Tankless Water Heaters Buying Guide

Knowing what to be on the lookout for as far as features are concerned can make the difference between a purchase that's worth making and a total blunder on your part. Here are some features that make truly worthwhile tankless water heaters all they can be.

1. Gallons Per Minute Flow Rate

Having an adequate hot water delivery rate makes all the difference in the world if you're trying to enjoy a hot shower or bath. A delivery rate of 5-10 GPM is adequate and provides more than enough hot water for showers and baths. As a matter of fact, the 5-10 GPM water delivery standard gives you enough leeway to keep the hot water on continuously with no breaks for as long as you want.

That means baths that seem to never end and showers that are fit for a king. And when considering outdoor options, look for at least 1 gallon per minute flow rate to give you the hot water you need for an outdoor shower.

2. Light Weight And Easy Portability

Being able to travel with your tankless water heater can make trips to your favorite cabin, barn, or outdoor building something that you actually look forward to. Also, being able to travel with your tankless water heater increases its usefulness and value. With more places to use it and the ability to hook it up nearly anywhere, you'll be sure to get your moneys worth.

3. Outdoor Compatibility

Sometimes the only ability to take a hot shower is through the use of a portable tankless water heater. It's always a great thing, when in the great outdoors, to have an outside portable unit their to supply you with the hot water you need. You should keep in mind, however, that a portable unit designed for the outdoors will have a much lower GPM than an indoor designed model. Also, outdoor versions aren't appropriate for indoor use.

4. Energy Efficiency

In order to save you money on your monthly bills, the tankless water heater you consider purchasing should be rated to be highly energy efficient. This ensures that you can recoup the cost of owning one through what you save over running a traditional water heater every month. You'll be surprised by how fast the cost savings add up.

5. Warranty, Amazon Review Score, and Manufacturer

Getting a good warranty for your tankless water heater, at least 1 year to be safe, is the safest investment you can make. Also, be sure that the tankless water heater you're considering has a good Amazon review score tagged to it. Look for at least 4 stars on any product you're considering.

Lastly, the manufacturer of your product has a lot to do with how long it's going to last. Some good producers of tankless water heaters these days are Ecosmart, Bosch, Rinnai, Rheem, and Stiebel Eltron.

How to Choose a Tankless Water Heater

A tankless water heater promises energy efficient and money-saving values. This appliance is very popular for its many advantages although the price is still quite high. You will have to consider many things before purchasing any product to avoid disappointment. Here is a list of tips on how to choose a tankless water heater.

1. Power Source

In terms of power source, a tankless water heater is available in two variants including gas and electric. Both types use the same heating mechanism, but require different installation procedures. With the electric type, you will need to carefully pay attention to product specifications including voltage, amperage, and the availability of circuit breaker. It is essential that you purchase only an electric water heater that complements the existing electricity installation.

Another variant is gas-powered tankless water heater. If you do not have any reliable knowledge about gas lines and electricity, you should hire a professional to install this appliance in your house. Both types are equally excellent in performance. Read the article for details.

2. Types

Based on size and functions, there are 3 different types available which are single point, multi point, and whole house. The least expensive is a single point type, which will work to its full potential in supplying hot water for an appliance only for example shower. The multi point tankless water heater may supply sufficient amount of water for two or more appliances in the house. It is more expensive compared to the single point type.

The largest one is whole house type. If you install this model, you are not likely to need any additional water heater appliance. The power and capacity should provide hot water for all appliances in the house.

3. Size

To decide the proper size of a tankless water heater to use, you must calculate the average flow rate of your existing appliances. Of course, it is only useful if you frequently use two or more appliances at the same time. Flow rate is the amount of water that flows or comes out from the pipes at a given time (usually minute).

A regular size of tankless water heater can provide 5 to 7 gallons per minute. Your water heater should provide adequate supply when the connected appliances are used together.

Please put in mind that the temperature of the incoming water is probably higher compared to the desired temperature. Normally, a tankless water heater allows to you to adjust the heat. You should only purchase a unit that complements your need.

4. Brand

Some popular brands include Rinnai, Stiebel Eltron, Navien, and Noritz. Rinnai offers a wide variety including luxury series and value series, while Stiebel Eltron brings forward ease-of-use feature.

Navien has the products for both indoor and outdoor installations as well as commercial and residential units. Noritz delivers various sizes of tankless water heaters for residential use.

5. Price

The price varies depending on size and features. In general, the price is relatively expensive compared to tank water heater, but the tankless variants have better durability aspects and long term efficiency values.

Conclusion

You should indeed consider various essential issues concerning tankless water heater. If you need to greatly improve the energy-efficient aspect, you must calculate water flow rate and average temperature also. Fortunately, there are many different products with good specifications available in the market. If you put the mentioned tips on how to choose a tankless water heater mentioned above into account, it should easy to determine a specific product that complements your need.

