Tankless water heaters only heat the water when you turn on a faucet. The advantage is to decrease your extra energy costs. When the tap for hot water is turned on, cold water is what travels through the pipe, and then whether you have gas or electric, the element heats the water. There are many advantages to having a tankless water heater. They take up less space than a conventional water heater. It eliminates wasted energy as hot water tries to cool down in pipes, or while it is sitting in a storage tank.
Tankless water heaters come in many sizes. The size needed varies for every family. Does your home have two bathrooms? Will there be two showers running at once? Will there also be a load of laundry running at the same time? These are things you need to consider. If this were the case, you would be using almost five gallons per minute from the tankless water heater. The average shower needs to produce a temperature of 105 degrees, and will use up to three gallons of water. A washing machine will heat up to approximately 120 degrees if using hot water. This is a lot of water, and a lot of energy at one time. It’s important to remember other factors, which include the dishwasher, and washing dishes in the kitchen sink, both of which take up hot water.
Gas tankless water heaters do produce a higher temperature per gpm than an electric one. A gas tankless water heater will need proper ventilation. They are more efficient than electric ones and heat water quicker than an electrical unit. Because the gas unit does need the proper ventilation, the initial cost will be higher for proper installation and plumbing. If there are only one or two people in your household, an electric one is adequate, but if there are more than that in the home, it is recommended that you go with a gas tankless water heater. Thor Industries is an expert in assisting with all your plumbing needs.