Are you thinking of replacing your traditional water heater due to inefficiency or space consumed? Perhaps you’ve had enough of your hot water running out as soon as you start enjoying the hot shower. If so, it’s time to find the best tankless hot water heater.
Apart from using 30% less energy than the traditional heater, a tankless hot water heater requires no storage space. This modern solution heats water on-demand alleviating the need for hot water storage. Also, you enjoy a significant reduction in utility bills simply because the system doesn’t heat water that is not required.
Whether you opt for natural gas, propane, or electricity run system, you get a quieter and smaller water heater with an extended lifespan. Do you know tankless water has a life expectancy of more than 20 years? Yes, there are multiple benefits to enjoy with the new water heater solution.
If you’ve decided to buy a tankless water heater, you are making a huge investment and need to get it right. But with a myriad of options in the market today, how do you pick the best?
Read more to learn how to choose the best tankless hot water heater.
Determine the Number of Units
The number of units required in your home is a key consideration when choosing a tankless water heater. The number of units required will depend on the number of people using hot water in your home, translating to the average usage.
For instance, while a single unit is enough for a few people, several units may be required for very large families, large homes with multiple bathrooms, or rental properties.
To ensure an adequate supply of hot water, consider working with the right technician. With their years of experience, they evaluate your home’s hot water needs and recommend the number of units required.
Temperature Rise
When choosing your next tankless water heater, the temperature rise is key. This is the difference between inflowing water temperature and the hot water temperature you desire to achieve.
When determining the right temperature rise for your tankless heater, consider several details in your home. One of the key factors is the average temperature of the water flowing into your home water system. You want to make sure your tankless water heater capacity will help you achieve the desired temperatures for hot water.
A calculation based on the inflowing water temperature determines the appropriate temperature rise factor for the tankless system. For instance, when the temperature of inflowing water is 35 degrees, you’ll need a system with a temperature rise factor of around 55 degrees.
To determine the average temperature of your incoming water, there are online heat maps tools to use. With a general idea about your inflowing water temperature, choosing a tankless water heater is easy.
If you find it confusing, find the best HVAC contractor in your area to save the day.
Check on Size
Without background experience in heater systems, choosing the right size can be overwhelming.
Tankless water heaters are rated according to the highest possible temperature rise at a given flow rate. It’s thus necessary to check on flow rate and temperature rise to pick the right size of the tankless water heater.
If you need a high-temperature rise or have several people, then a larger unit is invaluable. Also, it’s the same case when several appliances are running simultaneously.
Flow Rate
Flow rate is the amount of water and the temperature at which your appliances will use hot water. In a tankless water heater, the flow rate and the average temperature are measured in gallons-per-minute or GPM.
It’s important to check on the tankless water heater GPM guide to know what you need.
Choose Your Preferred Fuel Source
If you buy a tankless water heater, you have 3 options- propane, electricity, or natural gas. Research to learn about the benefits and drawbacks of each option before choosing.
When thinking of an electricity-powered heater system, consider the impact on the overall power usage of your home. Also, if your home has a weak electric system, consider other options. The tankless water heater may overload your system causing power issues.
Are you looking for the most energy-efficient option? If so, then propane and natural gas tankless heaters will suit you best. Also, units fueled by these options tend to be more powerful than the electric ones.
Consider Maintenance of Tankless Hot Water Heater
Similar to other appliances, tankless water heaters need maintenance from time to time. It’s important to know the level of maintenance required by your preferred unit.
In general, all tankless water heaters need to be serviced annually. Proper maintenance guarantees an extended life span of your unit. Some of the necessary maintenance works include changing the air filter and checking on burner condition.
Also, if you have a hard water supply in your home, the build-up of minerals can damage the water heater. To maintain optimal operation, use vinegar to eliminate accumulated minerals in the unit.
For proper maintenance of your unit, reach out to an experienced technician. These experts have in-depth knowledge of water heater maintenance regimens.
Use These Tips to Choose the Best Tankless Hot Water Heater
A tankless hot water heater is the solution to your traditional water heater’s inefficiencies. While the upfront cost of purchasing and installing the unit may be high, you will recover and enjoy cost savings in the long run.
The above tips will get you started in purchasing the best tankless hot water heater.
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