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Tankless Water Heater Buying Guide
How does a limitless supply of hot water for your home, increased energy efficiency and lower fuel bills sound? That’s the promise of tankless water heaters. Long popular in other parts of the world, tankless or “on demand” water heaters, first appeared in the United States about 30 years ago. Today they account for 8% of new water heater sales and that figure is growing. Is tankless water heating right for you? Only if you plan your purchase well. Pronto’s Tankless Water Heater Buying Guide will walk you through the not-so-simple technology so you can make an informed buying decision.
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the five
What are the five key points I need to look at?
Tankless water heater types
Threre are two types of tankless water heaters: whole house and point of use. Choose a whole-house unit if you want to heat all your water at one source. Point-of-use units are best if you want to heat water for a single source, like a sink or shower.
Capacity
Tankless water heater capacity is its ability to raise the temperature of the water coming into the unit at a certain flow rate. Consult your plumber to help you determine the temperature of the ground water coming into the heater, the flow rate you require at peak usage and the temperature at which you want your hot water—this information will determine the capacity you need.
Power
Tankless water heaters are powered by gas (natural or propane) or electricity. Choose the larger, gas tankless water heaters for whole-house water heating and smaller, electric tankless water heaters for point-of-use service.
Installation
Upgrading to a tankless water heater is expensive. Power and venting requirements may require new plumbing, new or upgraded gas and electricity lines and new flues and vents. What you spend up front, you’ll recoup over the tankless water heater’s lifetime—they last twice as long as conventional water heaters and cost less to operate.
Efficiency
All tankless water heaters are more energy efficient than conventional water heaters. Look for the tankless water heater’s Energy Factor (EF) rating. Higher numbers mean higher efficiency. Electric units are more efficient than gas. Look for electric tankless water heaters with a .80 or higher EF.
pronto pick
What product do we recommend?
We like the Bosch AquaStar 2400EO-NG natural gas tankless water heater. Designed for outdoor installation in nonfreezing climates, it doesn’t need venting, cutting installation costs significantly. The AquaStar can supply enough hot water for someone to shower while the dishwasher runs and has a life expectancy of more than 20 years. Better yet: you’ll reduce you carbon footprint and can expect energy savings of up to 50%.
experts say
Greenhomeguide.com—“The key to selecting the proper model is knowing the flow rates of your fixtures, the coldest temperature of incoming water, and your usage patterns (how many faucets do you expect to be able to use at the same time?). Work with your plumber to choose a size that fits your needs.” Source: greenhomeguide.com
Toolbase.org—“Tankless water heaters are rated by the maximum flow rate at which a desired temperature rise is met. Special features may allow the user to set the delivery temperature. Efficiency is higher than an equivalent tank type water heater because standby losses are virtually eliminated.” Source: toolbase.org
Green Home Guide—“ Because tankless heaters generate hot water only when you turn on the hot water tap, it takes some time (a small delay) to heat cold water to the optimal temperature. Locating the heater far from the tap can result in a more noticeable “sandwich effect” when hot water is used intermittently.” Source: Greenhomeguide.com
hot buzz
What's the latest in the world of tankless water heaters?
If saving energy and reducing your carbon footprint tops the list of reasons to switch to a tankless water heater, why not go one step further? Passive solar water heaters work in much the same way as conventional water heaters, but they use solar energy to maintain water temperature in the tank instead of gas or electricity. By feeding ground water through a passive solar water tank, you can raise its temperature, reducing the amount of work that a tankless water heater needs to do. This cuts down on energy consumption and your fuel bill while reducing the carbon emissions needed to run your home.
Wallet Impact
What can I expect in my price range?
| Price | Description | Good Pick (see all Tankless Water Heaters) |
| $ | Budget-priced tankless water heaters in this range are usually smaller, electric, point-of-use models and generally deliver a flow rate of 2 to 4 gallons per minute. | |
| $$ | Midrange tankless water heaters include both larger electric and gas-powered units. You’ll find capacities ranging from 3.5 to 6 gallons per minute, suitable for whole-house needs. | |
| $$$ | High-end tankless water heaters typically exceed the needs of average households and are best for commercial applications or situations where extraordinarily hot water is required. Look for these powerhouses to deliver more hot water faster and from colder ground water, often at flow rates higher than 6GPM. |
Compare prices at 5 stores $2,499 - $3,890 |
shop talk
What are the terms and definitions I need to know about?
Capacity
A measurement of how many degrees a tankless water heater can raise water temperature at a given flow, typically expressed in Gallons Per Minute (GPM).
Distribution
The distance between a water heater and its point of use (shower, washing machine, etc.).
Efficiency
Efficiency refers to how much of a tankless water heater’s energy is transferred into hot water against how much heat is lost in the process.
Energy factor (EF)
The measure of a tankless water heater’s efficiency, expressed as a decimal. Higher EFs equal better energy efficiency.
Flow delay
The time it takes for cold water to be flushed from the pipes before heated water reaches the point of use.
Flow Rate
The amount of water passing through a tankless water heater’s heating unit in a given time, usually expressed as gallons per minute (GPM).
Standby heat loss
The gradual drop in temperature as warmth radiates from water stored in a conventional water heater. This increases fuel costs, because the water must be periodically reheated to maintain your desired temperature.
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