest in more than one tankless water heater for your home.

The Flow

Tankless water heaters only work when a minimum flow of water is used. To ensure your tankless water heater will deliver hot water as demanded, you will have to determine the flow rate and temperature rise you’ll need. Make sure the unit you select will deliver. Be sure to consult with us about your needs before you finalize your purchase.

Gas Sizing

Be sure to consider the gas sizing requirements for the tankless water heater you are considering. Tankless water heaters utilize three to four times the BTUs of their conventional counterparts. Will your current gas line supply a sufficient flow? If not, your gas meter will have to be accommodated for the larger supply.

Clearances

Tankless water heaters also have different distance requirements between the heater unit and other parts of your home, including open windows, fresh air openings, tall bushes, gutters, pipework, eaves or overhangs, distance from the ground, and from a gas meter or electrical box. Be sure you have the space necessary to meet the requirements.

Venting

All indoor tankless gas water heaters must be vented to the outdoors. There are several different types of venting materials that are approved to be used based on the model of the unit and the manufacture of the unit. It’s also important that indoor locations have the shortest venting distance to the outdoors to avoid future problems.

Is a tankless water heater in your future?