Water heaters are known for being very durable, assuming they are properly taken care of. No water heater lasts indefinitely, though, which means that sooner or later you will need to install a install a new water heater.
What makes a tankless water heater the best choice for your home?
The best tankless water heater provides on-demand hot water, superior energy efficiency, and long-term reliability. These systems are compact, last up to 20 years, and reduce utility bills over time. While installation costs more upfront, they offer excellent value for households with consistent or high hot water usage.
If you currently find yourself looking for a new water heater, you have a number of different options to choose from. It’s important that you carefully weigh the pros and cons of each water heater type, as each one is suited to a different situation. When making your decision, consider your budget and other factors such as installation complexity, household hot water needs, and the overall quality of the unit. Energy efficiency and installation expenses can significantly impact the amount of money you spend over time. Have a look at which water heater might serve your needs best below.
Introduction to Water Heaters
Water heaters play a vital role in every household, ensuring you have access to hot water for daily activities like bathing, washing dishes, and laundry. When it comes to choosing a water heater, homeowners typically consider two main types: tank water heaters and tankless water heaters. While traditional tank water heaters store a set amount of hot water, tankless water heaters—sometimes called instant hot water heaters—heat water only when you need it, providing a continuous supply of hot water on demand.
Tankless water heaters, including popular options like gas tankless water heaters and Rinnai tankless water heaters, are known for their energy efficiency and ability to deliver endless hot water. Because they only operate when there is a demand for hot water, they use less energy compared to traditional models, which can lead to significant cost savings on your utility bills. With advanced technology and efficient heat exchangers, tankless water heaters are an essential upgrade for any household looking to reduce energy consumption and enjoy reliable hot water whenever it’s needed. Rinnai models are built to last up to 20 years and offer various efficiency options, making them a durable and versatile choice for homeowners.
Tank Water Heaters
A tank water heater is what most people think of when it comes to water heaters. A tank water heater uses a large storage tank to store and heat a large supply of water at all times. Tank water heaters can be gas or electric, and can vary in size between 7-100+ gallon tanks.
A tank water heater offers a number of advantages, including convenience. Because the system is constantly heating water, you can always count on having hot water readily available whenever you need it. This is especially useful in households with multiple people, along with the added capacity that most storage tanks provide. The typical lifespan of a tank water heater is about 10–15 years, but with proper maintenance, you can extend its life and maintain efficiency.
Tank water heaters do have some drawbacks, though. Since a tank water heater never entirely shuts off, it spends a lot of energy on an annual basis heating water that is not being used. This contributes to slightly higher annual costs. Tank water heaters can also take up a lot more space since any installation must make allowances for the storage tank. If your current unit struggles to meet demand, it could be due to not enough hot water.
Regular maintenance is important to maintain the performance and reliability of your tank water heater. When installing or repairing a tank water heater, it is recommended to hire a plumber to ensure proper setup. Choosing a quality tank water heater will also help ensure long-term reliability.
Tankless Water Heaters
A tankless water heater is a water heater that, as you might expect, does not make use of a storage tank. Instead, the system uses a heat exchanger similar to a boiler. Tankless water heaters do not remain on at all times; they stay off until there is demand for hot water. When there is a need for hot water, the tankless water heater turns on and begins heating water as it passes through the heat exchanger. When there is no longer a demand for hot water, the system turns off until it is needed again.
There are different types of tankless water heater units, including non condensing models, which use a single heat exchanger and have higher exhaust temperatures. Non condensing units are generally less expensive but require specific venting considerations. Condensing tankless water heaters, on the other hand, recycle heat from exhaust gases to improve efficiency. Tankless water heaters can be powered by electricity, natural gas, or propane tanks, giving homeowners flexibility in choosing the best option for their needs.
Tankless water heaters are more energy efficient than tank water heaters since they aren’t operating at all times, which helps reduce ongoing energy costs. They also take up less space, since they don’t have large storage tanks. However, tankless water heaters have their own drawbacks in certain situations. A tankless water heater is more easily overwhelmed by demand since it does not have a standing supply of hot water to fall back on. Since the water heater has to heat water from scratch, there is also a slight delay between when the faucet is turned on and when hot water arrives. To avoid performance issues, be sure to keep up with maintenance.
Additionally, the initial cost of tankless water heaters is higher than conventional tank water heaters, which may be a consideration for some homeowners.
When installing a tankless water heater, also known as an instant hot water heater, you can choose between indoor and outdoor installation options. Installation options for instant hot water heaters include both indoor and outdoor units, with considerations for ventilation, drainage, and climate suitability. Indoor units require proper ventilation and drainage, while outdoor units must be protected from the elements. It is important to hire a plumber for installation to ensure the unit is set up correctly, especially when dealing with gas lines or complex venting.
The quality of the tankless water heater unit you choose will impact its performance, reliability, and overall effectiveness. Many modern tankless water heaters offer smart features that allow you to connect the unit to your home WiFi and control it remotely through an app, optimizing performance and convenience. Rinnai is a leading brand known for manufacturing both condensing and non-condensing tankless water heaters, offering a range of options to suit different needs and budgets.
