Dayton area residents who are trying to save money on their utility bills are increasingly looking for more efficient appliances. If you are looking to save on your bills, a tankless water heater could be one avenue to explore. Knowing what to look for when selecting a system can mean the difference between success and failure.
Most people are familiar with the traditional tank-style or storage water heater. A tankless unit, on the other hand, is installed directly in the water line and heats the water as it passes through to the faucets or devices where the hot water is needed. These units cost a bit more to purchase than traditional water heaters, but the energy savings is significant, as the water is heated on demand instead of the homeowner having to pay to keep a tank of water hot continually.
There are a few key things a homeowner will need to know before making a decision as to which system is needed. Each of these factors can be dependent on others, so it’s important to be armed with this knowledge.
- Flow rate: the number of gallons per minute that the unit is capable of producing. It will differ slightly depending on whether it’s a gas or electric unit; gas units are capable of pumping out a higher rate. Each faucet, showerhead, dishwasher, etc. has a flow rate, and all are all added up to determine the needed overall rate.
- Number of units: this greatly depends on the needs of your family. Hot water traveling to more than one location at the same time, or the water traveling a sufficient distance that it starts cooling before reaching the outlet, are just two of the factors that can determine how many are needed.
- Temperature rise: how much the water needs to be heated; determined by subtracting incoming water temperature from the desired output temperature.
Each unit is rated according to the maximum temperature rise a given flow rate can produce.
Determining your tankless water heater needs does not have to be confusing. The trained professionals at Ace Hardware Home Services, Inc. are available to help you select the right system for your home.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information, click here to download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Ace Hardware Home Services services the Dayton, Ohio area. To get started, check out our website or request an appointment.
