The rising cost of gasoline, food and just about everything else is starting to have an effect on pocketbooks. Some estimates put hot water at about 20 - 25 percent of home utility costs. So any savings here are significant. How big these savings are depends on several factors that, in turn, depend on you. If you are in the market for a hot water replacement consider that a tankless hot water heater may be the best choice.
What determines the best choice
1) Where you live plays a big part - Living in the northern half of the US means colder winters. this could mean that the temperature entering the house could be near 40 F degrees. To be useful for a shower it needs to be heated to about 110 F degrees. Ground water temperature is less extreme in warmer months. Any heater you choose will have to bridge that gap. This one factor in choosing the right heater.
2) Water use - How many faucets to you have running at one time? Using multiple outlets at the same time means more water heated on demand. You should make some estimates of this because it is a big factor in determining the best tankless hot water heater to fit your family’s needs. A bucket and a watch is about all it takes to find the gallons per minute flow rate that your tankless water heater will be required to generate.
3) The utility bill - Rates for natural gas and electricity vary throughout the US. In some regions the two are very competitive. Being able to compare could be significant in deciding whether to go gas or electric. Convert the kilowatt-hours and cubic feet of gas into thems to compare rates.
4) Getting the most from the system - Long pipe runs mean heat loss. It pays to insulate pipes wherever you can access them. The most effective hot water heating solution could be to have multiple heaters. In fact, mixing gas and electric could be the most economical answer.
Passively heating water before it reaches the tankless hot water heater is an excellent way to cut heating bills. If your current tank is in a warm part of the house, replacing it to an uninsulated tank so it can work to preheat water.
5) Installation - The size of tankless models - an electric is about the size of a PC - make them easy to handle. If your choice of the best tankless hot water heater turns out to be gas, then you should get several estimates from experienced technicians. These models require dedicated gas lines and a specific, high temperature venting. Adequate fresh air supply is important and a CO2 detector is recommended, especially for well-insulated homes.
Electric tankless hot water heaters are much easier to install. In fact, you may have the DIY skills to do it yourself. Check the power supply of your electrical panel to make sure it can handle the load of an electrical tankless model. Wiring to the old tank heater won’t work and it will take new breakers but beyond some simple plumbing it’s a job that can be finished in ca couple of hours.
Best tankless hot water heater - By now you should have your tool box and be looking forward an enjoyable hot shower in a couple of hours.
Refer to this site for detailed installing a tankless water heater instructions.
Follow this link for more info on choosing the best home tankless hot water heater.
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