Pro and con for tankless water heater
A promoter's dream:
Spend $1000+ to save $1-8 a month
Spend $1000+ to save $1-8 a month
Pro and con for tankless water heaterA promoter's dream:
Spend $1000+ to save $1-8 a month |
|
| Type of heater | Saves energy | Unlimited hot water | Easy to convert | Water pressure | Particulate in water | Life Expectancy | Can
be
integrated with solar, geothermal, heat-pump or other energy source |
Temperature adjustment |
Whole
house tankless electric |
No savings Can cost more. Hard for electricity to heat water as water rushes past in pipe. See image |
-Yes- When unit not undersized with
optimal conditions -Not consistant with saving energy or water - No hot water in power outage |
No,
- Requires 90-120 Amps- Typical home electric service is 150-200 Amps (check main breaker to see amps of your service) - Upgrade service panel to convert to tankless electric. |
1/2-3/4 gal per minute water flow before
heater turns on Low pressure causes tankless to shut off elements |
High tech sensors can clog Succeptable to lime build-up. De-lime each year |
Claims of longer life not backed by
warranty. No warranty without plumber trained by specific manufacturer. Require surge protector |
No -Cannot store heat from other source -Always demand fossil fuel |
-Temperature
adjustment with dip switches. Read Page 4 Adjusting temperature can shut down elements if water cannot heat fast enough. |
Whole
house tankless gas |
Yes /$1-$8 month energy savings see hidden costs |
-Yes- When unit not undersized with
optimal conditions -Not consistant with saving energy or water - No hot water in power outage |
No,
Requires 1-1/4" gas pipe Requires air intake pipe Requires stainless-steel flue Requires 110V electric line Requires professional installation |
1/2-3/4 gal per minute water flow before
heater turns on Low pressure causes tankless to shut off burner |
High tech sensors can clog Succeptable to lime build-up. De-lime each year |
Claims of longer life not backed by
warranty. No warranty without plumber trained by specific manufacturer. Not proteced by FVIR Require surge protector |
No -Cannot store heat from other source -Always demand fossil fuel |
-Temperature
adjustment with dip switches. Read Page 4 Adjusting temperature can shut down burner if air, fuel and vent don't match. |
Regular
electric water heater |
Save 3-5%
operating cost by lowering thermostat 10º
|
-Heats 21 Gal per hour see chart - Stored hot water available any time. |
Regular electric water heater can be installed by homeowner | Hot water available with any flow or
pressure Allows water conservation |
Sediment build-up can be drained See how 'Self-cleaning' tanks available Corrosion-fighting anode rod inside each unit |
6-12+ years -No extended warranty without professional installation. -Homeowner can diagnose and repair same day using locally-available interchangable parts |
Yes -With minor pipe changes, storage water heaters store heat gathered from other sources |
-Simple to adjust temperature. Read |
Regular gas
water heater |
Save additional 4-9% operating cost by insulating tank | -Heats 41 Gal per hour see chart - Stored hot water available any time. |
Regular gas water heater can
be
installed by homeowner How to install gas water heater |
Hot water available with any flow or
pressure Allows water conservation |
Regular flushing and clean burner
maintains tank See how 'Self-cleaning' tanks available Corrosion-fighting anode rod inside each unit |
6-12+ years No extended warranty without professional installation. Homeowner can usually diagnose and repair using locally available parts Proteced by FVIR |
Yes -With minor pipe changes, storage water heaters store heat gathered from other sources |
-Simple to adjust temperature. Read |
|
|
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
 Check it out before you buy |
|
|||||||||||
