Here are some of the most common questions we get regarding hot water heaters
What are some other options for heating hot water in our homes besides a traditional electric hot water tank?
The most common unit we install is tankless, know as “on demand”. The appeal is that they can produce endless hot water. The water is heated by running through a central coil in the unit that is most commonly powered by natural gas.
Are all tankless heaters powered by natural gas?
While you can get electric on demand heaters, the amperage required to heat the water is well over 100 amps, meaning it’s not an efficient choice as you most probably need to upgrade the electrical panel in your home.
What are some other ways to heat water in your home.
There are traditional tank units powered by natural gas, oil and indirect sources such as a boiler or heat pump. Less common units can be heated by geothermal or a solar apparatus.
So with all these options what is the most efficient way to heat hot water for my home?
The tankless on demand unit is currently the most cost effective way to heat water. This is due to the fast that natural gas is still relatively inexpensive and you are only heating the water you need at a given time.
What is the typical process for installing a tankless unit in my home?
We offer a complementary site visit to assess your options and make sure it is the best choice for your home. The units themselves require vent pipes to run from the unit to the outside as well as a natural gas lines from the unit to the gas meter. There is also electrical hook up for the fan and the igniter.
If I have a gas hot water tank can I use the gas line from that for my new tankless unit?
Possibly but in most cases the gas line for the hot water tank is too small and will not produce enough volume. This is due to the fact that a tankless unit uses a lot of gas for a short period of time to heat the water quickly. In most cases a new larger gas line will need to be installed.
What is the difference between brands and sizes of tankless units?
Choosing a brand and size depends on a variety of factors such as typical water usage and number of bathrooms etc.. We would be happy to discuss options in detail for any prospective customer.