Better Homes & Gardens recently released its review for The 3 Best Tankless Water Heaters. We were happy to be one of the pros they contacted to learn more about tankless water heaters in general. Here are our tips when it comes to choosing a tankless water heater.
Why should homeowners choose tankless water heaters? – Efficiency, lower operation costs, and unlimited hot water are big pluses.
What are the cons of a tankless water heater? – Typically, higher cost initially is required, and maintenance is required more frequently.
How long does a tankless water heater last? – It’s hard to say precisely. When properly installed by a pro, Rinnai warrants the heat exchanger for 12-15 years.
Which types of households can benefit from a tankless water heater? – Those with large families and multiple showers can benefit—no more cold showers for the last one in the shower. A single tankless can usually supply three normal showers at the same time. Another great benefit is for those who aren’t using hot water often. When you are away, it’s not heating water or using energy.
Which types of businesses can benefit from a tankless water heater? – Tankless water heaters are an advantage due to their efficiency and ability to continuously use large amounts of hot water, like in restaurants where dishes are done for long periods.
When might it be better to choose a standard tank water heater? – Tank heaters can be more affordable and are a great choice when only electricity is available. We don’t find electric tankless to be a good option in most situations.
How many bathrooms can one tankless water heater handle? – It’s based more on actual use than bathrooms. Tankless water heaters are rated in Gallons Per Minute or GPM. Don’t let the ratings fool you, though; a tankless that produces 9 GPM in the southern states may only produce 6.5 in the northern climates because the water is colder going into the heater. It’s best to look at BTUs and efficiency, not just GPM. The largest standard tankless will be 199,000 BTU and 98% efficiency is possible for many brands.
Read on to see the final systems chosen by the BHG reviewers.