A tankless water heater is a highly efficient and space-saving solution for providing hot water on demand. Unlike traditional tank water heaters, tankless water heaters do not store hot water, but rather heat it as it flows through the unit, providing a never-ending supply of hot water. However, choosing the right size tankless water heater for your home can be a challenge, and making the wrong choice can result in poor performance and increased energy costs. In this article, we will discuss how to determine what size tankless water heater is right for your home.
How Tankless Water Heaters are Compared
Tankless water heaters are compared by their gallons per minute (GPM) flow rate, which measures how much hot water they can provide in a minute. The GPM flow rate is determined by the amount of hot water used by appliances in your home. For example, if you have a washing machine and a dishwasher that use hot water at the same time, you will need a tankless water heater with a GPM flow rate of at least 5 GPM.
GPM Demands of Common Appliances
To determine what size tankless water heater, you need to know the GPM demand of the appliances in your home that use hot water. Here are the GPM demands of some common appliances:
- Dishwasher: 2-3 GPM
- Sink: 1-2 GPM
- Washing Machine: 2-5 GPM
- Shower: 1-2 GPM
- Tub: 2-3 GPM
- Jacuzzi: 5-6 GPM
Consider the simultaneous use of these appliances when determining the GPM demand of your home. For example, if you have a family of four, it’s likely that two or more people will be using hot water at the same time, whether for showering, doing laundry, or washing dishes.
What to Consider
In addition to the GPM demand for your appliances, there are other factors to consider when choosing a tankless water heater:
- Climate: If you live in a cold climate, you may need a larger tankless water heater to ensure a steady supply of hot water. This is because colder incoming water will require more energy to heat to the desired temperature.
- Size of your home: The size of your home and the number of people living in it will also impact what size tankless water heater you choose. A larger home with more people will require a higher GPM flow rate to meet the hot water demands.
- Energy efficiency: Look for a tankless water heater with high energy efficiency ratings to reduce your energy costs. The energy efficiency of a tankless water heater is measured by its thermal efficiency, which is the percentage of energy used to heat the water that is actually delivered as hot water.
Conclusion
In conclusion, choosing the right size tankless water heater is essential for ensuring a steady supply of hot water and reducing energy costs. By considering the GPM demands of your appliances, the climate, the size of your home, and energy efficiency, you can choose the best tankless water heater for your needs and enjoy the benefits of this highly efficient hot water solution for years to come. Call Windy City Rooter to schedule the installation of your tankless water heater and don’t forget to check out our Google reviews!
