How To Choose A Tankless Water Heater
By: For Saving Heating & Cooling
If you are considering buying a tankless water heater for your home, then you have come to the right spot.
Believe it or not, tankless water heaters can help you save a lot of money and a lot of space too.
Below we highlight powerful tips on how you can choose the best tankless water heater for your needs.
Let’s get right into it.
Let’s take a look at the benefits
When purchasing a tankless water heater, there are a couple of things you need to keep in mind:
1. It doesn’t take up much space
They can produce hot water in seconds without taking up much of the space in the home. Instead of dealing with a large tank of water, you will have a small and compact device.
2. As much hot water as you want
You will not have a limit on the storage of hot water! With the help of a tankless water heater, you will never worry about a shower gone long!
3. Lasts a long time
In comparison to a normal water heater, the tankless one has a lifespan of about 20 years.
4. Has an impact on your energy bill
If you opt for this solution, this means that you could potentially lower your energy bill by 50%. The tankless solution is an energy-efficient one and will save you plenty of money.
Check out the different sizes
The second thing you need to check is which side of a tankless solution you'll need.
Believe it or not, there are various tankless water heaters out there, so all you need to do is to find the one that would best suit your needs.
The things you need to take into consideration are:
· To look at the BTUs
· To calculate the GPM
· To calculate the temperature
Make sure to look at the warranty
Make sure to take a look at any warranty that may come with the tankless water heater.
Those heaters that are of excellent quality will come with an extended warranty, one that may even cover the expense in case the heater breaks down.
Also, make sure to remember that if the water in your home is hard, it may create a tear in the device fast.
In this case, you will need to invest in a water heater that comes with a very long warranty.
Efficiency of the water heater
Depending on how efficient they are, the water heaters might be able to save you on energy.
Given the fact that they always outperform normal water heaters, you should not have an issue finding just the right tankless water heater for you.
You need to look out for the EF rating. The higher that rating, the more efficient the water heater will be.
How about gas-fueled heaters
If you can use propane or natural gas, then having a tankless water heater is an excellent idea.
In terms of heat output and response time, these are considered to be the fastest. Now, even though it might take less time for the gas water heater to respond, it might take up more gas.
So if you are switching from a traditional water heater, have this in mind. Also, you will need to take a look at the ignition too!
There are three types to take a look at when you are buying such a product:
· Direct ignition
Connect it to your electrical system and it is ignited as soon as the water starts flowing through the device.
· Power ignition
Once the water starts to flow through the news device, that is it – no need of connecting it to batteries or an electric system.
· Standard ignition
This is the same method as for the traditional water heaters – a pilot light burns continuously.
Electric Water heaters
Another version that is cheaper than the gas unit is the electric water heater. You can find it for about 300 to 500 dollars cheaper. They are considered to be the more eco-friendly version, however, they are known for being more costly in terms of energy. On the other hand, the design of the electric water heater is simpler, making it easier and cheaper to fix them in case they break.
Know The Climate You Live In
One of the things you need to look into before getting a new tankless water heater is the climate you live in. This would be one of your best indicators of how to choose a unit that would be perfect for your home. Make sure to take a look at the coldest months of the year so you can best determine what you need.
Vent The Tankless Heater
Should you consider venting your unit? Let’s take a look at the options.
· Indoor unit
If you are dealing with an indoor unit, then note that not all of these units require venting. In fact, in most cases, you don’t even need to worry about it. However, if you decide to do the venting, then you need to call up an HVAC company near you and have them take a look at it instead of trying to do it yourself.
· Outdoor units
If you are dealing with an outdoor unit, note that these are the units that are designed to handle the elements. You do not need to figure out how to vent an indoor-outside. But, on the other hand, if you are living in an area that has constant low temperatures, then you might need to reconsider this option. The outdoor units are known to be the cheaper ones, and the indoor units are the ones that are known to be easily installed.
Maintenance Of The Tankless Water Heater
When it comes to maintenance, it all depends on what type of unit you own, so let’s break this down.
·The electric units
These require almost no maintenance at all. You should do simple cleaning regularly, but that should be enough.
·The gas-fueled units
These units are the ones that require a little more maintenance than just the regular cleaning up. They need a full inspection, regularly. Note that this should only be done by a professional.
Ultimately, whatever type of tankless water heater you own, you need to remember that the goal is to regularly inspect and clean the heater, preferably by a professional. This will ensure the longevity of the water heater.
Tankless Water Heaters Summary
Make sure to remember all of the things we have counted in this list when you are looking to buy a tankless water heater.
Since this is considered a big decision, take your time to think through the options. After you have weighed in the pros and cons and have deducted which type you should get, all you need to do is purchase it and have it installed!
If you have any questions about tankless water heater installation and repair feel free to call us at 416-543-0641 or chat with us in near real-time on our Facebook fan page.