best tankless water heaters

Tankless water heater becomes the more efficient variant and it does bring a lot of technological improvement over the conventional type. It does offer well-appreciated advantages especially from the standpoints of efficiency, space-saving, and ease of use.

1. Never Run Out of Hot Water

The main idea of a tankless water heater is that the unit doesn’t have to store gallons of water in any tank. Anytime you need a flow of hot water, the appliance will quickly heat up water from any available source and distribute it to you. In other words, it only requires power when the faucet is turned on.

2. More Efficient

With no tank to store water, the appliance does not need to heat it when not in use. A tankless water heater can be powered by either propane gas or electricity, but the appliance will only use the power when you switch it on. As a result, you never waste energy on hot water that you are not currently using.

3. Take up Less Space

The absence of tank greatly reduces the overall dimensions of a water heater. A tank that can store up to 60 gallons of water is considerably big, but you will not have it in a tankless variant. The dimension of a tankless water heater is generally comparable to a suitcase.

4. Longer Lifespan

The typical life span of a tankless water heater is about 20 years. In contrast, the functional-life of its tank-equipped counterparts is only about 13 years. Considering the energy efficiency feature and space-saving aspect, you can save a lot of money in the long run.

An Instant Hot Water Heater is a fairly simple device. It can reduce your hot water heating cost and save you money, but it also has a few disadvantages.

A typical Instant Hot Water Heater consists of a pipe system and a computer controlled heater element, either gas or electric.

When there is a demand for hot water (e.g. you’ve opened the hot water tap) cold water enters the Tankless Water Heater’s inlet pipe and travels thru it. A flow meter signals the heating unit to start producing heat. The computer factors the water flow, required temperature and temperature difference and controls the heating element.

The heat is transferred thru the pipe system to the water as they flow thru it. When the water emerges from the other side it is hot, and flows directly to where it is needed.

As mentioned before – you save money because there is no heating of excess water and no standby heat loss.

Installing A Tankless Water Heater Is Something That You Should Attempt Only If You Have The Proper Experience.

If you don’t have experience with soldering pipe than you may want to leave it up to the professionals but if you are able to do it yourself or you know of a friend or family who could do it for you, it would save you a lot of money.

Hiring a contractor to do it and then seeing the final bill could give you quite the shock as they are not cheap.

If you already know the basics when it comes to installing a tankless water heater here are a few added tips to make the installation process a bit easier for you.

Tip 1. Draw Your Installation Plan

Draw out your installation plan on paper

This is likely to keep headaches at bay because planning ahead before you start the actual installation allows you to know exactly what you need and could save multiple trips back and forth from the hardware store.

Read all of the product’s paperwork

• Before you get all antsy and want to start installing a tankless water heater you should read everything that comes with it first.
• When you first take it out of the box try to refrain from getting it installed right away.
• Instead, read the manufacturer’s instructions because if you don’t follow them you could end up voiding any warranty that you may have otherwise.

Tip 2. Gather All Necessary Tools Gather all the tools and supplies you will need to get started

While each installation will vary depending upon a number of different factors the basic supplies and tools you will be needing include various power tools, solder, pipe and soldering gun.

• It’s also best if you have some electrical and plumbing knowledge as well although you don’t need to be an expert.

Tip 3. Build A Platform

Consider using a few concrete blocks as a platform.

• Some people suggest creating a platform for the tankless water heater to make it easier to access the drain.
• If it’s just sitting on the floor it’s going to be harder to get at.
• You could also install the water heater directly to a wall but make sure that it’s secure.

Tip 4. Choose Your Location

Choose a convenient location. You want to make sure there is easy access to the electric water heater but you don’t have to have it sitting out in the open either.

• These water heaters are generally sleek and small enough in size to easily fit into just about any space.
• Just assume that you’ll have to work on it again in the future and think about where it would be easiest to get to.

Tip 5. Be Safe And Check Your Work

Only turn the circuit breaker on when the tank is full

If you turn on any heating elements before the tank gets filled with water you will have to replace them.

Check your work

To do this you’ll want to make sure that you close the drain valve first and then simply fill the tank with water and check to see if there are any leaks.

The Bottom-Line

If you a bit about plumbing and electricity you may find installing a tankless water heater to be quite simple.

