Best Tankless Water Heater Reviews

A Cost Analysis: What to Expect

As with traditional water heaters, prices for tankless water heaters run the gamut from under $1,000.00 to over $3,500.00. According to the website of the U.S. Department of Energy, an electric tankless water heater will save a homeowner an average of $44.00 per year, while a gas or propane powered models will save an average of $108.00 each year. Modern tankless water heaters have a median lifespan of 15 to 20 years. Traditional tank water heaters generally cost in the vicinity of $400.00 to $650.00 and have an average lifespan of 8 to 12 years. Regardless of which option one chooses, water quality, routine maintenance, quality of the installation, and the design and location of the unit will affect its longevity.

If your home is already equipped with the technology required to install a tankless water heater, then you can expect professional installation to cost you in the neighborhood of $750.00 to $1,000.00. If it is not, then be prepared to spend an average of $2,000.00 in addition to the cost of the unit itself. Installation of a tankless water heater requires the following:

Dispelling the Myths

The rise in popularity of tankless technology has also led to a rise in misconceptions and myths surrounding them. Before you decide to rush out and buy a tankless water heater, read on to find out the truth about some myths surrounding tankless water heaters.

1. You can simply swap out your traditional hot water heater for a tankless model.

Unfortunately, tankless and storage water heaters differ in their electrical needs, venting requirements, and gas line sizes. Retrofitting is not as straightforward as switching the models. Proper installation by a licensed professional is required to ensure peak performance and safety. A licensed professional will also be able to obtain the necessary permits to install the model.

2. Tankless water heaters heat water to unsafe temperatures.

This is a myth. All modern tankless water heaters are equipped with adjustable thermostats so that users may adjust the temperature to their liking. The thermostat acts as a safeguard against overheating and scalding. The water heated by your tankless water heater will not become unbearably hot unless the thermostat has been set too high.

3. Tankless water heaters deliver instant hot water.

Each tankless model will have a delay before it begins to produce hot water. Generally, this delay is no longer than 15 to 30 seconds – depending on the size of the water heater. The unit requires this time to turn itself on and gauge how much heat it must generate based upon the flow rates. Where the unit is installed in one’s home will also affect how long the delay is. To combat this issue, some homeowners opt to install multiple tankless water heaters or a circulation system to preheat the incoming water.

4. Tankless water heaters are inefficient.

Traditional water heaters have an affixed tank for storing water, which is kept hot via a pilot light. Because the pilot light is always on, it uses a significant amount of energy. For this reason, tank water heaters have a considerably bigger carbon footprint than their tankless cousins. Because it utilizes clean energy at minimal use, a tankless water heater is an eco-friendly option.

5. A tankless water heater won’t supply my home with enough hot water.

A traditional water heater with a 40 gallon tank holds exactly 40 gallons of water. Once those 40 gallons have been used, more water must be reheated. This process can take as long as 30 minutes, which translates to limited availability.

However, a tankless water heater will supply water as long as it is needed. Because there is no storage tank, there is no shortage of hot water. The water is warmed as it passes over the heating element to an outlet. All you have to do is open the faucet. For example, a medium sized whole home tankless water heater will provide enough hot water for four to five people. Since the water is heated on demand, two or more people can shower at one time.

Difference Between Point of Use & Whole House

When homeowners begin shopping for tankless water heaters, one of the first questions they ask is, “Do I need a whole home or point of use model?”

Point of use tankless water heaters are commonly seen in bathrooms and kitchens across Europe, but they are not as popular in North America. A point of use model is more efficient than its whole home cousin because there is a shorter distance between the unit and the fixture it is supplying water to. This reduces the amount of hot water used each time a faucet is opened and eliminates piping losses. With a longer pipe, after you have finished using the water, you have simultaneously used the “hot” water left in the pipe. You have paid for the energy required to heat that water.

