What is the most efficient water heating system?

By Robert Flores / October 26, 2022

Heat pump water heaters move heat from one place to another instead of generating heat directly for providing hot water, resulting in high efficiencies and significant cost savings. Solar water heaters use the sun’s heat to provide hot water and also save money on energy bills.

Do tankless water heaters pay for themselves?

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.

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.

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Which is better hot water heater or tankless?

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.

How much value does a tankless water heater add to a home?

If you are looking to increase the value of your home, adding a tankless water heater to your features is a great place to start. According to a study conducted by Zillow, homes with tankless water heaters sold for 4% more than their expected value. Aug 17, 2020

What is the pros and cons of a tankless water heater?

Pros and cons of on-demand hot water Pros of tankless water heaters Cons of tankless water heaters High efficiency Limited flow rate Long-term savings High upfront cost Environmentally friendly Can require prior setup work Jan 21, 2020

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

How much does it cost to convert to tankless water heater?

The cost to switch to a tankless water heater system is about the same as having one installed: an average of $2,800 with a range between $1,200 and $2,500. Aug 8, 2022

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

How do I choose a tankless water heater?

There are two things you need to consider before purchasing a tankless water heater: the flow rate, meaning the water measured in gallons per minute (GPM) for a fixture or appliance, and the temperature rise, which is the difference between the groundwater temperature and the desired hot-water output temperature.

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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.

Can a tankless hot water heater fill a bathtub?

Yes, usually. A tankless water heater can provide hot water indefinitely, which means it will fill up the tub. However, you still need to consider how fast the heater can provide the temperature of water you want. Faucets work by mixing in hot water with the cold. Feb 22, 2022

Can you drink water from a tankless water heater?

A “”tankless”” water heater will not provide this source of drinking water. Tankless systems provide heated water from a coiled pipe located in a furnace. Water that is passed through the coiled pipe is rapidly heated and available for immediate use. There is no storage of the heated water – hence the term “”tankless””.

Can a tankless water heater run on a 1/2 gas line?

A typical tankless water heater will need a ¾-inch gas line. However, if there is sufficient pressure and the run length is short enough, a ½-inch line may be sufficient with certain tankless water heaters, such as the Noritz EZ Series. Nov 8, 2018

Does tankless water heater need a regulator?

You will need two regulators. You will need one regulator to take the tank pressure (up to 200 psi) to down to a household line pressure (2psi). You will also need a regulator to take the household pressure down to the 11″ WC needed by your hot water heater. Jun 19, 2015

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Does a tankless water heater need a pressure regulator?

Pressure-relief valves are an essential component of tankless water heaters. The valves allow you to manually release air from the heating chamber when filling the chamber with water for the first time, or during periodic maintenance. The pressure relief valve is similar to an emergency stop valve. Feb 17, 2015

Can you run PEX directly to tankless water heater?

But the IPC does require following the manufacturer’s installation instructions; and some water heater manufacturers, especially of tankless water heaters, specify that PEX should not be directly connected to their product, with a minimum of 18” of other approved pipe at the water heater connection. Dec 15, 2020

Do tankless water heaters need to be vented outside?

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

How long does it take to install a tankless water heater?

between one to three hours Afterward, the tankless unit must also be mounted and connected. Tankless to Tankless Installation: This generally takes between one to three hours.

How many appliances can a 1/2 inch gas line supply?

Ok, I have done some research and this is what I have found: The max load allowable on a 1/2″ pipe at 20′ is 119,000. A typical dryer uses 35,000 and range uses 70,000. So the load on this 20′ section would be 105,000 with both appliances in full use. Mar 11, 2007

Resources

https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/selecting-new-water-heater
https://www.ragsdaleair.com/help-guides/will-a-tankless-water-heater-save-me-money
https://www.fastwaterheater.com/water-heaters/articles/tankless-water-heater-buyers-guide/
https://www.petro.com/resource-center/tankless-hot-water-heaters-vs-tank-storage-water-heaters
https://www.mrrooter.com/charlotte/about-us/blog/2020/august/does-a-tankless-water-heater-increase-your-home-/
https://www.energysage.com/clean-heating-cooling/tankless-hot-water/tankless-hot-water-pros-and-cons/
https://www.prattplumbing.net/how-to-deal-with-a-delay-in-hot-water-from-a-tankless-water-heaters/
https://www.thisoldhouse.com/plumbing/reviews/tankless-water-heater-installation-cost

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


https://www.lowes.com/n/buying-guide/tankless-water-heater-guide
https://www.ahs.com/home-matters/repair-maintenance/installing-tankless-water-heater/

Can a Tankless Water Heater Fill an Oversized Bathtub?


https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Emergency-Drinking-Water-from-a-Water-Heater

Tankless Water Heater Installation Tips. Things to Consider


https://diy.stackexchange.com/questions/67935/do-i-need-a-regulator-to-connect-a-tankless-water-heater-to-a-20-lb-propane-tan
https://www.eccotemp.com/blog/the-importance-of-installing-a-pressure-relief-valve-before-your-tankless-water-heater/index.php
https://www.howtolookatahouse.com/Blog/Entries/2020/12/can-pex-pipe-be-connected-to-a-water-heater.html
https://www.rinnai.us/announcements/7-tips-tankless-water-heater-venting
https://www.homedepot.com/c/ah/what-to-expect-during-water-heater-installation-appointment/9ba683603be9fa5395fab9042d83092
https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/105391/how-many-appliances-on-my-1-2

About the author

Robert Flores