Tankless Water Heaters Reviews

Dec 14 2009

Tankless Water Heaters Reviews

Tankless water heaters reviews here will explain how these devices work, what are best implementations, which types and models you can find and why use them.

You’ll also find more detailed reviews of various models at the bottom of this page…

Tankless hot water heaters are the newest craze in home appliances.

These devices replace traditional electric or gas water heaters and take up half of the size. Unlike traditional models, tankless heaters do not have the bulky storage tank.

With these water heaters, users do not need to wait for the water to heat up and become hot. Instant hot water heaters save energy, are compact, and efficient. With tankless hot water heaters, hot water is distributed throughout the home when in demand.

How Tankless Hot Water Heaters Work

Unlike other hot water heaters that use excessive energy, tankless models only heat the water you demand. There are both electric and gas tankless water heaters, but they work in the same fashion.

When hot water is requested from an appliance, cold water flows through a pipe, where it is heated by a gas burner or electric coil, and directed to the appliance. The best part about these heaters is that you will never run out of hot water! As soon as you turn the valve off, the heater stops heating the water. You conserve energy and water simultaneously.

While models vary, tankless hot water heaters provide two to five gallons per minute. Gas-driven models are stronger and have a greater output capacity in terms of gallons per minute, however; electric models are still a worthy investment.

In larger households you may require multiple tankless hot water heaters. Using the dishwasher while taking a bath could be stretching the limits of a typical tankless unit.

Implementations

Tankless water heaters are designed for smaller households, such as apartments and townhomes. A tankless heater can only energize so much water at once – if your home has multiple appliances that require simultaneous hot water, you may need to purchase a “Whole House” tankless model.

These are powerful devices that can alleviate such problems. However, these units are costly and you are better off buying a traditional hot water heater.

If you are worried about not having enough hot water, consider installing multiple tankless hot water heaters in the dwelling. Dedicate one tankless unit with the washing machine and dishwasher. Install the second heater for all of your other appliances.

This will ensure you always have hot water when you go to bathe. Additionally, these heaters will circulate water to the appliances faster than traditional models.

Consumer tankless water heaters reviews show that people use them to power their pools, backyard kitchen, and remote bathrooms. These devices are ideal for guest cottages, poolhouses, and sheds. Why fuss with the piping to try and connect it to your existing heater?

Installing a tankless hot water heater will be more economical and efficient. Additionally, tankless heaters have been used to boost current hot water coverage.

Models and Variations

There are two types of tankless hot water heaters: gas and electric. Choosing the type of tankless heater will depend on your dwelling’s connectivity, existing fixtures, and regional availability.

Electrical tankless heaters are ideal for areas that do not have gas hookups, such as in a bathroom. These heaters come in 110V, 120V, 208V, 220V, 240V, and 277V, however; always check with your utility company to ensure compatibility.

All electric tankless hot water heaters require different amp draws, however; ensure your current infrastructure can support the demands of your heater. Generally, these appliances should be placed on their own circuit breaker, however; always consult a licensed contractor before doing the work yourself. Without the proper licensure, you can cause serious injury to yourself and your property. If you are renting, contact your landlord for authorization before installing a hot water heater.

Gas-powered tankless water heaters are more powerful than their electric counterparts and offer additional water pressure. Requirements vary by model, however; you should have an existing gas line connection for the device. If you are installing a dedicated gas line, ensure your utility company provides the right connectors for your water heater.

Category III stainless steel ventilation is required by law. Make sure your venting is UL1738 certified; it is best to consult with a licensed contractor who is familiar with such regulations. While pre-made kits do exist, these do not meet the needs of most consumers.

Tankless water heaters have different applications, including single application, multipoint application, or whole house application. Each fixture in your dwelling requires a certain amount of hot water, thus it is essential that your tankless heater can meet these demands.

Devices use different amounts of water, toilets use 0.5 gpm, bathtubs use 2.0-4.0 gpm, showers use 1.5-3.0 gpm, kitchen sinks use 1.0-1.5 gpm, laundry machines use 2.5-3.0 gpm, and dishwashers use 1.0-3.0 gpm. Look for models with the highest gpm output, as this will ensure your devices will function properly and without coldwater spells.

Benefits of Using Tankless Water Heaters

Instantaneous (tankless) hot water heaters offer many advantages over their energy-eating siblings. Tankless heaters are more compact in size, save energy, are environmentally friendly, and are easy to install. Since the heater does not store a tank of water, the overall size of the appliance is significantly smaller.

These heaters conserve water since they operate on demand. Since the water is heated based on user input, you aren’t paying for unused hot water. Additionally, tankless heaters offer unlimited hot water. The days of getting the “cold awakening” from the shower is over. Electric models cost more to operate than gas, but this can be true of almost any appliance.

Additionally, tankless equipment tends to outlive their ancestors, offering a better value in the long run. The more hot water (gpm) that the heater produces, the higher the overall cost will be.

The main benefit of using tankless hot water heaters is their efficiency. These heaters take on a conservative approach by allowing households to use less water daily while not altering their lifestyle.

A house that uses 41 gallons or less can expect to see savings of 24 to 34 percent compared to traditional water heaters. Homes that use a great deal of water (more than 86 gallons per day) will see a savings of 27 to 50 percent when using tankless heaters.

Best Tankless Water Heaters

The Bosch GL2.5 Ariston 2-1/2-Gallon Point-of-Use Indoor Electric Mini-Tank water heater is designed to deliver water on demand to one appliance. The unit supplies up to 2.5 gallons of water at a time and offers standard connectivity to an electrical outlet.

Installation is a breeze because the device is designed with the average homeowner in mind. The unit is designed to work with an existing hot water system and comes in several models, including 2.5, 4, and 6+ gallons and receives high ratings in online tankless water heater reviews.

The heaters are glass-lined, ensuring that you will not lose energy during the heating process, which increases efficiency. The thermostat on the device can be easily set and changed as needed. Since there are no gas lines or special fixtures, the Bosch is perfect for the garage, backyard, or poolhouse.

Pros and Cons of Tankless Water Heaters

Pros

Energy efficient: Only heats the water when an appliance needs it.
Always On: Never wait for hot water again, as there are no tanks to fill!
Compact: Tankless heaters can fit in tiny spaces such as apartment closets.

Cons

Pressure: Models are limited to the number of gallons they can heat per minute.
Price: Whole home application models are pricier than traditional water heaters.