Whole House Tankless Electric Water Heater Buyer’s Guide
As you shopped for a new whole house tankless electric water heater, you’ve almost certainly run into some unfamiliar industry terms that made browsing through each product listing difficult. This Buyer’s Guide should help clear up the confusion by providing straightforward definitions of many key terms you’ll need to pick out the best tankless water heater model that meets your hot water needs and budget.
Dimensions
While tankless electric water heaters are known for their compact form, you should still take the time to evaluate whether a prospective model will comfortably fit in your chosen installation location. In particular, you should determine if your chosen model will be conducive to hassle-free maintenance and adjustment once it is fully installed.
Flow Rate and Water Pressure (PSI)
When discussing tankless water heaters, flow rate refers to the amount of water a given model is able to heat and output in a given time. This is usually measured in gallons per minute (GPM), with a single gallon representing approximately how much water flows from a modern shower per minute.
Often, GPM ratings are presented alongside an evaluation of a given model’s pounds per square inch (PSI) rating. PSI describes how much pressure is exuded water as it leaves the heater. PSI can be seen a key indicator of how rapidly water flows from and exits an endpoint, such as a faucet or a showerhead.
Heating Capacity (kW)
Heating capacity refers to how capable a given water heater unit is of producing hot water to keep up with standard demands. Though this can also be evaluated in gallons, most listings indicate heating capacity in terms of the unit’s electrical input. A higher electrical output generally correlates with a higher capacity of cold water to hot water output.
Thermal Efficiency
Homeowners looking to optimize their electric use and save on their energy bills should take special note of thermal efficiency ratings. Often written as a percentage out of 100, these ratings describe how energy efficient a given model is at converting input electricity into heat. A higher rating (sometimes as high as 99%) can imply that a given unit is wasting less energy while in use.
Fuel Type
Water heaters can be powered by a variety of fuel sources today, including electricity, propane, and natural gas. While gas tankless water heaters have become more popular recently, electric models still remain the go-to for most builders because of the stable price of electricity in most regions. Also, electric models tend to be more energy efficient overall, indicating that they are cheaper to run over the long-term.
Warranty
When it comes to purchasing a new home appliance like a tankless heater, a quality warranty is essential. With a proper warranty, any unexpected breakdown in key components, such as heating elements, will be replaced at little or no cost to the owner. Without a warranty, though, owners should expect a much shorter lifespan that is dotted with higher maintenance costs.
Quick Tips
Here are the most important things to keep in mind when choosing a tankless electric water heater for personal use*:
- GPM and temperature rise determines size.
- The higher the unit’s energy rating, the higher the unit’s flow rate.
- Know the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of incoming water.
- Decide on an application.
- Point-of-use application, a single unit for one fixture/appliance, or multiple point-of-use sources.
- Whole-house application, a single unit serving an entire home with multiple fixtures/ appliances.
- Voltage and amperage should be compatible with electrical system.
- Know your climate requirements.
- The cooler the incoming water temperature, the higher the GPM rating needed.
- A higher GPM is more ideal for cold climates.
- For a more user-adjustable and accurate temperature reading, consider one with technological features, such as flow control and self-modulation
* For commercial use, look for units with high GPM that can provide a steady supply of hot water.
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