There are different misunderstanding and misconceptions about tankless water heaters that can easily result in choosing the wrong type of system based on the needs of your home.
The biggest mistake is believing all of these tankless designs are the right option for any type of home with any type of hot water needs. However, just as the volume of water needed makes a difference in the size of traditional types of tank hot water heaters, it also has an impact on the size and model of tankless heater.
The Basics
All tankless water heaters, which are sometimes called “instant on” or “on demand” hot water systems are designed to draw water through a burner system that is either powered by electricity or gas. The intake line coils through the elements to virtually heat the water as needed, but there are some considerations to keep in mind.
With their design, there is only so much water that can go through the heating system at one time. This is based on the diameter of the pipe that carries the water, the starting temperature of the water and the flow rate at the point of use.
For example, a typical bathroom faucet will run approximately one gallon of hot water per minute while a shower will use 2 plus gallons. The washing machine, during the fill cycles on hot, will use about 1.5 to 3 gallons.
The ground water temperature is warmer in the south than the north, which means less time to heat water. The higher the ground water temperature the less heat the tankless water heaters have to provide, allowing them to produce higher volumes of hot water.
Choosing the correct size of tankless heater will allow you to have a constant supply of hot water during peak usage. In large households with multiple people, it may be necessary to have more than one tankless heater to ensure a continual supply of hot water.
