My Tankless Hot Water Heater

Why Are Tankless Water Heaters So Costly?

2009-05-19T15:53:00.000-07:00

Tankless installations have pick up in the last couple of years. I know from my own experience, I didn’t really understand the basic difference between tank and tankless at first. But to avoid disappoints, or maybe I should say, be prepared for adjustments, this is something that the family needs to talk about. My family now understands - tankless isn’t bad, it’s just different.

For most, taking a shower or any use of hot water means that there is plenty of hot water until the tank runs out. It all depends on the size of the tank. For a tankless home hot water heater use depends on the outside ground temperature. In the summer you may have enough capacity to take care of the family routine but come winter…

If everyone in the family understands this then there is enough water for everyone; the water is there, just not all at once. All this happens because a tankless heater is called upon to heat water from very cold to very hot in a matter of seconds. The greater the difference between these two temperatures the greater the reduction of flow at the faucet.

Talk it over. There are ways to have enough hot water with a smaller unit by making some adjustments in family habits. Having back-to-back showers can mean a less expensive unit. Doing laundry and dishes at night may also save on utility rates. Installing a small point-of-use model can be cost effective. There are other ways to trim that initial cost and make an on-demand water heater more economical.

Can We Make Tankless Water Heaters Green?

2009-05-13T20:05:00.000-07:00

If America isn’t awake, it soon will be as the US Congress gears up for the coming energy legislation. The President has said he wants this legislation enacted as soon as possible and every group that has an interest is lining up to try to influence the outcome.

The stakes are high and the outcome will impact every corner of our life, from switching on the AC to hot showers. And so we wait to see the effect it can have on the environment, the country and the homeowner.

The estimated cost to the energy industry for carbon emissions will be $646 billion through 2019, according to Energy Bulletin’s Marianne Lavelle. This is money that will flow into the US Treasury and perhaps used to fund green energy projects.

The industries with a stake in this have already reacted by hiring more lobbyists to try to shape this legislation to their advantage. Figures from the Center for Public Integrity estimates that there are now 2,300 lobbyists employed in this attempt - more than four for every member of Congress.

Energy efficient appliances that run on electricity, like tankless water heaters and heat pumps, would benefit from green technology using clean energy as well as better efficiency.

Support for the small startup companies will pay off because that is were the new ideas are usually born. The amount of Government programs that encourage the development of new technology can be the deciding factor in how quickly this happens.

If the idea to be 100 percent carbon free electric in 10 years is real then flipping a light switch or turning on the hot water will be the dawn of power from a new breed of energy. Then on-demand hot water heaters will be truly green - saving through their energy efficiency as well as by using clean energy.

Looking for tankless water heater answers

2009-03-19T08:45:00.000-07:00

The national conscience is beginning to turn to conservation. Global warming and rising energy costs are hot news buttons these days. One way to go green is by replacing your old water tank with a tankless water heater when the time comes. Or you could do it before warning signs; the out of the box EER drops off significantly over time.

Installing a tankless water heater comes with a new set of numbers for finding the best choice for your home. Some models are actually no more expensive than storage tank heaters; other models are more expensive, 2-3 times more.

It’s not an easy task to find the right hot water heater. There is a lot of misinformation floating around. The comparison I’ve seen thrown around a lot is that tank water heaters are the cheapest and electric tankless are the most expensive.

That can be true but it all depends on what you are comparing.
The Department of Energy, which was a good source of consumer information, has redone its site so that it is hard for the homeowner to find any useful information about tankless water heaters. The only graph I see now doesn’t even include tankless models but there is help in doing some estimates. It is worth a visit for energy saving tips and a general description of the workings of a water heater.

These are the figures that DOE once used as a benchmark.

Percent energy efficient
Electric tankless .95-.99
Electric storage .90-.95
Gas tankless .80-.85
Gas storage .60-.65

So if your concern is to be green then it looks like tankless, of course electricity comes from coal, oil, nuclear and wind. Will that ratio change in the next 10 years, it seems highly likely.

There are other good choices to remember and will be talked about later: heat pump water heaters, solar powered and something that GE will soon introduce, a hybrid.

But back to the topic: Since electric power costs more than natural gas there needs to be an equation that answers a home owner’s question, What is the best water heater for me?

For that you need to be able to compare energy cost for your local, how much water you use and installation over the life of the unit.

