Tankless hot water heater guide

With a tankless hot water heater, the thought of an instant supply of hot water is usually the first thing that comes to mind. 

With that said, the energy savings potential of never reheating stored water again shouldn't go unnoticed.

The energy waste that occurs in storage tank units is referred to as standby heat loss, and on average it accounts for 20% of your total water heating costs.

It's the technology of instant hot water heaters that allows for both an on demand supply and potential savings.

Instant hot water heater and expectations

Keep in mind that with an instant water heater you and your family will have an endless supply of hot water. If energy savings is your main objective, be advised that a substantial increase in use will only offset the potential savings.

But if you ever had to wait in line for your morning shower, only to discover that all of the hot water has already been used, then a tankless hot water heater maybe that much more desirable.

With tankless hot water heaters and service it's all about flow rate. The best units can adequately service up to two major appliances at once, such as a dishwasher and a washing machine or service up to two hot showers at the same time.

Fuel Types

Making the choice between an electric tankless water heater and a propane or tankless gas water heater is one of the first decisions to make. It's important to note that certain requirements are needed to accomadate each fuel type. 

Flexible application

Tankless hot water heaters are very versatile. They can be applied in different ways to better serve your hot water needs.

If you're looking to supply one or two closely located fixtures (such as a washing machine or two adjacent sinks) or if your looking for an energy efficient back up for a solar hot water heater, then a point of use water heater may be ideal. If you're looking to supply an entire home or a large extension to your living quarters, then a whole house tankless water heater would be ideal.

Determining unit size and type

In order to select the best tankless water heater for your home there are other very important considerations to make, such as the number of major hot water fixtures to be serviced and their flow rates. These important factors must be seriously considered.

Other benefits

Durability

On average a conventional residential hot water heater can last anywhere from 10 to 15 years, but tankless hot water heaters can last up to 30 years. They also require less upkeep than conventional storage tank units.

And down the road if repairs are needed, tankless units are much easier for professionals to access. Replacement parts are also widely available.

So you won't have to replace the entire unit (as is done with most storage tank units) when long term wear and tear eventually develops.

Overall Size

An instant hot water heater is about the size of a suitcase. And most can be mounted on walls and installed closer to several important hot water consuming fixtures if needed.

Instant water heaters can fit in relatively small areas, some units can even be installed outdoors. So say goodbye to that bulky, space taking storage tank.

More on tankless hot water heaters

• How instant hot water heaters work
• Whole house tankless water heaters
• Point of use water heaters
• Gas tankless water heater
• Electric tankless water heater
• How to find the best tankless water heater
• Sizing tankless water heaters correctly
• A detailed overview of the tankless water heater tax credit