Point of use models are smaller than whole home models, and because they are not designed to supply more than one location at a time, they use smaller heaters. Installation costs are usually less expensive than with a whole home model; however, they are primarily intended for small residences. If you own a large home or have a big family, then purchasing a single whole home tankless water heater might be more practical and cost efficient than purchasing multiple point of use heaters. One of the primary reasons why these models are not popular in North America is aesthetics. Many homeowners simply do not like the idea of having a visible water heater in their bathrooms or kitchens.

By comparison, a whole home tankless water heater is a single unit that is designed to provide hot water to an entire household. They are generally installed where a home’s storage water heater was located, so they are not visible to residents. Although they do require significantly more electricity or gas to heat water than one or two point of use models, they are still quite energy efficient. The primary downside to choosing a whole home model is that it will require larger than standard gas pipe (for gas models) or a dedicated electrical service line (for electric models). These requirements can add to the unit’s overall installation cost.

What Size Do I Need?

Properly sizing a tankless water heater for your home is not difficult, but it does require a bit of thought and effort.

1. What is your maximum flow rate?

Although tankless water heaters are often touted as providing an continuous supply of hot water, the party will come to an end if the flow rate exceeds the unit’s ability to heat the incoming water. Simply put, as the demand for water increases (called the flow rates), the water heater’s abilities to adequately heat the water will decrease.

When sizing a tankless hot water heater, the flow rate is one of the factors that must be accounted for. Most on demand water heaters are generally rated based upon the maximum rise in temperature they can provide at a given flow rate.

The flow rate is defined as the specific amount of water that must be heated when using a tankless water heater. It is measured in gallons per minute. If your water heater will need to service multiple applications at once, the max amount of flowing water that the system can adequately heat will need to be calculated. You should never attempt to undersize a tankless water heater in a bid to save money.

Let’s say that you are looking for a point of use tankless water heater that can service a bathroom sink’s water faucet and a showerhead at the same time. The sink faucet has a flow rate of 2.1 gallons per minute (GPM), and the showerhead has a flow rate of 2.8 GPM. In this instance, you will need to look for a tankless water heater that can accommodate a flow rate of 4.9 GPM.

2. Calculate the temperature rise.

Temperature rise is defined as the difference between the incoming water’s temperature and the wanted outcome. For example, if you live in the Southern United States, the average temperature of watering entering into your home’s hot water system would be around 65 degrees Fahrenheit. This number will fluctuate wildly from one climate to the next; however, ground temperature is generally on par with the average yearly air temperature for a given region or community.

After you have familiarized yourself with the incoming water’s temperature, this number should be subtracted from the output temperature you would like to have. For the majority of domestic tasks, like taking a shower or washing clothes, a sufficient temperature output would range from 100 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. From an average temp of 65 degrees, incoming water would need to be heated by another 55 degrees Fahrenheit in order to reach the top of the target output range.

3. Does your tankless water heater meet your heating requirements?

After determining the flow rate and calculating the temperature rise, your next step will be to start researching specifications for different models of tankless hot water heaters to figure out which size best suits your requirements. The sizing and rating specifications for a standard tankless water heater would be listed as something like 10 gallons per minute (GPM) with a temperature rise of 55 degrees. New tankless water heaters are equipped with smart technology that enables them to self-limit their flow rates in order to meet an established temperature. Although still relatively rare, this models are becoming increasingly popular.

Can I Install It Myself?

In short, you can try…but unless you are a licenced plumber AND electrician, you probably shouldn’t.

There are specific requirements that must be followed when it comes to properly installing a tankless water heater. If you fail to meet the established requirements, it could put your safety in jeopardy, lead to faulty operation, or void the manufacturer’s warranty. Although most manufacturers do provide installation instructions for their water heaters, an increasing number of manufacturers are opting not to honor the warranties they provide if the unit is not installed by a licensed professional.

Requirements for installation will be affected the brand you choose to purchase, the type of unit, and local laws and ordinances. For examples, many communities require homeowners to obtain permits if they decide to install propane or gas powered tankless water heaters. This type of water heater almost always has special venting requirements. A gas powered tankless water heater utilizes fans that pull in air from the outdoors, and it expels gasses via a flue system. Vents may need to be located on a sidewall or the roof. If you plan on purchasing a propane or gas powered model, be prepared to pay for home renovations to accommodate the required venting system.

