You decided you want to go tankless. Maybe it’s the additional space that you want to save from moving into a new home or the fact that you no longer have a limit on how much hot water you can use each day. No matter the reason, thousands of homeowners are going tankless every year, saving on energy bills and doubling the lifespan of their regular water heaters. Choosing the right tankless water heater initially feels like a chore, so we’ve compiled key considerations on how to pick the best tankless water heater for your home.
Remember that sizing and climate matters
Size does matter, especially when we’re talking about the needs of a household’s hot water requirements. The water flow rate, or gallons per minute (GPM), calculates the amount of water used in a home simultaneously. Knowing this figure allows us to better understand the tankless unit’s size needed to supply your at-home water needs.
Most tankless water heaters deliver between 2 GPM and 12 GPM of hot water. If you just have one shower running and a washer on cold, you will have a relatively low GPM and require a smaller tankless water heater. If you’re unsure of your hot water usage, follow the steps below.
How to determine flow rate or GPM for your household:
Stick a large measuring cup or container under the faucet on full blast for precisely 10 seconds. Using a timer helps for accuracy.
Measure the amount of water in the container. Remember that 16 cups, or 4 quarts, make up a gallon. If you have four cups of water, that would be 4/16 or one-fourth of a gallon.
GPM stands for gallons per minute, and we only ran the faucet for 10 seconds. The next step is to multiply the number of gallons by six (10 seconds times six equals 60 seconds).
For this example, ¼ gallons multiplied by six is a flow rate of 1.5 GPM.
Repeat steps one through three for all faucets and shower fixtures throughout the home.
Add the GPM for all of the faucets and showers that you will use simultaneously. For example, if you use the upstairs and downstairs showers and the kitchen sink every night after dinner, you want to add those numbers together to get the GPM requirements for your unit.
Standard gallons per minute (GPM) throughout the home:
Showers: 2-3 GPM
Kitchen and Bathroom Faucets: 1-2 GPM
Dishwashers: 1.5-2 GPM
Washing Machines: 2-2.5 GPM
Maximum water heating temperatures and climate also play a part in what size to get and whether the unit will be indoors or outdoors. For warmer climates, focusing on a high GPM may not be a priority. Consider an outdoor tankless water heater to utilize the heat that surrounds the home.
Gas or electric tankless water heaters
For those able to hook up gas in their home, a gas water heater is a great choice. The benefit to a gas appliance is the access to instant heat and a faster response time than an electric model. Still, it does require proper ventilation and more regular maintenance.
Most homeowners choose electric tankless water heaters because they are less expensive than gas units, have higher efficiencies, and are low maintenance.
Use EF rating to dictate water heater efficiency
The United States Department of Energy uses Energy Factor (or EF) rating to determine an appliance’s energy efficiency. Simply put, the higher the rating, the more efficient the appliance will be.
When installing a tankless water heater in your home, there are several considerations to take. First off, consider the size of your home and water needs. Secondly, understand the budget you want to work within and your overall plan for long-term use. Lastly, understand that gas and electric units have different efficiencies, ventilation needs, and upkeep requirements. Choosing the right tankless water heater is much easier when you know what works best for your quality of life and your family’s specific needs.
If you need an honest, dependable plumber in the Phoenix, Mesa, Tempe or Chandler area, call Jimmy at 480-757-1273.
