Tank water heaters have been the go-to option in American homes for years. However, tankless water heaters have become increasingly popular due to their superior energy efficiency, longer lifespan, and more compact size.
If you’re considering making the switch from your tank water heater to a tankless model, you undoubtedly have some questions about what to expect after this change. Below, we’ve gathered some of the top FAQ we’ve received about switching from a tank water heater to a tankless water heater.
What kind of fuel source does a tankless water heater need?
Tankless water heaters typically run on gas, electricity, or propane. Generally, you’ll have the simplest and lowest-cost installation by installing a tankless water heater that uses the same type of fuel that your current tank water heater uses.
Where can a tankless water heater be installed?
Because tankless water heaters are so small, you have a lot of options for the installation location, such as a garage, basement, attic, utility room, closet, pantry, bathroom, and more. If you want to achieve maximum energy savings (27%–50%), the Department of Energy recommends installing tankless water heaters at each hot water outlet.
How much more efficient are tankless water heaters than tank water heaters?
The savings you get from your tankless water heater will depend on your home’s hot water consumption. That being said, for those who use a lot of hot water in their household, a tank water heater will be 8 to 14 percent more efficient than a tank water heater. In households that use up to 41 gallons of hot water daily, a tankless water heater will be 24 to 34 percent more efficient than a tank water heater.
How do I know what capacity my tankless water heater needs to have?
When shopping for tank water heaters, you mainly look at their storage capacity. When shopping for tankless water heaters, you look at two things:
- Flow Rate: how many gallons per minute of hot water it can supply
- Temperature Rise (ΔT): the temperature difference between the cold water that’s coming in and your desired hot water temperature
To determine the minimum flow rate you’ll need, you must add up the flow rates of each plumbing fixture and appliance you intend to use at the same time—you don’t want your water heater struggling to provide hot water to both the dishwasher and someone taking a shower.
To determine the temperature rise, you need to calculate the difference between your groundwater temperature and the hot water temperature you want when you turn on a faucet. You can use a groundwater temperature map to help with these calculations.
Decatur Water Heater Installations
At Jackson Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, our courteous technicians are dedicated to helping you select the ideal water heater for your specific needs based on important factors such as:
- Fuel source
- Tank size
- Capacity
- Efficiency
- Available warranties
Contact us online or give us a call today at (256) 353-0051!
