Converting to Gas and Electric Tankless Water Heaters

Nothing is worse than jumping in the shower and getting soaped up, only to feel the water getting colder and colder. You can eliminate that problem with a tankless water heater. Since the water heater doesn’t have to keep water in a tank warm, you get hot water when you turn it on, and the hot water lasts forever, no matter how many people use hot water at the same time.

With a regular hot water heater, you use electricity to keep the water in the tank hot 24 hours per day. As it cools the heating element comes on to heat the water up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. When you use the hot water, the tank refills with cold water – up to 50 gallons. The heating element has to come on again to heat that 50 gallons.

Differences Between Tankless Water Heaters and Tank Water Heaters

Gas and electric tankless water heaters are becoming more popular in households across the united states. there are many differences between the two types of water heaters, and it is important to understand these before converting your home’s water heater.
gas tankless water heaters are powered by either natural gas or propane. they use a burner to heat up water as it flows through a series of coils. the main advantage of gas tankless water heaters is that they have a very high flow rate and can provide an endless supply of hot water.
electric tankless water heaters work similarly to gas models, but instead use electricity to heat the coils. electric tankless water heaters tend to be smaller and more compact than gas models, making them a good choice for homes with limited space.

Before you buy a gas or electric tankless hot water heater, you’ll want to know which one is worth the investment. Since a tankless gas water heater uses less electricity, you already have a savings. Because the gas version gives you hot water on demand, it saves you up to 50 percent in energy costs.

Additionally, you don’t have to worry about the tank filling up with sediment, nor do you have to worry about it leaking. The best water heaters feature built-in pumps that circulate, which means that you have “instant” hot water. The newer heaters also feature wireless connectivity, which allows them to notify you via your smartphone if the water heater needs maintenance.

Gas vs. Electric tankless water heaters? Which one is the Best?

There are a few key considerations when comparing gas and electric tankless water heaters, such as initial cost, fuel type, and maintenance.

Gas tankless water heaters typically cost more than electric models, but they also tend to be more energy-efficient. Gas is also the preferred fuel type for tankless water heaters because it can provide a continuous flow of hot water. Electric tankless water heaters may require larger electrical service panels, and they may not be able to provide as much hot water as gas models.

Maintenance is another important consideration when choosing a tankless water heater. Gas models require regular venting and flushing to prevent corrosion, while electric models need to be descaled periodically to remove mineral buildup.

How a Tankless Water Heater Works

In a nutshell, as soon as you turn on the hot water tap when you have an electric on-demand water heater or a natural gas tankless heater, the flow sensor in the water heater senses the water flowing through the heater. The sensor tells the control panel to turn on the fan, open the valve, and turn on the burner for gas-powered tankless heaters. The heat exchanger uses heat from the flame to heat water going through the tubing. A mixing valve adjusts the temperature. A temperature sensor adjusts the gas and mixing valves to give you hot water at the requested temperature.

Determining the BTUs Needed for Your Home

Before running out and buying a tankless heater, you need to make sure you get an on demand water heater with enough BTUs to support your needs. The plumber will help you figure what you need by looking at the temperature of the water going into the water heater, what the peak demand is, and how efficient the water heater is.

Estimated usage is 190,000 BTUs for two to three people and two bathrooms. If you have more than three people, you might want to buy a heater that puts out 380,000 BTUs. The plumber also looks at how many gallons per minute fixtures use. A shower head uses up to 2.5 gpm, a kitchen sink uses up to 2.2 gpm, and a tub faucet uses up to 4 gpm. A dishwasher uses up to 2.5 gpm, while a washing machine uses up to 3 gpm.

If your household uses a lot of hot water, even if you are only two or three people with two bathrooms, you’d be better off buying the gas version with more BTUs than recommended. The cost can be recouped in a few years because of the energy you’ll save by not having a heating element constantly running.

Pros and Cons of a Tankless Water Heater

The best thing about a whole house tankless system is that you can turn any water source into hot water. And, it doesn’t take up a lot of space. Other benefits include:

• Lower energy bills – up to 50 percent depending on several factors, including whether you choose an electric or gas water heater, how many you install, and how much water you use.
• They last longer than the tank-style hot water heaters.
• They take a lot less space.
• You always have clean water since they do not allow rust and scale to build up inside the tank.
• No more standby heat loss.
• You get hot water in 15 seconds or less.
• Tankless water heater installation is easier than installing regular water heaters.

The cons of a tankless heater include:

• They are sensitive to slow-flowing water. If the water flow is reduced to 0.3 gpm because of scale buildup, the hot water heater will shut itself off.
• It takes a bit longer to recover your investment, though because they last longer than a hot water heater tank, you do recover the investments of tankless water heater installation cost.

How do I choose between GAs and Electric Tankless Water Heater?

There are many reasons to switch to a tankless water heater, but how do you know if a gas or electric model is right for your home? Here are a few things to consider when making your decision:

-Cost of installation: Gas tankless water heaters typically cost more to install than electric models.

-Upfront costs: Electric tankless water heaters may have a higher upfront cost than gas models, but they often qualify for state and local rebates.

– Operating costs: Gas tankless water heaters typically have lower operating costs than electric models.

– Climate: If you live in an area with cold winters, a gas model may be the better choice as it can provide a continuous flow of hot water even in freezing temperatures.

What are the benefits of converting to gas and electric tankless water heaters?

Homeowners who are looking to upgrade their water heater have a big decision to make. To gas or electric? And then, once that’s decided, should they go tankless?

Tankless water heaters have many benefits over traditional tank water heaters. They are more energy-efficient because they only heat water when you need it. They also take up less space because they don’t have a tank of water sitting around waiting to be used. And, they can provide an endless supply of hot water.

So, what are the benefits of converting to a gas or electric tankless water heater?

Gas tankless water heaters tend to be less expensive than electric models and are often easier to install. They also tend to have a longer lifespan than electric models.

What are the costs involved in converting to gas and electric tankless water heaters?

The cost of converting to a gas tankless water heater is between $1,500 and $2,000. The cost of converting to an electric tankless water heater is between $2,000 and $3,000. The higher cost for an electric tankless water heater is due to the fact that an electrician will need to be called to install a new electrical panel.