Should we switch to a tankless water heater?
Switching to a tankless water heater has many perks including lower operating costs, and they take up less space. Here are some reasons why you should consider a tankless water heater. #1 Lower Operating Costs. The way a tankless water heater is designed to work is that it heats up water on demand.
How hard is it to install a tankless water heater?
Tankless water heater installation takes 3 to 10 hours for a new install or 2 to 4 hours to replace an existing tankless unit. Tankless water heaters are not as easy to install as storage tank models because they require upgraded gas supply lines, new venting, and a new electrical outlet.
Where should I install a tankless water heater?
- Choose a location for the new water heater that will allow you to vent it to the outside easily. ...
- Build a mounting box out of 2 x 4 lumber and 3/4-inch plywood that will allow you to mount the new tankless water heater about four inches out from the ...
- Mount the tankless water heater securely to the mounting box per manufacturer’s specifications.
Do I need a permit to install tankless water heater?
While you may not need a permit specifically for a tankless water heater installation in your area, chances are good that you need a permit to replace a water heater in general. This is the first thing you need to sort out before you do anything.
How much space is needed around a tankless water heater?
As a general rule of thumb any gas tankless water heater that uses internal combustion air musts have at least 10,000 cu. ft. of space around the unit. Confined areas (such as a closet) may require air ducts or additional air inlets.
How far off the floor does a tankless water heater need to be?
NOTE: It is recommended to install the bottom of the unit at least 18″ off the ground to minimize blockage and maintenance from debris and provide room for the optional Pipe Cover Accessory Model Number AGTPCM.
Can I install a tankless water heater in a closet?
Your tankless water heater can be installed just about anywhere! Due to the small size of your water heater, it can be mounted in many small spaces, including closets, under sinks, in pantries, or under stair storage areas.
How much ventilation does a tankless water heater need?
4. Outdoor tankless water heaters don't need venting. In warmer climates, it's easy to install a tankless water heater outdoors, with no additional venting required. Tankless units are designed to withstand below-freezing temperatures through self-warming capabilities that prevent freezing and cracking.
How high does a gas water heater have to be off the floor?
18 inchesYour gas water heater should be 18 inches off of the ground, as per the National Fuel Gas Code. This is the standard for water heater installation requirements.
Do tankless water heaters require a floor drain?
A tankless installed in a garage, outdoors, in a mechanical room with a floor drain, or unfinished basement, would not require one. However, those installed in interior closets, attics, utility rooms, or closets adjacent to finished spaces should always have one.
How close can things be to a water heater?
Don't … Store combustible materials within 18 inches of your water heater. Flammable items placed closer than that could potentially catch fire.
What is the downside of a tankless water heater?
The main disadvantage of tankless water heaters is their upfront cost (unit and installation) is significantly higher than tank-style heaters. Including installation, tankless water heaters cost 3 times more than tank-style water heaters on average.
Where should I put my tankless water heater?
The ideal location for your water heater is inside the home. Most installations are small and unobtrusive so they will easily fit in a pantry, under the stairs, or under your sink. If you must place the water heater outside, make sure it's safe from direct sunlight, rain, and insects.
Can a tankless water heater vent go down?
Tankless water heaters can vent through the roof or a side wall, creating more flexibility and options for placement. Traditional gas tank water heater require venting through the roof. Tankless water heaters use fans to blow exhaust from the unit horizontally, allowing vents to terminate on the side of a house.
Can I use PVC to vent my tankless water heater?
In most cases, PVC makes a great venting material. It's the least expensive option and is easy to install. And it's a good reason to consider a high-efficiency condensing unit.
How far can you vent a Rinnai tankless water heater?
Vent lengths up to 100' with seven TWH units; 41' with 12 TWH units using 6" diameter venting. There are easy push fit joints—no cement or glue required.
Do You Need a Permit to Install a Tankless Water Heater?
While you may not need a permit specifically for a tankless water heater installation in your area, chances are good that you need a permit to replace a water heater in general. This is the first thing you need to sort out before you do anything.
Do Tankless Water Heaters Need a Vent?
The type of tankless water heater will determine if you need a vent or not.
Venting Requirements for Tankless Water Heater
This is easily the most important part of the decision on where to install a tankless water heater. Not only for staying within code requirements, but also to maximize your efficiency and keep your usage expenses to a minimum. As well as possible savings on the installation itself.
Tankless Water Heater Location Code
The installation code for a tankless water heater varies a lot by location. Since it would not be economical of me to provide the codes for every town in the United States and Canada, let me just give an example.
Tankless Water Heater Vent Clearances
If the unit is vented to the outside then it needs 12 inches of clearance from a door or window. If the window does not open, the tankless water heater clearance from a window requires a 12-inch setback.
Can You Vent a Tankless Water Heater through a Chimney?
Your tankless water heater cannot share a vent with any other furnace. It has to have its own venting pipes.
Requirements for Tankless Water Heater Installation Outside
If you live in an area where it is warm most of the year, or at least doesn’t dip below 32°F for more than a few days, then you’re probably better off with an outdoor tankless water heater.
Indoor Installations
A tankless water heater requires a 4-foot clearance from the side or below a door or window that opens, unless the unit is directly vented to the outside. If the water heater is installed above the door or window, it needs 12 inches of clearance. A direct vent installation only requires a 12-inch setback from the door or window.
Outdoor Installations
Outdoor installations are only suitable in mild climates where the temperature does not drop to freezing in the winter. When installed on the outside of the house, the tankless water heater must have 12 inches of clearance from any operable door or window. The setback from an inoperable window varies according to local building codes.
Other Considerations
In addition to window and door setbacks, tankless water heaters should not be installed near dryer vents or intake air vents. If the heater is installed between buildings, there must be a minimum clearance of 2 feet and the unit cannot be directly across from a window or door in the facing wall.
Additional Requirements
While these setbacks are the minimum requirements, your local building codes may have additional setback requirements. A tankless water heater also requires a building permit before it's installed.
The On-Demand Water Tank
Tankless models don’t come equipped with a large storage tank. Instead, on-demand water heaters heat water directly as it flows through the cold water line. So, when you use hot water, you’re basically activating the water heater.
Maintenance Needs
How long do water heaters last? These water heaters can last over twenty years, but that’s with regular maintenance. Because most manufacturers often market these water tanks as no maintenance or low maintenance, most people fail to properly maintain them, which can have a major impact on the water heater’s longevity.
What is Hard Water?
Hard water simply means that the water in your area is loaded with minerals, mainly magnesium and calcium. With on-demand water heaters, minerals will build up inside the heat exchanger. Over a period of months, minerals will plug up the passages where the water flows, significantly affect water flow speed.
Does My Tankless Water Heater Need Routine Maintenance?
Even higher priced, top of the line tankless water heaters such as the Rinnai RUC98iN Ultra Series require ongoing maintenance. To learn more, read the user’s manual and check out the recommended frequency and specific maintenance needs.
Pro Maintenance Needs
We recommend having the water heater professionally serviced. During a routine maintenance visit, a pro will delime or descale the water heater in order to remove any mineral buildup around the heating elements.
Is Your Water Heater Set Too High?
If you’re not sure if your water heater is set too high, check it with a thermometer to see what temperature it’s set at. If the temperature is higher than one hundred and twenty degrees, then it’s probably time for routine maintenance.
Do it Yourself Maintenance
If you prefer doing the routine maintenance yourself, make sure you read the included user’s manual for maintenance care instructions.
