<font size="3" color="#990000"><strong>Tankless Water Heater: Endless Hot Water or Shameless Hype</strong></font> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: ‘Verdana’,’sans-serif’; letter-spacing: 1pt">Tankless Water Heaters have become a really hot topic in the last couple of years (I know, that was a really bad pun).<span> </span>The claims range from "endless hot water" to huge savings on home energy bills.<span> </span>It almost sounds too good to be true, like just more of the marketing hype we’ve all become used to.<span> </span>Are tankless water heaters really the best thing since sliced bread or just another passing fad?<span> </span>The answer may depend on how you use hot water.</span></p><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: ‘Verdana’,’sans-serif’; letter-spacing: 1pt"><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><strong>How Can Higher Efficiency Equal Higher Gas Bills?</strong></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">It is certainly true that tankless water heaters, technically speaking, really are more efficient than most tank type water heaters, even if the manufacturers’ claims might be a little optimistic.<span> </span>Their higher efficency comes from not having to use any energy keeping a tank full of stored water hot. That would seem to make it a no-brainer that a tankless will save money on energy bills.<span> </span>In spite of this, some people have actually reported higher gas bills after installing a tankless.</p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"> </p><div style="text-align: center"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,29,0" width="425" height="282"><param name="movie" value="../images/banners/4b.swf" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="menu" value="false" /><param name="wmode" value="" /><embed src="../images/banners/4b.swf" wmode="" quality="high" menu="false" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="282"></embed></object></div> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><strong>The World’s Longest Shower</strong></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">The reason that some people don’t see any actual energy savings with a tankless heater is actually due to one of the stated benefits of tankless: endless hot water.<span> </span>That’s right, some people actually see their gas bills go up because more hot water is being used since there’s more available now.<span> </span>(This phenomena has been reported to be linked with the presence of teenage girls but there is no scientific data to support this yet.)<span> </span>Showers that used to be cut short by the hot water running out can now be extended virtually indefinitely.<span> </span>So if you want to go tankless to save money you should be aware that this is a possible issue.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><strong>Endless Hot Water?</strong></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">That brings us to the other big sales pitch for tankless water heaters: endless hot water.<span> </span>Can that really be true?<span> </span>No more cold showers after the tub<span> </span>has been filled or the laundry has been going all day?<span> </span>Well, yes…with a few restrictions.<span> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><strong>Temperature vs. Volume</strong></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Since almost all tankless heaters are designed to maintain a desired outlet temperature, they have to restrict the flow through the heat exchanger to do so.<span> </span>This means that there is a limit to how much hot water they can provide at a given temperature rise or "Delta T".<span> </span>Basically, if you try to use more hot water at one time than the heater can provide it will limit the output volume to maintain the desired temperature.<span> </span>This could leave you in the shower, with shampoo in your hair, thinking you have been suddenly teleported to a cheap hotel.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><strong>Sizing Is Important</strong></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">The good news is that this problem can be avoided by properly sizing the tankless water heater and, in some cases, by using more than one heater.<span> </span>The bad news is that tankless water heaters are fairly expensive and two will probably cost, yep, twice as much as one.<span> </span>I don’t, however, want to make the issue sound bigger than it is.<span> </span>Most 2-3 bath houses will be just fine with one properly sized tankless water heater.<span> </span>If you have more than 3 baths or showers and expect them to all be used at the same time, or if you have a master shower with lots of body sprays and extra shower heads, you will probably need at least two units.<span> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><strong>Figure Your Demand</strong></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">It’s pretty simple to do the math.<span> </span>Just figure 2.5 gallons per minute for each shower head and 1 gallon per minute per each body spray.<span> </span>Check the literature for the brand heater you are considering and find the output in gallons per minute (GPM) at the temperature rise you need.<span> </span>A 60 degree rise will cover most situations, find out your winter cold water temperature.<span> </span>Make sure you will have enough flow volume to meet your needs from one unit.<span> </span>If not you will need two.<span> </span>These figures are pretty close for tubs and showers less than 10 years old, if your’s are older it is a good idea to<span> </span>measure how much water they are putting out.<span> </span>Just use a bucket and a watch with a second hand.</p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"> </p><div style="text-align: center"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,29,0" width="425" height="282"><param name="movie" value="../images/banners/3c.swf" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="menu" value="false" /><param name="wmode" value="" /><embed src="../images/banners/3c.swf" wmode=&qu
ot;" quality="high" menu="false" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="282"></embed></object></div> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><strong>Take A Look At Your Lifestyle</strong></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">The main lesson here is that it is important to take a good look at your hot water usage habits when you are trying to decide on tankless.<span> </span>This will help you to find out if you would have to make any compromises in your lifestyle to take advantage of the benefits of a tankless water heater.<span> </span>They really are more efficient and as long as you don’t start taking super long showers a tankless should save you money. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Copyright 2008 Bryan Stevens</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><strong>About the Author</strong></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: ‘Verdana’,’sans-serif’; letter-spacing: 1pt">Bryan Stevens is a Licensed Master Plumber and Certified Green Plumber with a knack for teaching homeowners how to do their own basic plumbing repairs. He has created a very helpful mini-course called "How To Unclog A Toilet And Other DIY Plumbing Tips". Claim your FREE copy here: <a href="http://www.basicplumbingrepair.com/" target="_blank">How To Unclog A Toilet</a></span></p></span>
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