5 Benefits of a Tankless Water Heater

A small change in the house may really play a major role in your energy-saving endeavor. Even a water heater appliance greatly affects your overall monthly electricity bill. For more efficiency, it is probably necessary to replace your old tank water heater with its tankless counterpart. Some of the best tankless water heater benefits are listed below.

1. Space-saving

A regular size of tank water heater is about 4 times bigger than the tankless type. If you need to spare some spaces in a garage or closet, installing electric tankless water heater is a good way to do so. As the name suggests, this appliance does not use any type of tank.

It is an electric appliance that is capable of providing simultaneous supply of hot water anytime you need it. You can install it discretely inside a closet, a garage, and other possible locations.

2. Save Money

You should always consider purchasing a tankless water heater as a form of investment. The price of a unit can be relatively expensive, but it does not use a great amount of electric power to operate, so the monthly electricity bill can be significantly reduced.

Furthermore, among all tankless water heater benefits, its durability factor is the best. You will not need to replace it for roughly 20 years. With the conventional type, you may need to purchase new unit for every 10 years or less.

3. Save Energy

A conventional water heater will heat up 50 – 200 gallons of water in the tank. The appliance will continuously maintain the temperature level at approximately 120 degrees. This process requires an adequate source of energy thus absorbing electric or gas power. Even when you are not using the hot water, heating up process is always running.

A tankless water heater operates only when you turn it on. When you stop it, the appliance does not use any power. In fact, it provides around 5 to 7 gallons per minute.

4. Less Rust

There are two more tankless water heater benefits especially concerning existence of rust and supply of soft water. When hot water is continuously stored in a tank, rust is likely to exist. Water is not very friendly toward metal materials. Without regular maintenance, the tank may be filled an accumulation of lead. With the existence of lead, water is possibly polluted. Excessive consumption of polluted water may trigger major diseases.

With a tankless water heater, this problem is never an issue. The appliance will always provide soft water which is safe to consume and use for various purposes.

5. Unlimited hot water supply

Instead of storing hot water in a tank, a tankless water heater simply redirects the flow of water to travel through heating elements. It heats up the water relatively quickly in a rate of 5 to 7 gallons per minute. A larger appliance should supply a greater amount, so it provides theoretically unlimited hot water supply.

Conclusion

Once the appliance is properly installed, you can directly take advantage of all tankless water heater benefits. It actually covers every important thing in your attempt to live a more efficient life. If saves energy and money, while it is also healthier and more durable. Moreover, it provides a more reliable or almost unlimited hot water supply in your household anytime.

What Is a Tankless Water Heater?

A tankless water heater provides hot water only when you need it. The appliance does not need to heat a considerable amount of water then store it in a tank. It eliminates the unnecessary use of electricity thus reducing your overall monthly bill.

How does a tankless water heater work?

A conventional water heater commonly heats up a predetermined amount of water and stores it in the attached tank. A storage compartment, such as a tank, has a fixed capacity which may not provide an adequate supply of hot water when you need it.

In such case, you will need to turn on the appliance again and wait until the entire heating-up processes are done. The conventional type also uses a considerable amount of energy. If you need a great supply of hot water very often, this old-fashioned appliance is not a money-saving one.

Tankless water heater is simply the opposite of the conventional type. It does not need a tank, but it is able to supply hot water as easy as it can provide cold water. When you turn it on, cold water travels through a heating element which is powered by either gas or electric energy.

Theoretically, it provides a limitless amount of hot water almost anytime. At normal condition, a large tankless water heater delivers 7.6 – 15.2 liters (2 – 5 gallons) per minute. The smaller appliance may not supply a sufficient amount, but you can install two or more heaters in some places. There is also a whole-house type which will basically provide hot water for almost all water-related appliances in the house.

Energy Source

Tankless water heater is divided into two categories based on power source, which are gas and electric. Both basically use the same heating mechanism.

1. Electric tankless water heater

Electric tankless water heater is easy to install and is available in various sizes (for exampleEccotemp L5). The most important things to consider when purchasing the electric type are voltage, amperage, and circuit breaker. There are some different voltage specifications including 277V, 240V, 220V, 208V, 120V, and 110V.

You should also pay attention to the amp draw of the unit. Please only purchase a unit that is compatible with your overall electrical installation. If you cannot support the amp draw of the water heater, your electrical installation may fail to supply other electronic devices in your house.

Electric tankless water heater is actually easy to install, but you should consult an electrician to make sure that everything will run properly.

2. Gas tankless water heater

Gas tankless water heater is very difficult to install. It is recommended that you hire a professional to handle the entire installation procedures.

There are many things to adjust such as gas line, venting accessories, and electric connections. In other words, everything needs to be properly configured in order to prevent gas leak.

Conclusion

Tankless water heater is energy-efficient appliance yet it can supply literally limitless amount of hot water almost anytime. It is powered by either gas or electric, so it needs to be properly installed. The price of a tank water heater can be less expensive compared to its tankless counterpart, but tankless is more efficient in the long run.