How do you winterize a tankless hot water heater?

By Robert Flores / October 27, 2022

How to Winterize Tankless Water Heaters. First, the heater should be turned off and the power cord unplugged. The gas and water supply lines should then be shut and the tank drained. When the water pressure reduces, the inlet and outlet water pipes should be disconnected. Nov 25, 2015

What happens if tankless water heater freezes?

Water heaters can fall prey to his icy wrath too if proper precautions are not taken. Freeze damage to tankless water heaters usually takes the form of standing water inside the unit turning into ice, expanding and damaging the internal components. Feb 9, 2017

How long do tankless water heaters last?

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!

Why do tankless water heaters burst?

An Explosion Caused by Gas Leaks Gas tankless water heaters can cause a catastrophic explosion if there is a gas leak around the gas valve or gas piping. When a gas tankless water heater begins to leak, an electrical spark from any nearby source might be enough to cause an explosion. Dec 28, 2020

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Which is better tank or tankless water heater?

According to Energy.gov, “For homes that use 41 gallons or less of hot water daily, demand (or tankless) water heaters can be 24% to 34% more energy efficient than conventional storage tank water heaters.” Tankless water heaters (if gas-fired) will save homeowners over $100 annually the longer they remain in service.

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

How much does it cost to install a tankless water heater?

The typical range for tankless heater installation is between $4,500 and $6,500, averaging out to around $5,500 (including the water heater, warranty and tune ups). The tankless heater installation without the unit can cost between $1800 and $3500, averaging out to around $2650. Aug 26, 2022

What size tankless water heater do I need for a family of 4?

What Size Tankless Water Heater Do I Need For A Family Of 2, 3, 4, 5, Or 6? Number Of Family Members: Gas Tankless Heater Size (GPM) Electric Tankless Heater Size (kW) What size tankless water heater do I need for a family of 3? 7-9 GPM 15-23 kW What size tankless water heater do I need for a family of 4? 8-10 GPM 20-28 kW 3 more rows

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What size breaker is needed for a tankless water heater?

Electrical Requirements Model Recommended Breaker Recommended Household Electric Service ECO 11 1 x 60 Amps DP 125 Amps ECO 8 1 x 40 Amps DP 100 Amps POU 6 1 x 30 Amps 100 Amps POU 3.5 1 x 30 Amps 100 Amps 4 more rows

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

Will a tankless water heater work during a power outage?

It may be obvious that electric powered tankless water heaters won’t work without an electrical supply. However, natural gas and propane tankless water heaters rely on electricity as well, and won’t work without electricity. Oct 3, 2017

How many amps does it take to run a tankless water heater?

A tankless water heater requires 120 amps to run on average. If your home is older, you’ll likely need a professional electrician to upgrade your system and increase the amount of amperage available in your home. Oct 21, 2021

Do tankless water heaters use 110 or 220?

Voltage. To reduce the amp draw, all electric tankless water heaters operate on a 240-volt circuit.

How much electric do you need for a tankless water heater?

Key points. Most American families use around 50 gallons of hot water per day. To meet this demand, an electric tankless water heater will use 9–12 kWh of electricity. An electric tankless water heater needs about 3 kWh of electricity to heat a 10-minute shower. Jan 21, 2022

Can you install a tankless water heater anywhere?

Tankless water heaters can be installed anywhere inside your home. You can even have a tankless water heater in a bathroom! Some families with larger homes choose to install two, one for each floor, for example. Because of their small size, they fit in closets, cabinets, pantries or laundry rooms. Oct 29, 2020

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How much room does a tankless water heater need?

As a general rule of thumb any gas tankless water heater that uses internal combustion air musts have at least 10,000 cu. ft. of space around the unit. Confined areas (such as a closet) may require air ducts or additional air inlets.

What do I need to install a tankless water heater?

Tankless water heaters provide hot water on-demand. Gas units require a gas line, adequate combustion air, a vent to remove combustion gas and an electrical outlet to power the unit. While they last longer than tank-style water heaters, they are more costly to install and often require upgrading your gas line.

Is 200 amp service enough for tankless water heater?

A 200-amp service allows operation of multiple appliances at once, while a 60-amp service won’t provide enough power to run an electric hot water heater, air conditioner and hair dryer simultaneously. The EcoSmart Eco-18 model requires two 40-amp breakers for installation and has a 75-amp draw. Nov 7, 2019

Resources

https://www.efficientsystems.net/blog/preparing-tankless-water-heaters-for-winter/

How to Prevent Your Tankless Water Heater from Freezing

The Pros and Cons of a Tankless Water Heater

Dangers of Gas Tankless Water Heaters


https://www.petro.com/resource-center/tankless-hot-water-heaters-vs-tank-storage-water-heaters

What Type of Water Heater Is Most Energy Efficient?


https://www.bobvila.com/articles/types-of-water-heaters/

Tankless Water Heater Installation Cost (2024)

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


https://www.ecosmartus.com/support/electrical-requirements

Which Saves More Energy: Tank or Tankless Water Heaters

What Size Breaker for Electric Tankless Water Heater?


https://medium.com/@aprtexas/will-a-tankless-water-heater-work-without-electricity-1d439530f4d6
https://www.angi.com/articles/new-water-heater-requires-electrical-upgrade.htm

How Many Amps Does A Tankless Water Heater Use? (42-167 Amps)


https://cleancoolwater.com/how-much-electricity-does-a-tankless-water-heater-use/

Can I Install a Tankless Water Heater in a Bathroom

How to Install A Tankless Water Heater


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

The Big Draw of Tankless Electric Water Heaters

About the author

Robert Flores