How Do Tankless Water Heaters Work?
Tankless water heaters provide an endless supply of hot water for as long as it’s needed. Because these systems provide hot water on demand, they don’t require a storage tank to store hot water. No storage or holding tank means that tankless water heaters have a life span twice as long as traditional systems because the risk of rust and corrosion is significantly lower.
What Size Tankless Water Heater Do I Need?
When choosing a tankless water heater, you need to make sure that you’ve got the right size to accommodate your household. To choose the right size, there are a few things to consider.
How Many Products in your House Need Hot Water?
How many water-using products you have throughout your home. This includes any bathtubs, showers, sinks, washing machines, etc.
The Combined Flow Rate (GPM) of These Products
Most items like shower heads and faucets will list their flow rate in GPM (gallons per minute). You’ll need to add the flow rates of all of the items you think may possibly run at the same time and select a tankless water heater size with at least that amount of GPM to be sure that you’ve always got hot water on demand.
Temperature Rise
You’ll also need a water heater that accommodates your climate by using an adequate temperature rise. For Canadians, our temperatures can dip quite a bit, so you’ll need to make sure that you select a tankless water heater that can heat your water to the desired temperature easily. Remember, warm incoming water allows a unit to output a higher GPM than cold incoming water.
Should I Replace My Existing Tankless Water Heater?
There are a few signs that it’s time for a water heater replacement or repair.
- Your water isn’t heating enough or at all.
- You notice water leaking around the heater.
- You’re experiencing low water pressure.
If you’ve got any of these issues, you may need to repair or replace your tankless water heater.
Gas-powered Tankless Water Heaters
Gas-powered systems are fuelled by propane or natural gas and heat the water with a burner. A tankless gas water heater needs a gas line to the water heater, and the unit must be vented to the outside. If tankless gas is replacing a gas tank-type water heater, typically it requires a larger gas line. Venting may also need to be upgraded. The right size unit can provide endless hot water for up to two major applications at a time. This unit is a great replacement for a tank water heater.
Electric Tankless Water Heaters
Tankless electric water heaters heat the water with an electrical element and are also a great replacement for a tank model. A tankless electric water heater needs to be hardwired to the circuit breaker/electrical panel. The size of the existing electrical service to the home needs to be considered as larger units may require an upgrade. Tankless electric water heaters do not need to be vented. Although tankless electric water heaters may output fewer GPM than a tankless gas unit, the larger electric units can provide endless hot water for up to two major applications, which is sufficient capacity for most homes. They are less expensive to purchase than gas tankless, and their smaller size and lack of venting may allow them to be installed where gas tankless units cannot go.
