If you’re in the market for a new water heater, you may be wondering if a tankless model is right for you. Tankless heaters have many benefits, but there are some things to consider before making a purchase. This blog post will outline the key factors to think about when selecting a tankless water heater. By considering these factors, you can make an informed decision and select the best tankless water heater for your home.
Before you attempt to install a tankless hot water heater, you have to consider a few things. These factors will determine if your tankless heater is going to be a good fit for your home or not.
These are the factors that you should consider before purchasing a tankless water heater:
The size of your household determines how much hot water you use every day and how many showers each person takes in one day. This affects the amount of gallons per minute (GPM) needed from your hot water system. The standard shower head flow rate is 2.5 GPM, so water heaters that produce at least this much water are recommended. If you have a household with more than two people who take long showers everyday, then you might need water heaters with higher water flow rates.
You will need to know how many bathrooms your home has and the average shower length in order to estimate water usage for each person.
Insulation determines how much energy your water heater will use up to heat hot water. The less insulation used, the less energy it takes to deliver hot water which results in lower monthly costs on your utility bill. However, if there is no insulation around the tankless water heater’s heat exchanger, there is a possibility of corrosion building up because water can be very corrosive.
If water is left standing in the pipes of your water heater and you do not wait for it to get hot, then corrosion can build up and weaken the water heater’s heat exchanger over time. This leads to more frequent water heater replacements with tanks that have a longer life expectancy than their tankless counterparts. Not allowing water to stand in water heaters promotes corrosion on the water heater. Some newer tankless water heaters are built with a1n anti-corrosion coating which prolongs its lifespan, but most tankless water heaters will need replacement every 10-15 years compared to a traditional tank water heater which could last for 20+ years before needing a replaced water heater .
The energy factor (EF) rating measures water heater energy efficiency by taking into account the amount of water used and the recovery rate. A water heater with a higher EF rating is more efficient compared to one with a lower rating. This can affect your monthly water heating costs since water heaters that use less energy will cost less to run.
The average household uses 50-60 gallons of hot water daily , but if you are in an older home or one that has larger family members, then you might need water heaters that produce at least 60 gallons per minute (GPM). Generally, the water supply should be able to carry 1 GPM for every shower you plan on installing at home . Make sure to get enough information about how much water each person in your household uses in order to get water heaters that meet water supply requirements.
If you like reading, then you might want to consider getting water heaters with digital temperature gauges. This will help you track water temperature variations over time if there are any issues with your tankless water heater. Having an electronic display on the water heater is not very cost effective and they rarely show the actual water temperature like traditional tanks do . It is recommended that you use a separate thermometer instead of trusting what the water heater’s display tells you.
You must consider safety before purchasing a tankless water heater. If your home was built before 1960, then it might be more cost efficient for you to purchase a new system which has safety features up to code . It is more cost efficient to buy water heaters that have built-in safety features like an anti-scald device and a flame sensor since you will need water heater repair as often.
Tankless water heaters are generally preferred over traditional tanks because they do not contain water. This gives you unlimited hot water supply which eliminates low water pressure issues, water waste problems like running out of hot water before your shower is done, and potential leaks or drips from the tank . You can install several tankless water heaters at once if needed; however, it is recommended that you only use one per household unit for ease of maintenance .
Conclusion: To help you determine which tankless water heater is best for your home, we provide a list of the top 5 (in no particular order) that will get you started on your research. We hope this article has given you some valuable information to make an informed decision about what product may be right for your needs and budget. The team at All Star Plumbing & Restoration would like to thank all who read our blog post today!
Author Bio:- Laura Harnes
Laura is a marketing manager at All Star Plumbing & Restoration. With years of experience in the plumbing industry, she loves to create awareness about the causes, problems, and repair solutions of water damage and slab leak. She shares expert tips to lower utility bills and keep your AC, heater, and other appliances in optimum condition leading to longer lifespan.
Check all the recent articles and know everything about water damage repair, slab leak repair, tools to remove clogging, and HVAC appliances installation, maintenance, and repair.
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