Looking to replace a water heater

2008-08-04T06:22:00.000-07:00

For anyone looking for a good reason to replace that aging hot water heater they can find it in today’s news. Looking at natural gas costs for the coming winter projects gas per therm rates of $1.62, a 33 percent rise over this time last season and 110 percent higher than a decade ago.

Department of Energy also shows that heating with a gas powered tankless water heater is 33 percent more cost effective than with a tank water heater. If you were comparing an older tank water heater, the difference would probably be even greater.

Take advantage of the US government’s EnergyStar ratings when shopping for new appliances. It’s also a good idea scan consumer reports for efficiency and price. You can do a search at doe.gov for more info.

There are other resources that can give you industry standards for quality and performance, which can help you in making a decision. Knowing thing like warranty and whether there are any authorized repair services close by can also be helpful.

Follow this link for more info on choosing the best home tankless hot water heater

Tankless Hot Water Heaters - Less Space, More Value

2008-07-18T09:24:00.000-07:00

As efficient as a tankless hot water heater can be, there are ways to make it even better. One of these is to minimize water travel. When installing a tankless water heater it’s a good idea to think about location.

This is just one of the reasons a tankless heater could be your best water heater choice. Its size makes it easy to position it close the outlets you use the most, such as a shower or clothes washer for instance. Changing your heater location may help reduce heat loss caused by the water traveling long distances through uninsulated pipes.

Naturally, there are some limitations in an existing structure but it should give you more flexibility than a storage tank model.

Tankless water heaters do have special requirements. Home tankless hot water heaters need either high amperage access for electrical models or high capacity gas line and venting system for most gas models. Many people turn to home improvement stores as the best place to find a qualified installer.

Even though installation can be pricey, high efficiency ratings can be a good reason for these models of water heater to be a popular choice among a growing number of home owners. Find out which is the right model for you and ask for estimates. Prices can vary.

See http://www.installing-a-tankless-water-heater.com

Home Tankless Hot Water Heaters - How to Choose

2008-07-03T19:00:00.000-07:00

Some of the newer model washers and dishwashers come with their own tankless hot water heaters, an idea that you could carry over when your aging storage tank type water heater needs replacing. Replacing that old, inefficient heater with an energy efficient home tankless hot water heater makes good sense. But first lets look at a few points to help you come up with the right choice.

Finding the right spot
Think of a home tankless hot water heater as something smaller and better at producing more hot water for less money. Electrical models are rated 99 percent efficient, gas models somewhat less. This is possible because they operate on the “hot water on demand” principle. And this happens in a matter of seconds. There is no wasted energy from heated pipes that you find with storage tank style heaters.

This small, light weight type heater can be mounted anywhere; gas tankless hot water heaters are often mounted on the outside of a home to cut back on installation costs. Electrical home tankless hot water heaters can be positioned close to primary water outlets to increase efficiency.

Thoughts on installation
Installing a gas home tankless hot water heater can double the initial cost of a new unit. A high volume gas line is usually called for as well as to-code venting system which meets high temperature specs. A fresh air supply is also necessary to maintain good draft. A CO2 detector is also a good safety precaution with this combustion system.

Wall mounting is also the preferred way to install an electrical home tankless hot water heater. Small and light weight, this can be done with a drill and screwdriver. It should be in an accessible position for servicing. Aside from an 80-120 amp electrical supply the only requirements are that it should have cut-off water valves and adequate wiring.

Interior mounted gas home tankless hot water heaters come with a potentially big price tag. Rely on experienced installers for advice and written estimates.

Heating decisions
Some new home builders are beginning to add home tankless hot water heaters as a way to attract savvy buyers but existing homeowners can also benefit from this technology. Since they are so small and light weight and electric models so easy to install, a combination can be use to maximize the efficiency of heating water.

Gas home tankless hot water heater are usually used for the big jobs with electric tankless heaters for smaller applications and under the counter models being the answer for single faucet use.

When it comes time to buy you will find that gas home tankless hot water heaters are the most expensive; costing $2,000 and up. Electric home tankless hot water heaters are almost as inexpensive as storage tank models but by installing it yourself and taking the energy saver tax credit you could have one for as little as $300.

Smaller electrical units, which operate on 120V can also be self installed to provide hot water for a single outlet. A good solution for lavatory or kitchen sink.

Flexibility and efficiency
Hot water doesn’t have to be a single source solution. A home tankless hot water heater can take many forms to provide for your hot water needs. Regular usage and peak needs can be met with no wasted energy.

Refer to this site for detailed installing a tankless water heater instructions.

