Tankless Water Heaters: The Ultimate Buyer's Guide

While tankless water heaters are popular in modern homes, you need to install the right one to get the most benefits. Many brands have different types of systems that may confuse you. For that reason, consider these important factors before you purchase a tankless water heater.

Price and Brand

Look at your budget and decide the price range you can comfortably spend on a heater. Be careful, however, not to sacrifice quality at the expense of cost. Some cheap alternatives only last for a short time and cost you more in the long run.

With many brands that manufacture tankless water heaters, you need to go for one that manufactures excellent systems. You may find well-recognized brands expensive, but they offer quality goods and satisfactory customer service.

Power Source and Energy Factor

A tankless heater can be electric or gas based on the energy that drives it.  

• Electric tankless water heater. Carefully consider the amperage, circuit breaker, and voltage demands. Different units accommodate various voltages, so check that your electrical system can handle the tank's requirements. You should also ensure that your circuits can support the tank or dedicate a separate one for that purpose.
• Gas tankless water heater. You need to know the gas type and vent requirements. The new tank requirements should not exceed your gas line requirements. The vent demands can sometimes be a little more complicated since your area construction codes may come into play.

Most people prefer electric to gas heaters because they are cheaper. Nonetheless, gas heaters can heat a larger amount of water within a given time.

Find a system with a high energy factor. Those that meet Energy Star requirements are rated 0.90 or above. The rating reflects how efficiently the tankless heater converts the fuel to hot water. Many gas-powered systems have a rating of more than 0.95.

Size

How large your household is and the amount of hot water you require determines the size of the tankless heater you need. An extremely small heater won't meet your household needs. On the other hand, an extra-large one is unnecessarily costly. So, you need an appropriate size that will cater to your needs even at peak usage.

You can choose to have a whole house or point-of-use tankless heater that focuses on an individual faucet.

Flow Rate and Climate

Note all appliances you will use simultaneously during peak usage — laundry, shower, and kitchen sink. Then, sum up their rates to find the total flow rate. If you are unsure of the rate, check the appliance's manual or the gallons per minute (GPM) stamp.

To determine the GPM rate, check how cold the water that comes into your house is. The cooler the water, the harder it is to warm hence a lower GPM. If your area has a warmer climate most of the year, you shouldn't prioritize a higher GPM. If the temperatures differ greatly from one season to another, use the coldest season to determine the rate.

Warranty

Some tankless water heaters come with limited-time warranties, while others have longer warranties, even up to a lifetime. If you come across one with no warranty, you shouldn't purchase it as the manufacturer won't compensate for any damages. Instead, be sure you read the details and select a favorable one.

Additionally, you should consider the type of water that flows through your system. Hard water may cause your device to wear down faster. The water heater is essential for your everyday life, so consider a quality warranty that extends longer.

Before you buy a tankless water heater, remember to do thorough research and take your time since the decision is big. Don't hesitate to contact us at Power Plumbing Inc. for further questions.