Tankless Water Heater Fuel Types
When it comes to choosing a tankless water heater, there are a few pieces of information to pay close attention to. These are fuel type, location, size, demand, and application.
There are two fuel types for tankless water heaters:
- Gas-fired tankless heaters: Gas-fired tankless water heaters are a good choice for locations where natural gas or propane are in cheap supply. You must examine your gas line to see if it meets the requirements of your new gas-fired tankless heater; these needs may exceed those of your current tank-style water heater. Gas-fired water heaters also mean you’ll need to install a vent if you perform an interior installation.
- Electric tankless heaters: For electric tankless heaters, you have to consider the voltage, amperage, and circuit breaker. Voltages range from 110V to 277V, so ensure your home’s voltage is appropriate. When it comes to amperage, you need to ensure your home can support the tankless heater’s electricity demands. And, lastly, make sure you have space on your circuit or circuits to support your tankless heater – it may come down to putting the heater on its own circuit.
Tankless Water Heater Location, Size, and Demand
A central concern with tankless water heaters is where you need the hot water. Do you want a single-point system for one bathroom sink or one appliance? Do you want a multi-point system for one room? Or do you want a tankless water heater that works on an entire home?
Each fixture has its own level of demand, so gauge the flow rate of each appliance – a dishwasher requires up to 3 gallons per minute, for example – so it might be a good idea to install a dedicated tankless water heater for the dishwasher alone. Should you want a whole-home system, however, you need to add the flow rates together to get the right number so you can decide how big of a heater to purchase.
Then ambient water temperature comes into play: northern climes have lower average groundwater temperatures, so you’ll need a heavier-duty tankless heater in New York versus Texas, which has higher average groundwater temperatures, in order to heat water to the same temperature.
Tankless Water Heater Applications
The final concern for a tankless water heater is its use. There are point-of-use water heaters for single or multiple points in a single room, thermostatic heaters used to keep water hot over long distances, or whole-home systems. What you pick depends on what you need it for.
If you have any questions about tankless water heating, we’re here to help. Contact Feehan Plumbing & Heating for all of your tankless needs today!