For tankless water heaters that are powered by electricity, an upgrade to your home’s existing electrical system may be required. It is imperative for your home to have the proper amount of electrical capacity to power the water heater. Most electrical models require their own dedicated power line.

Most manufacturers also have specific requirements regarding where in the home a tankless water heater can be installed. For example, your new water heater will need to be installed in a location where, in the event of accidental leakage, nearby structures and floors will not be affected. Tankless water heaters must be installed in a location where air flow will not be restricted and is well-ventilated.

For these reasons, it is best to skip the DIY route and spend the money to hire a licensed professional to install your tankless water heater. In doing so, you will ensure your own safety and that of your family. You can also rest assured that the manufacturer will honor their warranty.

Pros & C​ons

Space saving designs, endless supplies of hot water, and decreased energy bills are just a few of the reasons why an increasing number of homeowners are switching over to tankless water heaters; however, for some individuals, these benefits are not sufficient to entice them to make the switch.

As with most items you’ll buy, tankless water heaters have their own sets of pros and cons.

The upfront cost can be astronomical.

On average, a tankless water heater will cost three times more than a tank model. Depending on the type you purchase and its size, the cost can range from just under $1,000.00 to well over $3,000.00 – and that is just for the unit itself. You must also pay the cost of having a professional plumber install it.

Another factor to consider is that not all homes are equipped to accommodate a tankless water heater. For homeowners who purchase an electric model, their home’s electrical system may need upgrading, which means that money will need to be spent to hire a qualified electrician. It is not uncommon for rewiring your home to add as much as $5,000.00 to the total cost of installation.

Tankless water heaters have longer warranties and save space.

For the majority of homeowners, the benefits of having a tankless water heater extend far beyond the energy savings. Modern tankless heaters have small, compact designs, which minimize the amount of space they take up. They can also be installed in non-traditional locations, like crawl spaces and attics if there is room. Because they have a significantly longer lifespan than traditional water heaters, they are better for the environment since a tank won’t end up rusting in a landfill.

Moreover, tankless water heaters are generally accompanied by longer warranties. The average manufacturer’s warranty lasts for 15 years, but it is not uncommon for warranties to be as long 20 years. By comparison, storage tank water heaters have an average warranty of just six years.

There are temperature fluctuations and cold climates to contend with.

Regardless of whether you choose a whole home or point of use model, you can expect a drop off in water temperature when your unit(s) are tasked to provide hot water to multiple applications at the same time. Some homeowners choose to mitigate this effect by installing multiple point of use models in bathrooms and kitchens, but this will add to overall purchase and installation cost of the heaters.

If you live in a cold climate, you may have no choice but to purchase a gas powered model in order to avoid poor performance from an electrical model. Using a tankless water heater in a cold climate also requires additional maintenance during the winter months, like completely draining the pipes on freezing nights in order to avoid cracked and leaking pipes.

They supply you with an endless amount of hot water and increase your home’s value.

Tankless water heaters will produce an endless amount of hot/warm water because they never run out of cold water – so long as the total water demand does not exceed the unit’s max flow capacity rate.

Although high initial installation costs are often viewed as a negative, they should also be viewed as an investment in your home. Because they are considered green technology, installing one or more of these units in your home will increase its resale value.

Conclusion

Although tankless water heaters are growing in popularity, many homeowners still have reservations about investing in one. The technology is still in its infancy, and people are often cautious when it comes to buying the new and unusual. While this is certainly understandable, don’t let your concerns keep you from missing out on all that they have to offer.

The first step is to make the decision to buy a tankless water heater. The second step is to choose a model that meets your unique needs. The third and final step is to have it installed by a qualified professional.

Simply by following these three steps, you’ll be able to enjoy the benefits of owning an efficient and eco-friendly water heater that will provide you with many years of service.