Can you oversize a tankless water heater?

By Robert Flores / October 26, 2022

When it comes to tankless water heaters, size matters. If you install a unit that’s too small, you won’t have enough hot water to meet demand. On the other hand, an oversized unit will cost more to purchase and operate than necessary, negating one of the biggest benefits of tankless water heaters—energy efficiency! Feb 23, 2020

How many fixtures can a tankless water heater handle?

Whole-House Tankless Water Heater For example, a unit may sufficient capacity to handle two shower fixtures at one time, or a dishwasher, kitchen sink, and lavatory hot water faucet at one time. Sept 5, 2021

Can 2 people shower at the same time with a tankless water heater?

Tankless hot water heaters are a type of hot water heater that supply a continuous flow of hot water. Everyone in your family can shower back-to-back, and nobody has to shiver away in the cold. Jan 29, 2018

How much hot water does a 10 minute shower use?

25 gallons A standard showerhead flows at a rate of 2.5 gallons per minute . This means that a ten-minute shower only uses 25 gallons of water. A full bath can use up to 50 gallons of water . Using these numbers, a shower will use less water in most cases. Aug 16, 2021

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What size tankless water heater do I need for a family of 1?

Sizing Guide for Residential Tankless Water heater Household Occupants Usage Capacity Required (Measured in Gallon) Electric 1-2 people Regular/ Low 30 High 40-50 6 more rows

Can an electric tankless water heater run a whole house?

Both gas and electric water tankless heaters can function as whole-house solutions or as a smaller “point-of-use” system. Smaller single-use tankless water heaters heat water for just a single room, tap, or appliance. These larger and smaller systems essentially work in the same way.

Can I install a tankless water heater myself?

Learning how to install a tankless water heater is a difficult and sometimes dangerous process. We highly recommend having a professional handle this task. Follow all local plumbing and electrical codes when sourcing and installing parts for your new water heater. Local codes can vary.

What size of tankless water heater do I need?

For a home with 1 bathroom, we recommend 6-7 GPM; 2 bathrooms, 8 – 9 GPM; and 3+ bathrooms, 9-11 GPM. In our experience, smaller 4-5 GPM units are suitable for studio apartments and small one bathroom homes or other application specific needs.

Is a tankless water heater worth the extra cost?

According to the U.S. Dept. of Energy, a tankless water heater is more efficient and uses less energy than a conventional water heater, providing a $25 to $107 in annual savings. If your hot water use is low (less than 41 gallons per day), a tankless water heater will be 24% to 34% more efficient. Jun 4, 2021

Will a 40 gallon water heater fill a bathtub?

Determining if a water heater is large enough for a bathtub is actually pretty simple; the water heater tank should be about 2/3 the size of the bathtub. For example, if you have a 40 gallon water heater, it would be just large enough for a 60 gallon bathtub. Oct 6, 2011

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Can a tankless water heater fill a pool?

A tankless water heater can be used to heat a pool, although the type used for domestic hot water isn’t designed for this purpose. You may need to run it on a separate circuit from the main pool circulation system. There’s also a risk of damage from pool water chemicals.

What is the black hose trick?

The black hose trick is just one of many ways solar is used to help heat a pool. Often a coil of black plastic tubing is either laid out on a deck, a roof or a patio cover, or even buried in the pool decking. The sun heats the tubing and water flowing through it. The resulting warm water helps heat the pool.

Does putting black garbage bags heat pool?

Float Some Black Trash Bags One way of putting this concept into practice is to float large black trash bags (yes, trash bags) in your pool. The bags will absorb heat and transfer it to the pool water, warming it up, while also serving as a barrier that prevents warm water at the surface of the pool from evaporating.

Is it cheaper to heat a pool with gas or electric?

The Cost of a Gas Heater vs Electric Heater Electric swimming pool heaters differ quite a lot from gas in terms of costs. The units tend to be more expensive upfront and the cost of installation is a bit more because of their intricacies. However, electric is usually cheaper in the long run.

Can SharkBite fittings be used on a water heater?

SharkBite Water Heater Connector allows you to easily connect your Hot and Cold-Water Supply lines to your Water Heater. After applying pipe thread tape to the MIP nipples on your water heater, thread the FIP end of the Water Heater connector onto the tank and tighten with channel locks.

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How do I get hot water outside?

How do you drain a hot water heater with a garden hose?

Before you shut off the water, connect a garden hose to the drain valve and try and flush the water heater tank a bit while the water pressure is on. To do this, open the drain valve for a few seconds and then close it again. The pressure will blow out any sediment stuck in the valve and help the tank drain faster. May 3, 2022

Do tankless water heaters need special wiring?

You must utilize either a 120- or 240-volt circuit, wholly devoted to the heater. Both voltages require 8-gauge wire, and the section exposed to the area under the sink must be armored cable. If the manufacturer’s instructions call for a larger cable, the National Electrical Code says you must comply.

What amp service do I need for a tankless water heater?

A tankless electric water heater needs a 120-amp breaker. A gas water heater with a tank requires 30 amps, while a tankless gas water heater requires a 120-amp breaker. Oct 21, 2021

Does a tankless water heater need a dedicated circuit?

A tankless water heater will require a dedicated circuit as specified by the installation manual of the unit that has been selected. If you need additional space in the panel for the circuit breaker then a quad circuit breaker may be allowed as specified by the make and model of the panel.

Resources

What Size Tankless Water Heater Do I Need?


https://www.thespruce.com/tankless-water-heaters-1824903
https://www.erniesplumbingandsewer.com/never-take-another-cold-shower-get-a-tankless-water-heater
https://takecareoftexas.org/about-us/blog/shower-vs-bath-debate

What Size Tankless Water Heater Do I Need?

How Do Tankless Water Heaters Work?


https://www.homedepot.com/c/ah/how-to-install-a-tankless-gas-water-heater/9ba683603be9fa5395fab904246ec3f
https://www.fastwaterheater.com/water-heaters/articles/tankless-water-heater-buyers-guide/

Are Tankless Water Heaters Worth The Investment?


https://www.startribune.com/is-your-water-heater-too-small-for-your-bathtub/131206354/

Can a Tankless Water Heater Be Used to Heat a Pool?


https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-black-hose-trick-for-heating-a-swimming-pool
https://www.bobvila.com/slideshow/9-creative-ways-to-heat-your-pool-this-summer-580398
https://www.gpspoolstore.com/gas-heater-vs-electric-heater-which-is-right-for-you/
https://www.homedepot.com/p/SharkBite-3-4-in-Push-to-Connect-x-3-4-in-FIP-x-18-in-Braided-Stainless-Steel-Water-Heater-Connector-u3088flex18lf/202270647

https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-drain-a-water-heater-2719055
https://www.homedepot.com/c/ah/how-to-install-a-tankless-water-heater/9ba683603be9fa5395fab905d482f81
https://www.angi.com/articles/new-water-heater-requires-electrical-upgrade.htm
https://ask-the-electrician.com/installing-a-tankless-water-heater-circuit/electrical/

About the author

Robert Flores