Whole House Electric Tankless Water Heater
A tankless water heater heats the water on demand. You only use hot water when you need it, resulting in significant energy savings compared to traditional water heaters.
Electric tankless units run on your home’s electrical system. You may need to upgrade your electrical service if installing a whole house model.
Cost
The most significant cost consideration is the price of fuel. Electric tankless water heaters are typically less expensive to purchase than gas models, and they can also be paired with solar whole house electric tankless water heater panels to save on electricity costs. It’s important to keep future energy prices in mind, however, as it could have an impact on long-term operational costs.
The type of tankless water heater you select will also affect your installation and fuel costs. Point-of-use units are the least costly, and they can be installed in close proximity to a fixture. They’re rated for a single outlet at a time and have a lower flow rate (GPM). These models tend to be cheaper than whole-house electric tankless water heaters.
For large homes or those with high hot-water consumption, a whole house model makes more sense. These tankless water heaters are rated for multiple outlets and have a higher flow rate (GPM). These models can be more expensive than point-of-use units, but they’re often the most economical choice over the long run.
Before hiring a plumber to install your tankless water heater, be sure to get specific pricing information from them. It’s also a good idea to ask about credentialing and customer service. If a plumber seems evasive when discussing pricing, it’s best to move on. Having clear expectations before the work begins will ensure a smooth, affordable, and hassle-free process.
Flow Rate
When selecting a tankless water heater for your home, you will need to determine the total amount of water it can supply simultaneously. This is called the “flow rate” or gallons of water per minute (GPM). The best way to determine this is by making a list of all household fixtures that will be connected to the tankless unit. Include showers, kitchen faucets, washing machines and any other appliances that will use hot water. Add up the total GPM of these units to find the total maximum flow rate.
Another factor to consider is the incoming water temperature in your area. This plays a role in the overall efficiency of your electric tankless water heater, as well as how large a model you need.
To accurately select the right size of an electric tankless water heater, you will need to use a reliable sizing calculator. Navien’s innovative sizing tool, NaviSizer, uses advanced technology to take a number of important factors into consideration to provide accurate recommendations in just minutes.
Lastly, you will need to assess your home’s electrical service capacity. Electric tankless water heaters require a dedicated circuit with the proper voltage and amperage tankless heat pump water heater to operate. If your current electrical service is not adequate, consult a licensed electrician to discuss upgrades that may be necessary.
Energy Efficiency
A tankless water heater uses less energy than traditional models because it heats water only when you use it. This cuts down on wasteful standby losses, which occur when a water heater is constantly heating water even when you don’t need it.
There are two types of electric tankless water heater: a point-of-use model and a whole house model. Point-of-use units are installed near the fixture you want to use and provide instantaneous hot water. These are good options for guest bathrooms and Jacuzzi tubs. Whole house models are ideal when you need to supply your home’s kitchen and multiple bathrooms at the same time. These models can produce enough GPM to handle multiple outlets simultaneously and have higher temperature rise capacities than point-of-use ones.
Both gas and electric models can save you money on your electricity bill over a traditional storage water heater. They also reduce the amount of power generated by coal, natural gas, and other fossil fuels in your area.
A tankless water heater will require annual maintenance to keep the system in top condition. A professional will inspect the unit and perform a vinegar flush every 500 hours to prevent mineral build-up that could damage it. A professional will also help you choose the right size and location for your new water heater. They will ensure leak-free water, vent, and gas connections as well as upgrade the wiring and circuit breaker panel if necessary.
Maintenance
Preventative maintenance is key when it comes to saving money on your tankless water heater. A yearly service plan can save you a lot in energy bills, and it can also extend the life of your unit significantly. Additionally, you can take care of your unit by flushing it once a year to remove mineral deposits and keep them from damaging the heat exchanger.
To flush your unit, shut off the power or gas to your water heater. Then, rotate the valves bringing cold and hot water in to your unit, and the one sending hot water out. You can then disconnect the water hoses and connect them to your drain valve, which will allow the vinegar to drain out of the system. After about an hour, you can turn on the faucets to test for any remaining vinegar or minerals.
Other simple maintenance tasks that you can do at home include cleaning your air filter, which is typically a washable filter. In addition, you should clean the inlet filter on your water heater. This screen is designed to trap any sediment entering your water pipes and can restrict the function of your unit if it isn’t cleaned regularly. It’s a good idea to check your owner’s manual for proper cleaning procedures. Finally, you should also make sure your pressure relief valve is working properly and releasing excess pressure periodically.
