How long do tankless water heaters last?

By Robert Flores / October 27, 2022

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 is tankless water heater installation so expensive?

Tankless water heaters have a higher initial price compared to tank heaters, costing homeowners between $1,200–$3,500. The higher cost is a result of a more labor-intensive set-up, as new gas and water lines are required for installation. For electrical tankless heaters, new electric wiring will need to be installed. Sept 1, 2022

Do tankless water heaters require 220?

Requirements for electric tankless water heaters: Voltage — Many retailers sell units that will accommodate 110V, 120V, 208V, 220V, 240V, and 277V.

What size breaker do I need 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

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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

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

What is required to install an electric tankless water heater?

To get you started, we’ve laid out this step-by-step tankless electric water heater installation guide. Switch Off Circuit Breaker and Water Supply. … Drain Your Old Heater Before Disconnecting It. … Remove the Front Cover. … Mount the Water Heater. … Connect Any Pipes. … Install Flow and Pressure Valves. … Bleed the Hot Water System. More items… • Aug 20, 2021

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.

Why do I have to keep resetting my hot water heater?

In some cases, the water heater reset button will repeatedly trip. This is a warning sign of a larger issue such as a faulty thermostat, loose wiring, corroded parts, a grounding problem, or a malfunctioning high limit switch. May 28, 2021

Why do I have no hot water?

The lack of hot water is a common problem that can be resolved by looking for loose connections to the water heater and resetting any fuses in the circuit breaker box that may have tripped, causing a lack of hot water. After about an hour, your home will be supplied with warm water again if the breaker tripped. Jul 12, 2022

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How long does it take water heater to heat up?

The average gas heater takes between 30 and 40 minutes to fully heat up the water in its tank. The average electric heater takes about twice as long as the average gas heater to fully heat up the water in its tank, so you can expect it to take between an hour and an hour and 20 minutes to heat up. Aug 12, 2016

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.

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

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

Can you take a shower with a tankless water heater?

With a tankless water heater, you can take a shower, use the dishwasher, and do laundry all at the same time without losing hot water. On top of saving, you from the dreaded cold shower, it can also save you money and energy.

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Which instant water heater is best for shower?

The Best Instant Shower Heads/ Water Heaters For Low Water… Sale! Midea Instant Water Heater with inbuilt silent pump- DSK45EU3 – Digital Display. … Sale! … Lorenzetti Maxi Turbo Pressurizer. … Lorenzetti Advanced Turbo. … Lorenzetti Duo Shower Turbo. … Sale! … Enerbras Enerducha 3T.

How long does a tankless water heater take to pay for itself?

Tankless water heaters can eventually pay for themselves with energy bill savings, but the payback period may be long: 22-27 years for a gas tankless heater, 12-20 years for an electric. Tankless water heaters tend to last longer than storage heaters: 20 to 25 years in many cases.

Which is more energy efficient gas or electric tankless water heater?

Electric tankless water heaters are typically around 98 percent or more efficient while gas tankless water heaters are around 80-85 percent efficient. A gas tankless water heater can be cheaper to run and will typically last longer. Aug 5, 2019

Can you plug a tankless water heater into an extension cord?

Tankless water heaters require a 120 volt electrical connection to operate. The power cord shall be plugged into a grounded three pin electrical outlet within six feet of the water heater. Extension cords are not allowed.

Do tankless water heaters have a pilot light?

Tankless water heaters also use a burner lit by electronic ignition, so there’s no standing pilot light. The best indicator of a heater’s efficiency is its Energy Factor (EF).

Resources

The Pros and Cons of a Tankless Water Heater


https://www.thisoldhouse.com/plumbing/reviews/water-heater-installation-cost

Tankless Water Heater Buying Guide


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

What Size Breaker for Electric Tankless Water Heater?


https://www.angi.com/articles/new-water-heater-requires-electrical-upgrade.htm
https://www.homeserve.com/en-us/blog/how-to/install-tankless-electric-water-heater/
https://www.homedepot.com/c/ah/how-to-install-a-tankless-gas-water-heater/9ba683603be9fa5395fab904246ec3f

5 Issues That Could Trip the Water Heater Reset Button


https://www.ars.com/blog/no-hot-water-in-house

How Long Will It Take My Water Heater to Heat Up?


https://ask-the-electrician.com/installing-a-tankless-water-heater-circuit/electrical/

Can I Install a Tankless Water Heater in a Bathroom

The Big Draw of Tankless Electric Water Heaters


https://www.mrplumberatlanta.com/help-guides/never-run-hot-water-tankless-water-heater

The Best Instant Shower Heads/ Water Heaters For Low Water Pressure


https://www.ragsdaleair.com/help-guides/will-a-tankless-water-heater-save-me-money

Tankless Water Heaters: A Buyer’s Guide


https://www.brentwoodca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/2724/637794153344400000
https://www.centerpointenergy.com/en-us/SaveEnergyandMoney/Pages/Tankless-Water-Heaters-Energy-Efficient-Appliances-SGO.aspx?sa=TX&au=bus

About the author

Robert Flores