Tankless Water Heater Buying Guide

When you open a hot water tap or start the dishwasher, tankless water heaters recognize the need for hot water and start the heating process. The unit then calculates the incoming water temperature and uses it to determine how much heat the burners or elements must produce to deliver water at the desired temperature. Once demand ceases, the tankless water heater shuts down and stops using energy, waiting until you need more hot water to start heating again. The end result is that you’re no longer limited to the amount of hot water available in your tank.

A tankless water heater can turn any water source into hot because it doesn’t limit you to the amount a storage tank heater can hold. Whether you're washing the dishes, laundering clothing and towels or drawing a hot bath — tankless water heater technology supplies the hot water your lifestyle demands.

Lower Energy Bills

Take advantage of up to 40% energy savings with a tankless water heater compared to a standard gas tank water heater*. These units have a highly efficient design because they only heat water when needed.

Longevity

Tankless water heaters typically last up to 20 years with proper maintenance, which is often twice as long as a typical tank-style unit. The expanded lifespan means you typically spend less money on repairs and replacements.

Space Savings

Traditional water heaters can take up to 16 square feet of valuable floor space. Many tankless water heaters are about the size of a carry-on suitcase, and you can install these units on the wall inside or outside your home, freeing up valuable storage space

Nothing beats a tankless water heater when you need hot water on demand. How to pick a tankless water heater that’s right for your home, however, requires a little forethought. That’s why determining what size tankless water heater you need is important. Water heaters that are too small typically don’t provide an adequate amount of hot water for your home’s needs, while too large a unit means unnecessary costs.

With that in mind, choose a tankless water heater that can easily handle peak hot water demand. For example, you want to select a unit that can deliver ample hot water for a running dishwasher, a leisurely shower and a load of laundry simultaneously. To do this, you need to know how much incoming water the tankless water heater needs to heat to take care of the demand. That’s where understanding the flow rate and desired temperature rise come in.

The flow rate measures the amount of water that flows from a fixture or appliance in gallons per minute (GPM). Likewise, temperature rise is the difference between the groundwater temperature and the desired hot-water output temperature. When it’s time to buy a tankless water heater, arm yourself with the flow rate and temperature rise, but also look at sizing charts and consider your overall budget to guide you in choosing the best unit to suit your needs.

Flow Rate (GPM)

To determine your hot-water needs, you need to figure out how many devices the water heater needs to support. To do this, list the total number of appliances or fixtures you typically use simultaneously during peak demand, such as washing dishes in the kitchen sink, doing a load of laundry and showering at the same time. Once you’ve decided how much on-demand hot water you need, add up each individual flow rate for the total flow rate.

Check the manufacturer’s manual for the fixture or appliance (shower head, dishwasher, washing machine, etc.) for the flow rate, or check for the GPM stamped directly on the item. You can also easily calculate the GPM of an appliance or fixture with a bucket and timer using the following formula: 60 divided by the number of seconds it takes to fill a 1-gallon container with water from the appliance or fixture.

Average GPM Usage for Common Appliances and Fixtures

Based on the chart above, the total flow rate for peak usage while using the shower, kitchen sink and a high-efficiency washing machine is 6.0 GPM.

Temperature Rise

Groundwater temperature varies throughout the country and can range from the mid-30s to the upper 70s, measured in Fahrenheit. North America is broken into three climate zones with average groundwater temperatures:

• Northern Zone: 37 degrees to 51 degrees
• Central Zone: 52 degrees to 61 degrees
• Southern Zone: 62 degrees to 77 degrees

Typical internal home water temperature ranges from 110 degrees to 120 degrees. To determine the temperature rise, subtract the incoming water temperature from the desired internal water temperature. For example, if the incoming water temperature is 57 degrees and your desired shower water temperature is 120 degrees, the temperature rise is 63 degrees.

Your Budget

Keep in mind that tankless water heaters are typically more expensive than their conventional counterparts. While traditional water heaters usually run between $500 and $2,000, tankless water heaters typically start at around $1,000 and go up from there. These units do, however, save you money over time in energy, maintenance and repair costs, so buying a tankless water heater may be the more economical option for many homes.

The cost of tankless water heater installation will depend on whether your home is already designed to support a tankless water heater or if your plumbing system will need to be upgraded. The average tankless water heater installation can range from $900 - $3,000.

There are a few different types of tankless water heaters available. Here’s an explanation of two common options so you can decide which is best for your needs.

Point of Use Water Heaters

Sometimes, an area of your home needs an extra boost of hot water. That's where a compact point of use tankless water heater can help. For example, if you have a hot tub that uses electric heat, a point-of-use water heater can be installed nearby. These small, tankless heaters are installed near a room or appliance that needs additional hot water. These units are also helpful for additions/expansions to an existing home, and can often be installed in a cabinet or other small space.

To save space, select units that install easily in cabinets and compact closets. You can also buy electric tank water heaters and tankless natural gas or propane water heaters that utilize point-of-use technology for added flexibility in installation and added convenience.

Good to Know

You can find point of use electric tank water heaters and point of use tankless gas water heaters.

Whole Home Tankless Water Heaters

There are a range of gas and electric tankless water heaters designed to deliver enough hot water for a household. 

Gas tankless water heaters range in sizes are available, from 140,000 BTU - 199,000 BTU, depending on the amount of hot water needed for a home or business. Whole home electric tankless tankless water heaters are available with a 240 volt, with kilowatt (kW) ranges of 14 - 32 kw. The higher the kilowatt, the more hot water can be delivered to a home or business. 

If you have basic plumbing and electrical knowledge, you can install the tankless water heater you select yourself. Start by choosing a location for the unit that’s near both a water inlet and an electrical or gas connection. Next, shut off the power and water supply to the area and disconnect your old water heater. Prep your new tankless water heater for installation per the manufacturer’s instructions, and install any new water lines necessary for operation. Double-check all the fittings to prevent leaks, then connect the unit to the power supply.

Next, install any ventilation required for the tankless water heater, and mount the unit in your desired location. Once secure, connect the water lines and turn the water and power back on. Now check to ensure the unit operates properly and make temperature adjustments as needed. Make sure to double-check all the lines and ventilation to ensure smooth operation. We recommend calling a professional installer to make sure the job is completed correctly.

While tankless water heaters you still need to perform a few basic tasks annually to ensure energy efficiency and safe operation. Here are some must-do preventative maintenance tasks.

• Cleaning the filter: Tankless water heaters have inlet filters that keep debris out of the unit, and these filters require regular cleaning. Removing any debris reduces risks of clogging and ensures water flows through your unit uninterrupted.
• Monitor water pressure: Monitor the water pressure regularly to ensure it stays in the optimum range noted in the manufacturer’s guidelines.
• Inspect ventilation systems: If you pick a tankless water heater that uses natural gas or propane for power, you should check the ventilation system annually. Look for obvious problems like obstructions, blockages and loose connections, and inspect closely for signs of damage or corrosion.
• Descaling the water heater: Gas tankless water heaters will build up scale in the heat exchanger if the water is not treated. It is important to descale a tankless water heater when the flow rate starts to drop.

When buying a tankless water heater, take into account the size of your house, the water-flow rate of your faucets, the temperature of the water before it heats up and how hot you want your water to be. With those calculations, a plumbing contractor can help you find the best tankless water heater for your home.