Follow this link for more info on choosing the best home tankless hot water heater.

Best Tankless Hot Water Heater - 5 Simple Steps

2008-06-27T03:43:00.000-07:00

The rising cost of gasoline, food and just about everything else is starting to have an effect on pocketbooks. Some estimates put hot water at about 20 - 25 percent of home utility costs. So any savings here are significant. How big these savings are depends on several factors that, in turn, depend on you. If you are in the market for a hot water replacement consider that a tankless hot water heater may be the best choice.

What goes into finding the best choice

1) Those living in the sunny south have an advantage in this first point - Colder winters mean heaters have a bigger job heating water to a useful temperature, say 110 F degrees. For any type of water heater this could mean raising water temperature as much as 70 F degrees. This takes a lot of heating power but fortunately with tankless water heaters this is only called for when the faucet is on.

2) Water use - How many faucets to you have running at one time? Using multiple outlets at the same time means more water heated on demand. You should make some estimates of this because it is a big factor in determining the best tankless hot water heater to fit your family’s needs. A bucket and a watch is about all it takes to find the gallons per minute flow rate that your tankless water heater will be required to generate.

3) How much you pay for gas or electric - Power varies by state or locale. For example eastern seaboard states have some of the highest rates for gas and lowest for electricity. Natural gas consumption is higher in northern states, while electric use is higher in southern states.

4) Getting the most from the system - Long pipe runs mean heat loss. It pays to insulate pipes wherever you can access them. The most effective hot water heating solution could be to have multiple heaters. In fact, mixing gas and electric could be the most economical answer.

Passively heating water before it reaches the tankless hot water heater is an excellent way to cut heating bills. If your current tank is in a warm part of the house, replacing it to an uninsulated tank so it can work to preheat water.

5) Installation - You’ve picked the best tankless hot water heater and now your are ready to know hat it takes to install one. Gas tankless hot water heaters are the most expensive to install. There are specific requirements for venting that call for stainless steel ducts, although some are mounted outside to eliminate this expense. Fresh air to the combustion chamber is important to prevent CO2 from escaping. Larger size gas pipe will probably be needed. Instillation costs can easily match the cost of the heater.

Electric tankless water heaters are much simpler. If you have difficulty finding a qualified installer or think you have the skills to do plumbing and wiring then a how-to book and the manufacturer’s installation guide should be enough to get you through it. Check to be sure that the electrical panel has the capacity to handle the 80-120 amps that an electric tankless water heater will draw.

The best tankless hot water heater is one that meets the measurements we talked about and energy efficient hot water for a long time.

Refer to this site for detailed installing a tankless water heater instructions.

Follow this link for more info on choosing the best tankless hot water heater

Installing Tankless Hot Water Heater Facts

2008-06-10T02:20:00.000-07:00

If you are installing a tankless hot water heater in your residence, you are making a big step towards home energy efficiency. Few measurers can yield a return on investment as quickly as replacing standard residential hot water heater with one of these new energy saving models.

It takes only a few steps to find the unit that is right for you. If you haven’t decided whether gas or electric are more suitable, here are a few tips:

Electric tankless hot water heaters are about the size of a PC. They require heavier wiring and multiple, high amp circuit breakers. Plumbing can be done with flexi-pipe and common copper pipe.

Gas tankless water heaters are about twice the size of an electric and require no special electrical work. They do require a properly installed gas line and an exhaust vent, similar to a furnace. The units cost about twice as much to buy and install as an electric. Newer models are designed with ignition systems for greater efficiency. Some with flow sensors or remote activators.

Electric tankless water heaters can be a do-it-yourself project for those with a wire stripper, pipe cutter and a few tools found in any toolbox. A how-to book should get you through the wiring and plumbing, which are very basic. You should be sure that you circuit panel is adequate for the load that the tankless water heater will require - usually 80 to 120 amps. Buy online and install yourself, and you can expect savings of 50 percent.

For the southern half of the U.S., eighty amps are usually enough for a residence where a shower and one faucet will be in use. There are measurements, found on the manufacturer’s website, that can help you better determine the right unit for your needs.

Installation costs for tank and tankless models should be about the same but energy savings will make a big difference. Manufacturer‘s claims vary from 25 to 90 percent. A great deal depends on variables like ground water temperature, daily usage and distance from unit to shower. Large houses may need multiple on-demand water heaters set up in zones.

Units that have water flow and temperature control allow you to fine the efficiency of your tankless water heater.

Look for tax credits and rebates from your local utility.