Is gas or electric better for tankless water heater?

By Robert Flores / October 27, 2022

Overall, natural gas tankless water heaters are the choice for greater water heating capacity and electric models are better for small households and bolstering existing systems.

Do tankless water heaters need a vent?

Tankless hot water heaters require special venting to blow hot exhaust gas outside, where it dissipates. Unlike traditional tank-style water heaters, gas tankless hot water heaters offer far more versatile venting options. Oct 15, 2012

Does tankless water heater need to be mounted outside wall?

While tankless water heaters are meant to save you space over tank-style water heaters, there are still some challenges of installing them. They need to be installed inside of your home’s walls and then vented outside. Jan 6, 2022

How far does a tankless water heater need to be from a window?

Indoor Installations A tankless water heater requires a 4-foot clearance from the side or below a door or window that opens, unless the unit is directly vented to the outside, says Ernie Graves. If the water heater is installed above the door or window, it needs 12 inches of clearance.

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Can you install a tankless water heater under your house?

Because it’s small — about the size of a carry-on suitcase — you can place a tankless water heater along any stretch of pipe: In the attic, basement, closet, or crawlspace. You can install two or three units to serve different parts of the house, or even dedicate a unit for a particular use — say, a washing machine.

Are tankless 2022 water heaters worth it?

Yes. In fact, a tankless water heater will last almost twice as long as a conventional water heater. Traditional models with a storage tank tend to last around 10-12 years with proper maintenance. On the other hand, a tankless water heater will last for approximately 20 years. Feb 28, 2022

How much does it cost to replace a hot water heater with a tankless?

The national average for tankless water heater installation cost is around $2,800. Depending on the model, the units themselves usually cost between $500 and $2,000, with installation adding another $500 to $1,500. However, for large or specialty units, you may pay as much as $6,600 in total costs. Aug 8, 2022

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!

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

Why does it take so long to get hot water from my tankless water heater?

The length of the delay can be determined by a few factors, including the distance between the water heater and the outlet. In other words, the longer the water has to travel, the more cold water will need to be discharged before the hot water appears. Dec 21, 2020

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How much does it cost to install a tankless gas 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 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.

Is Rheem better than Rinnai?

On the whole, the product offerings from Rinnai and Rheem are very similar, with the range of choice and the warranties available all being excellent. The only place we can find an obvious difference between Rinnai and Rheem is in their proprietary products that they’ve introduced.

Are gas tankless water heaters worth it?

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

Can you claim a tankless water heater on your taxes?

If a tankless water heater has a UEF rating of . 82 and above, it qualifies for a rebate no matter the brand. And if you purchase any tankless water heater, you can get $300 back on your taxes. Oct 25, 2021

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.

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Why do tankless water heaters cost more to install?

Installation is expensive because the unit needs a bigger gas supply than a conventional water heater does, and it needs to run its own exhaust flue to the exterior. Installation costs can vary widely, depending on the location of the flue and the gas supply. The unit itself costs between $800 and $1,000. Apr 19, 2007

How much propane does a tankless water heater use per month?

Gas cooktop/range – 65,000 BTU/hour or 5 to 10 gallons per month. Tankless water heater – 40,000 BTU/hour or 1.5 gallons per day. Gas clothes dryer – 35,000 BTU/hr or less than one gallon per day. Apr 29, 2015

How much does a 50 gallon tankless water heater cost?

Tank Size or Tankless Water Heating Capacity Number Of People Tank Price Tankless Price 1 to 2 people 20 to 30 gallon tank, $270 to $900 2 to 3 gpm tankless, $250 to $600 3 to 4 people 30 to 50 gallon tank, $320 to $2,200 3 to 5 gpm tankless, $400 to $700 5 or more 50-plus gallon tank, $400 to $3,000 6+ gpm tankless, $500 to $900 Sept 13, 2022

How many gallons per minute are two showers?

It is recommended that you use 1.0 GPM for bathroom water needs. If you are running two different showers at the same time, you will need at least 5 gallons of water from your tankless water heater. If you need to run both your washing machine and shower at the same time, you will use around 4.5 gallons per minute.

Resources

https://bfplumbingbayarea.com/blog/gas-vs-electric-tankless-water-heaters/
https://www.rinnai.us/announcements/7-tips-tankless-water-heater-venting

Can a Tankless Water Heater be Installed Outside?


https://homeguides.sfgate.com/setback-window-tankless-water-heater-105718.html

Is a Gas or Electric Tankless Water Heater Right for You?


https://www.allcityplumbing4u.com/blog/2022/february/is-it-worth-switching-to-a-tankless-water-heater/
https://www.thisoldhouse.com/plumbing/reviews/tankless-water-heater-installation-cost
https://morrisjenkins.com/blog/the-pros-and-cons-of-a-tankless-water-heater/
https://www.eccotemp.com/blog/6-common-tankless-water-heater-problems-and-how-to-solve-them/index.php
https://www.prattplumbing.net/how-to-deal-with-a-delay-in-hot-water-from-a-tankless-water-heaters/

Tankless Water Heater Installation Cost (2024)

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


https://cylinderdirect.nz/rinnai-or-rheem-hot-water-heating-systems-which-one-is-better/

Are Tankless Water Heaters Worth The Investment?


https://www.monkeywrenchplumbers.com/learning-center/2022-tankless-water-heater-rebates

Tankless Water Heater Buying Guide


https://greenhomeguide.com/askapro/question/is-it-true-that-tankless-water-heaters-are-expensive-and-complicated-to-install

How Much Propane Do My Appliances Use?


https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/plumbing/water-heater-installation-replacement-cost/
https://theoriginalplumber.com/plumbing-tips/how-to-size-a-tankless-water-heater/

About the author

Robert Flores