Regular maintenance is essential for maintaining your tankless water heater. Performing routine maintenance tasks, such as descaling and flushing the system, helps maintain efficiency, prolongs the life of the unit, and extends its lifespan. Properly maintaining your tankless water heater ensures it continues to operate efficiently and reliably for many years.
How Tankless Water Heaters Work
Tankless water heaters, often referred to as instant hot water heaters, revolutionize the way households access hot water by heating it only when there is a demand. When you turn on a hot water tap, the tankless water heater immediately activates, drawing cold water into the unit. Inside, a powerful heat exchanger—fueled by either natural gas or electricity—rapidly heats the water as it passes through. For gas tankless water heaters, such as those from Rinnai, a natural gas line or propane tank supplies the necessary fuel to generate heat. This advanced technology ensures you receive endless hot water on demand, without the need for a bulky storage tank. By operating only when hot water is needed, tankless water heaters eliminate standby heat loss, making them a highly efficient and modern solution for any home. The result is a compact, responsive unit that delivers hot water precisely when and where you need it.
Benefits of Tankless Hot Water Heaters
Tankless hot water heaters offer a range of benefits that make them an appealing choice for today’s homeowners. Their standout feature is energy efficiency—since tankless water heaters only heat water as it’s needed, they use less energy and help reduce overall energy consumption. This translates into lower utility bills and significant cost savings over time. Another major advantage is the ability to provide continuous hot water, so you never have to worry about running out during a shower or while running multiple appliances. Their compact design saves valuable space, making them ideal for smaller homes, apartments, or bathrooms with limited room. Tankless water heaters also boast a longer lifespan than traditional models, often lasting 15-20 years or more with proper maintenance. By minimizing standby heat loss and reducing energy waste, these water heaters are a more environmentally friendly option. With regular maintenance, tankless water heaters deliver reliable, efficient hot water service for years, making them a smart investment for any household.
Energy Efficiency of Water Heaters
Energy efficiency is a key consideration when choosing a new water heater, and tankless water heaters are designed to excel in this area. Many tankless models achieve impressive energy efficiency ratings, with some reaching up to 0.98 UEF (Uniform Energy Factor). This high efficiency means that more of the energy consumed is used to heat water, resulting in lower energy costs and reduced environmental impact. Unlike traditional tank water heaters, which constantly reheat stored water and suffer from standby heat loss, tankless water heaters only operate when hot water is needed. This on-demand approach leads to substantial energy savings and helps keep utility bills in check. When reviewing different models, it’s important to compare their energy efficiency ratings and consult with a plumber to determine which unit best matches your household’s hot water needs and budget. By selecting an efficient tankless water heater, homeowners can enjoy endless hot water while maximizing energy savings and minimizing ongoing costs.
Flow Rate and Water Pressure
Selecting the right tankless water heater involves understanding your household’s flow rate and water pressure requirements. The flow rate, measured in gallons per minute (gpm), indicates how much hot water the heater can deliver at once. If your home has multiple fixtures—such as showers, faucets, and a dishwasher—running simultaneously, you’ll need a tankless water heater with a higher flow rate to meet your hot water demands. Water pressure is equally important, as it affects the performance and efficiency of the heater. Most tankless water heaters require a minimum water pressure of 30-40 psi to operate effectively. To ensure your system delivers consistent hot water to all fixtures, it’s essential to work with a plumber who can help determine the optimal flow rate and water pressure for your specific needs. Proper sizing and installation will guarantee that your tankless water heater performs reliably, even during peak usage times.
Sizing a Water Heater
Choosing the right size water heater is essential to ensure your household’s hot water needs are met efficiently. The capacity of a water heater is determined by its flow rate, which is measured in gallons per minute (gpm). To find the right tankless water heater size for your home, add up the flow rates of all the fixtures and appliances that may use hot water at the same time—such as showers, faucets, and dishwashers. The flow rate requirements for gas models are essential to meet peak demand in colder climates, with recommendations of 7-9 GPM for 2-3 person households.
Another important factor is the temperature rise, which is the difference between the temperature of your incoming water supply and your desired hot water temperature. The greater the temperature rise needed, the more energy your water heater will require to deliver hot water at the right temperature. For larger households or homes with high hot water demands, a higher-capacity water heater may be necessary to ensure everyone has access to hot water without interruption. By carefully considering your household’s flow rate and temperature rise, you can select a water heater that delivers optimal performance and energy efficiency.
Installation and Venting
Proper installation and venting are essential for the safe and efficient operation of a tankless water heater. The installation process involves connecting the unit to your home’s water supply, gas line, and electrical system, all of which must be done with precision to ensure optimal performance. Venting is a critical component, especially for gas-powered models, as it safely removes exhaust gases from the home. There are different venting options, including non-condensing and condensing systems, each with specific requirements that must be met for safe operation. To avoid potential hazards and ensure your tankless water heater functions as intended, it’s highly recommended to have a professional plumber handle the installation and venting. Regular maintenance, such as flushing the system and checking for proper venting, will help maintain performance and extend the lifespan of your unit. By following manufacturer guidelines and scheduling routine maintenance, homeowners can enjoy efficient, reliable hot water for years to come.
Performance Plumbing provides a full range of water heater installation services in St. Louis, MO. If you need a new water heater installed in your home, contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our experts. We’ll make sure that you get the water heater that is best for your needs.