Table of Contents
What size water line do you need for a tankless water heater?
Typically, tankless water heaters require a ¾-in. or 1-in. supply line. An old house may have only a ½-in. main supply line.
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. they cannot provide hot water during a power outage.
Can you have a tankless water heater with electric?
Tankless water heaters are available in both electric and gas-fired versions. The owner of a vacation home that’s not used very often questions whether an electric model would be a good choice.
Can tankless hot water heaters be electric?
There is a potential to save energy with electric tankless water heaters. The electric tankless unit will only heat the water that you use and does not have the standby heat loss that typically comes with traditional tank-type products. Electric tankless products do work in cold climates.
Can you use half inch pipe for tankless water heater?
1 Answer. Yes, you can in most cases. Water heaters have 3/4″ connections to allow for increased flow and pressure where it’s needed and where the pipes are larger, but that doesn’t mean your plumbing has to match. The heater will flow at the same rate (more or less) as a straight run of 1/2″ pipe in your case.
How many Btus CAN 1.5 inch pipe carry?
1″ Pipe = 7.5 GPM = 75,000 BTU/hr. 1-1/4″ Pipe = 12 GPM = 120,000 BTU/hr. 1-1/2″ Pipe = 20 GPM = 200,000 BTU/hr. 2″ Pipe = 45 GPM = 450,000 BTU/hr.
Will a tankless water heater work with a 1/2 gas line?
Rinnai Tankless Water Heaters typically require a 3/4″ gas line to provide a sufficient gas supply to the unit’s burner. However, if there is sufficient pressure and the gas line is short enough, there are some cases where a 1/2″ gas line can be used, which is the most common size used in the United States and Canada.
Do you need an electrician to install a tankless water heater?
You might also need to hire an electrician, depending on the type of tankless water heater you’re installing, whether you already have the necessary hookups in place, and the plumber’s skills. Either way, you should get estimates from several contractors before you select one or two to do the installation work for you.
How much does it cost to have a tankless water heater installed?
A tankless water heater costs about $2,258 to install, or between $1,175 and $3,365, but labor rates vary. Tankless model prices vary by brand, type and flow rate. The best way to budget for a new tankless water heater is to compare quotes from local contractors.
How much does it cost to install a tankless gas water heater?
The gas tankless water heater installation cost would be in the $1200 to $3000 range if switching from electric to gas. You do save about $250 because you do not need a tempering valve installed with a gas tankless water heater installation.
How often do tankless water heaters need maintenance?
Keeping up with maintenance, including tankless water heater cleaning, should take place at least once a year. You may need to take care of other tasks, such as wiping down the exterior of the unit, more often, especially if the area where you install the water heater receives a lot of dust.
What is the life expectancy of a tankless hot water heater?
Most tankless water heaters have a life expectancy of more than 20 years. They also have easily replaceable parts that may extend their life by many more years. In contrast, storage water heaters last 10–15 years.
Do tankless water heaters need maintenance?
Tankless water heater maintenance is a must and should be done at least once a year. Also commonly referred to as an on-demand water heater, the tankless water heater may need maintenance every six months if your water heater is set to a high temperature or if you have hard water.
Are electric tankless water heaters cost effective?
Tankless water heaters save money in the long run, but initial costs are higher than tank models. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates gas-fired tankless heaters save an average of $108 in energy costs per year over their traditional tank counterparts, while electric tankless heaters save $44 per year.
How much power does an electric tankless water heater need?
Unfortunately, the average electric tankless water heater needs at least 120 amps to operate and the average household’s total capacity is 200 amps. This means you will have to upgrade your electrical system to accommodate for the larger load demand, which could cost you up to $1,500.
How far can you run 1/2 inch gas line?
This chart allows a 200,000 BTU gas appliance to be installed on a ½-inch gas line up to 40 ft. in length.
How far can you run 1 inch water line?
Re: Most DEPENDABLE water line? 400 feet is too long for a 1″ pipe in most cases. I would increase it to 1 1/2″ or even 2″ to avoid the pressure loss caused by that distance. At that size, PVC is about the mose economical and if installed properly will give few problems.
What size should a water supply line be?
In most cases, the main pipeline from the street to your home is either 3/4 or 1 inch in diameter, supply branches use 3/4-inch-diameter pipe, and pipes for individual components are 1/2 inch. Remember that water pressure decreases by a half-pound per square inch for every foot pipes extend above your water supply.
