Tankless water heaters are generally more energy-efficient than ones that use a storage tank. Tankless water heaters only heat water when you need it, which leads to the use of less electricity in the long run. However, how much less electricity you use depends on several variables. Let’s explore the different scenarios that can cause you to use a lot, or a little, amount of electricity when using a tankless water heater.
Is It Gas or Electric Powered?
Tankless water heaters are available in electric and gas-powered formats. The type of water heater you install in your Canton, OH home will have a big impact on how much electricity is used. An electric water heater passes water over an electric heating element before sending the warm water through the pipes. A gas-powered water heater uses propane or natural gas to heat the water as it passes through a heat exchanger.
While an electric water heater will use more electricity, a gas-powered unit still has many components that require electricity. Sensors, the control panel and the ignition system are some of the components of a gas-powered tankless water heater that still require electricity to operate.
Flow Rate of Water Heater
Tankless water heaters operate on a metric known as flow rate. This is the measure of how much water passes through the heater during a specific time frame, typically measured in gallons per minute. The flow rate of your water heater will have a direct impact on the amount of electricity it consumes. However, it is important to keep in mind that the more water fixtures you have that need hot water at the same time, the higher the flow rate you will need. If you want to run your shower while also running your dishwasher, you will need a water heater with a high enough flow rate that will provide a continuous stream of hot water. If you are looking to install a new tankless water heater, our team can help ensure you install one with the right flow rate for your hot water needs.
Household Demand
The amount of demand you place on your tankless water heater will also play a role in how much electricity it uses. If you live in a home with a lot of hot water fixtures, such as showers, faucets, dishwashers and washing machines, and operate them simultaneously, you will consume more electricity. This is something to consider if you have a large family and plan to run several hot water fixtures at once.
Inlet Water Temperature
Another factor that plays a role in how much electricity your water heater uses is the temperature of the water as it enters the system. If you live in a warm climate, or it is the summer season, the inlet water will be a warmer temperature than if it were the middle of the winter. This means that your water heater needs to do less work to heat the water up to the target temperature, resulting in less electricity being used. Conversely, in the winter, you can find that your water heater requires more electricity to heat the cooler water up to the same target temperature. If your water heater is located a considerable distance from the inlet water source, you should consider insulating your water pipes. This is a good way to help prevent the inlet water temperature from dropping before reaching the heater.
Desired Output Temperature
While a hot shower on a cold winter day may feel comforting, you need to make sure your temperature setting isn’t set too high. The higher you set the output temperature, the more electricity your water heater will use. The difference between the inlet water and your target water temperature is known as the temperature rise. You can obtain this number by subtracting the inlet water temperature from the target output temperature. Knowing this number is important because most tankless water heaters are designed to handle raising the water temperature within a specific range. If you keep your hot water demands within the recommended range by the manufacturer, your water heater will operate more efficiently and use less electricity. As soon as you raise your target temperature too high, or your inlet water temperature drops too low, you will see your system uses more electricity to heat the water flowing through it.
Efficiency of Your Specific Unit
The efficiency of your water heater has a direct correlation to the amount of electricity it uses. Every model of water heater has something known as its energy factor, which is an efficiency rating calculated by the ratio of hot water output to the energy consumed. If you install a tankless water heater with a low EF, your system will use more electricity to heat the same amount of water to a specific temperature than one with a higher rating.
Certain components and design features can impact a water heater’s efficiency. It is important to know the differences between makes and models if you are concerned about the amount of electricity your water heater will use. Our team at Beck Electric, Generators & Plumbing can help you install a new tankless water heater that is the right size for your home and offers the correct efficiency so that you are not using more electricity than is necessary.
How Well Is the Unit Maintained?
If you live in an area with hard water, you are more likely to see a buildup of sediment within your system. This sediment typically gathers near the heat exchanger in a tankless system and can greatly reduce the efficiency of your system. When these mineral deposits form near the heat exchanger, they can block the transfer of heat and force your system to work harder and consume more electricity. Working with us to descale your water heater is a great way to remove this buildup. Our team of highly trained plumbers can flush your system and use a descaling solution that will get your hot water operating at peak performance again. We will be sure to follow the manufacturer’s specific instructions to prevent any damage to the internal components and ensure the longevity of your water heater.
Do You Need Help With Your Tankless Water Heater?
Tankless water heaters are a terrific alternative to systems that use a storage tank. They offer more options when it comes to where you can install the water tank in your home as well as reduce the chances of dealing with flooding issues due to leaks. Beck Electric, Generators & Plumbing has been in business since 2007 and has been helping homeowners enjoy the benefits of tankless water heaters since this time. We pride ourselves on delivering top-notch service with excellent customer service. We are a family-owned business and understand the importance of having a well-maintained house with properly functioning plumbing. While we can help with your hot water needs, we are more than just a plumbing company. We offer electrical services like repairs, panel upgrades and surge protection to ensure the safety of your home’s electrical grid. We can even install a whole-house generator if you do not want to worry about losing power for an extended period. Contact us today to see how we can help with your hot water needs.