The steps themselves are simple but the soldering, piping and wiring is what makes it complicated.

Cost Of The Tankless Water Heater Is Often A Determining Factor Of Whether You Will Buy One Or Not

So, you are thinking about taking the plunge and purchasing a tankless water heater for your family, but wondering about tankless water heater cost.

You are not alone as the cost of the tankless water heater is often the determining factor.

Here’s the thing, there are a few factors that can make the tankless water heater cost much more.

Learning these five factors can help you save a lot of money in the end or at least prepare for what you will spend.

The Size

Obviously the larger the size and the more hot water it can produce when you turn on your water faucet, plays a part in the overall cost.

• Therefore, if you have a large family, you probably will need more than one tankless water heater.
• For those singles and couples with no children, you obviously do not need several tankless water heaters; you will pay less than someone will with a large family.

If You Have A Large Family – Think About Investing In A Whole House Tankless Water Heater

In the event, you do have a very large family, you might need to consider a whole house tankless water heater, and obviously, this will increase the tankless water heater cost overall.

Which Fuel You Choose

You have a choice of electric vs. gas, and in the end, one may cost more than the other due to installation fees, and the price your utility company charges for the electricity or natural gas.

The type of fuel you personally choose, is often a matter of preference, both sources will heat the water, which is the ultimate goal.

Many people feel safer with electric while others have no preference and more likely will choose the model based on the sale price regardless of the fuel needed.

What You’ll Pay Is The Installations Costs

Imagine purchasing a tankless that is on sale and you think you just made the deal of the century only to find out the installation costs more than the tank itself! Make sure you fully understand the cost of installation before you purchase the tankless water heater.

 Part Of The Overall Price Is Maintenance, Which Varies By Manufacturer

While it is true the tankless water heaters have less maintenance requirements, they still need to be maintained, so find out what the manufacturer of the tank estimates and see if the store you are purchasing the tankless from takes care of the maintenance and what they charge.

The Bottom-Line

Finally, the main thing to remember when you set out to purchase a tankless water heater is to have all the estimated costs right in front of you rather than just looking at the tankless unit price itself.

There May Come A Time When You Will Need To Replace Tankless Water Heater Parts

If you think purchasing a tankless water heater will mean you never have to replace a part or that it requires no maintenance, you would be wrong.

The truth is, you will need to replace tankless water heater parts at some point, and depending on the brand, you may be able to find the parts at a homebuilders store or directly order from the manufacturer.

Another option is purchasing the parts online, unless of course, you need the parts right away.

1. The Relief Valve

The first thing you may need to replace is the relief valve, which depends on the model is a kit.

While your owner’s manual and the kit itself may come with instructions, if you are not very handy with mechanical issues, you may have to call a plumber or someone that is qualified to service your tankless.

2. The Vent Pipe

Another common replacement part is the vent pipe, which over time may need replacing, and like all the parts on the tankless, they are replaceable, which of course is why they last longer than traditional tanks.

3. The Thermostat

Thirdly, the thermostat at some point may need replacing just for the fact that over years, it simply wears out, like any other part.

This is a simple replacement, but again, you can also call in service for your tankless if you are unsure.

4. Compression Nuts

Fourth, the compression nuts and brackets can wear out over time and often need to be replaced, this is a common replace part that is cheap to purchase and takes just minutes to replace.

5. A Heating Element

Fifth, the heating element will probably need replacing at some point, but again, it is not something that you have to replace every year, these parts last for many years, but over time as with anything, they need a little care and replacement.

6. The Flow Switch

The sixth common tankless water heater parts include the flow switch, which is different depending on the model you currently have.

This is a very important part, and obviously, if it goes out and you cannot find a replacement nearby, you may be left with a trickle of water for several days.

7. The SRC

Lastly, the SRC may need replacement, but this depends on your individual unit and you should know that is a special order part in most cases, so you might be wise you have one on hand in the event it should need replacing.

The Bottom-Line

When you purchase your tankless water heater, it is a good idea to ask what the most common parts that need replacing are for the model.

Then save money by shopping online for the parts while the unit is still new.

When you receive the parts, store them away because someday, you will need them and when you do, you’ll be prepared.