Guide to Buying a Tankless Water Heater

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by: Tina Molina
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Word Count: 559
Date: Fri, 6 May 2011 Time: 12:02 AM

A tankless water heater is a worthwhile investment because it cuts energy use drastically. Since it does not have a storage tank, it saves on costs and energy since it provides water on demand. You just switch it on whenever you need hot water and it heats the water instantly. However, when you decide to buy a tankless water heater, there are some points you should consider.

First you should consider the type of fuel you require to heat the water. Two types of heating system exists; electricity and gas. Each has its own requirements and factors to consider. If you decide on electricity as a source of heat you must consider voltage, a circuit breaker and amperage as requirements. Most electricity powered tankless water heaters use between 110v and 277V thus can be integrated into the home circuitry. The amperage ratings vary, so you must consult your electrician on the rating that your house power can accommodate. You must also consider the circuit breakers, which are essential if you decide on the electricity powered tankless water heater. To be on the safe side, you may need to install a new circuit for the heater separately.

If you decide on the gas tankless water heater, one of the decisions you have to make is the type of gas to use. The types that are normally used are propane and natural gas. You should consult your house gas company and inquire if your gas system can support the gas tankless water heater. A major factor to consider is a ventilation system. Most of the companies that stock the gas tankless water heater also offer venting equipment. You must purchase a venting set that is reliable and effective. The type of venting equipment will vary according to where you intend to install the gas tankless water heater.

Another factor to consider is the location of the water heater. It is advisable that you locate it near the point where maximum amount of water is needed. The points of use include sinks, shower and kitchen. Size of the tankless water heater unit also matters. Size will usually depend on the amount of water that you need around the house. Smaller units will not be reliable as the usage exceeds the supply. The unit you choose should be able to meet your demands effectively.

You should also consider the temperature of the incoming supply of water. The temperature of course depends on geographical location or weather conditions. The temperature greatly affects the performance of a tankless water heater since the colder the incoming water, the less the water will heat, thus colder regions need larger units so as to overcome this hurdle. Warmer climates usually need smaller units than colder areas. You should enquire from the unit provider about the recommended size for your region.

Another point to consider is what you need the hot water for. The application usually affects the size. If the water will be used at a single point i.e. a sink, then the unit is small. But for whole house application the unit is far much larger and more expensive. Whole house types also require more work in terms of installation and have extra feature for control and operation like boosters to maintain flow rate.

About the Author

Alma Hnanguie is the author of this article on Gas Tankless Water Heaters. Find more information on Tankless Water Heater here.

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