Does a tankless water heater use gas or electricity?

By Robert Flores / October 27, 2022

Tankless: As their name implies, tankless, or on-demand water heaters, don’t store water in a tank. Instead they heat water as it passes through the unit, using a heat exchanger to rapidly bring it up to temperature. (They run on electricity, natural gas, or propane.) Jan 25, 2019

Should I replace my hot water heater with a tankless?

Using a tankless water heater can reduce these costs by up to 50 percent, for an average annual savings of $80. They are durable and less likely to fail, causing potentially catastrophic flooding in your home. Tankless units have an average lifespan about twice that of conventional water heaters — 20 years or more.

How big of a tankless water heater do I need for a family of 5?

In short, a family of 5 would need a 10 GPM gas tankless heater or 27 kW electric tankless heater if you live in the northern part of the USA, where the input water has a lower temperature. The tankless heater has to work extra hard to bring the water temperature up to 110?F or 120?F.

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Do you need a professional to install a tankless water heater?

Tankless water heater replacement is a complex process that involves the skills of a highly trained technician. Unless you are experienced and comfortable enough to solder pipe, make gas connections and following local codes, hire a licensed professional.

What is the most efficient type of water heater?

Heat pump and solar water heaters are overall the most energy-efficient types while condensing gas water heaters are the most energy-saving gas-fueled appliances. Mar 30, 2022

Which type of water heater is best?

Since heat pump water heaters draw their heat from the surrounding air instead of working to generate it, they are much more energy efficient. In fact, they can be two to three times as efficient as a standard storage tank water heater. Oct 27, 2021

What is the most efficient tankless water heater?

First up is the EcoSmart ECO 27 tankless water heater. It makes the top of our list for its competitive price tag and 92,128 BTUs of heating capacity at 99% efficiency. EcoSmart is a trusted name for pool heaters, so they know how to heat water. Oct 17, 2022

Do tankless water heaters use a lot of electricity?

The EPA estimates that a tankless water heater uses up to 34% less energy than a storage tank water heater if you use 41 gallons or less of hot water daily.

Can my breaker panel handle a tankless water heater?

Do not use the same calculated amperage as your final size breaker for tankless water heater. Otherwise, you’ll risk accidents because there’ll be no protection for a power surge. The National Electric Code (NEC) states that a circuit breaker should only handle 80% or less of its total capacity. Oct 3, 2022

What is the most common problems with tankless water heaters?

Here are six of the most common problems and maintenance concerns for tankless water heaters: Mineral Buildup. System Overload. Cold Water Sandwich. Air Supply or Exhaust Blockage. Ignition Failure. Flame Failure. Mar 9, 2022

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What’s the lifespan of a tankless water heater?

Longer Product Life Some people hesitate to decide on a tankless water heater because they can be a slightly higher cost; however, you get significantly more life out of one. A standard water heater tank lasts about 8-12 years. A tankless water heater can last as long as 25 years!

What’s the cheapest way to heat water?

Usually natural gas is the cheapest way to heat water, followed by electricity, with propane being the most expensive.

Do tankless water heaters increase electric bill?

Tankless heaters can be 8-14% more energy-efficient for households that use around 86 gallons daily. Installing a tankless heater at each hot water outlet, Energy.gov says, can increase tankless water heater energy savings by up to 27-50%. Oct 6, 2016

Where should tankless water heaters be installed?

As long as enough combustion air is provided, tankless water heaters can be installed in place of your old water heater or anywhere in your home. This includes utility rooms, garages, basements, attics, or mounted on outside walls. They can even be installed in locations where a storage water heater wouldn’t fit.

Which is better 40 or 50 gallon water heater?

Typically, the rule-of-thumb is that you want a 40 gallon tank for 1 to 4 people, a 50 gallon tank for 4 to 6 people, and a 50 gallon high recovery or 75 gallon tank for 6 to 8 people. Energy consumption for 40 and 50 gallon standard water heaters is quite comparable. Nov 19, 2015

What size water heater do I need for a family of 3?

For example, a family of 3 to 4 people should purchase a 50 – 60 gallon water heater. On the other hand, a household with 5 – 7 people may require a water heater with a 60 – 80 gallon water tank. Jun 8, 2020

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Can a tankless water heater leak?

A tankless water heater can develop leaks inside the heat exchanger. When this happens, the escaping water will put the system in danger of corrosion. A corroded water heater almost always needs to be replaced. May 7, 2018

How can I make my tankless water heater quieter?

How To Reduce Noise From A Tankless Water Heater (12-Step Guide) Check The Blower Fan For Insects And Lizards. Check The Blower Fan For Proper Balancing. Check The Pressure Relief Valve If There Is A Tea Kettle Sound. Install Anti-Vibration Mounts. Soundproof The Area Around The Tankless Water Heater. More items…

Why is my tankless water heater banging?

The most common cause of knocking or banging noise is sediment buildup. Flushing your system regularly is important, especially in areas with hard water. (For a guide, check out the related link above.) Sediment reduces the efficiency and life expectancy of the water heater on top of causing an unpleasant sound. Feb 24, 2022

Why does my tankless water heater moan?

Groaning. This is often an indication that there’s excess pressure in the lines or across the tank itself. Groening is often an indication of sediment building up inside the water heater. Sept 28, 2020

Resources

https://www.consumerreports.org/water-heaters/tankless-water-heaters-vs-storage-tank-water-heaters-a5291982593/
https://www.ahs.com/home-matters/repair-maintenance/installing-tankless-water-heater/

What Size Tankless Water Heater Do I Need? (2,3,4,5,6 Family)


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

What Type of Water Heater Is Most Energy Efficient?


https://www.bobvila.com/articles/types-of-water-heaters/
https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/plumbing/best-tankless-water-heaters/

Which Saves More Energy: Tank or Tankless Water Heaters

What Size Breaker for Electric Tankless Water Heater?


https://www.eccotemp.com/blog/6-common-tankless-water-heater-problems-and-how-to-solve-them/index.php

The Pros and Cons of a Tankless Water Heater


https://todayshomeowner.com/what-is-the-cheapest-way-to-heat-water-for-your-home/

Tankless vs. Traditional Water Heaters | Which is More Energy Efficient?


https://www.homedepot.com/services/c/tankless-water-heater-installation/c88b47f07

Buying a Hot Water Heater? Here’s What You Should Consider

Sizing Guide: What Size Water Heater Do I Need for My Home?


https://www.mallickplumbing.com/blog/2018/may/how-a-tankless-water-heater-may-malfunction/

How To Reduce Noise From A Tankless Water Heater (12-Step Guide)


https://www.homeserve.com/en-us/blog/home-improvement/tankless-water-heater-banging/

Why Is My Water Heater Making Weird Noises?

About the author

Robert Flores