Gas Water Heaters, Tankless Gas Water Heaters | Rural Energy (2024)

FAQs

Do gas tankless water heaters use a lot of electricity? ›

For example, if a tankless water heater with a flow rate of around 8.5 GPM uses 150 watts per hour or 0.15 kilowatts per hour of electricity, and you only use it for an hour, it would consume that much electricity daily.

As we discussed above, the biggest downside of owning a Tankless Water Heater is its higher cost. The initial installation costs and the price of the unit are more expensive than a traditional Storage Tank Water Heater. Another downside of a Tankless Water Heater is that it has limited hot water.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Tankless Water Heaters

For homes that use 41 gallons or less of hot water daily, demand water heaters can be 24%–34% more energy efficient than conventional storage tank water heaters.

Now that you know tankless water heaters on average use 1.5 gallons of propane per day, you may be wondering how your other propane appliances compare.

The higher upfront costs, potential retrofitting requirements, limited efficiency, repair and maintenance challenges, bandwidth issues, delayed hot water delivery, and power outage concerns make tankless water heaters less favorable compared to traditional tanked heaters.

At present, a natural gas tankless water heater is about 10-15% cheaper to operate than an electric tankless heater. A tankless electric heater is generally cheaper than a propane tankless heater.

Depending on your tankless water heater's capacity, too many simultaneous hot water applications (such as multiple showers running) can overload your water heater. Your water heater may struggle to supply the hot water needed or shut down altogether if it becomes overloaded.

Because tankless water heaters, even gas models, need electricity in order to run and regulate, if the power goes out, then so does your hot water. If you live in an area prone to outages, a tankless water heater may not be the best choice.

Tankless water heaters usually last for around 15-20 years before they need to be replaced, but they may need replacing sooner if they start to break down or lose efficiency. Some common signs your tankless water heater needs to be replaced include: Low water pressure. Water doesn't get hot.

EASY 40 GALLON TANK REPLACEMENT

Finally a direct tankless replacement for a 40 and sometimes 50 gallon tank that can be installed in the same time as a tank type water heater is now available.

What is the difference between Tier 1 and Tier 2 tankless water heaters? ›

Tier 1 products are in compliance with ENERGY STAR basic requirements, while Tiers 2 and 3 offer additional features and higher minimum Energy Factor (EF). Are there incentives for gas tankless or condensing water heaters? No.

According to Energy.gov, “For homes that use 41 gallons or less of hot water daily, demand (or tankless) water heaters can be 24% to 34% more energy efficient than conventional storage tank water heaters.” Tankless water heaters (if gas-fired) will save homeowners over $100 annually the longer they remain in service.

You can't run out of hot water with tankless water heaters – unless, of course, the power supply is off or goes out. However, a tankless water heater can have trouble keeping up with demand if too many things require hot water all at once.

Temperature Is Too High

The most obvious reason for a high water heater gas bill is if the temperature is set too high. According to experts, most homeowners should keep water heater temperatures between 120 and 140 degrees F.

It is certainly possible for a water heater to increase your utility bill. Several factors can reduce the efficiency, including a unit that is too small, too old, bad water, or an incorrectly set thermostat can increase the energy bill. Leaks and long pipes can increase your water usage.

They can provide 24 to 34 percent more energy efficiency for homes that use 41 gallons or less of hot water daily, compared to traditional tank water heaters. They are a more environmentally friendly option. They can be more cost-effective for households that use a lower amount of hot water daily.

Savings when compared to gas storage water heater.

By heating water only when you need it, ENERGY STAR certified tankless water heaters save a family of four $95 per year, or $1,800 over its lifetime, on gas bills compared to a standard gas storage model.

The average hot water heater consumes around 5,000 watts of electricity. This varies depending on the size of the water heater and the age of the appliance.