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Do I need to upgrade my gas line for a tankless water heater?
Tankless water heaters provide hot water on-demand. Gas units require a gas line, adequate combustion air, a vent to remove combustion gas and an electrical outlet to power the unit. While they last longer than tank-style water heaters, they are more costly to install and often require upgrading your gas line.
How much does it cost to install a natural gas tankless water heater?
Gas tankless water heater cost Gas tankless water heater installation costs $700 to $4,600 total on average. Natural gas systems are the most energy-efficient water heaters with annual operating costs of $150 to $260 and provide higher GPM than electric models. Most gas units are eligible for a $300 federal tax credit.
Can you install tankless water heater yourself?
Installation. While it is possible to install your own tankless water heater, it’s not a job for inexperienced do-it-yourselfers. There are a number of different sizes and styles of tankless water heaters, including propane, natural gas and electric, along with single-room or whole-house sized models.
What size gas line is needed for a tankless water heater?
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 tankless water heaters have to be installed outside?
Yes – there are outdoor tankless water heater units that are made to withstand the elements BUT – it is recommended that electric tankless water heaters be provided with some form of shelter.
Is a tankless water heater worth the cost?
Energy Use and Efficiency Tankless: Gas and electric tankless water heaters run more efficiently than the conventional water heaters of the same fuel type. We rated the annual energy consumption cost Excellent for a gas model but only Fair for an electric, but both rate Very Good for energy efficiency.
Why is tankless water heater installation so expensive?
Installation is expensive because the unit needs a bigger gas supply than a conventional water heater does, and it needs to run its own exhaust flue to the exterior. Installation costs can vary widely, depending on the location of the flue and the gas supply. The unit itself costs between $800 and $1,000.
Does a tankless water heater save money?
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.
What size breaker do I need for a tankless water heater?
A gas tankless water heater only needs a 15-amp, 120 volt dedicated single-pole breaker for this purpose.
How much does it cost to convert to a tankless hot water heater?
An electric tankless unit will cost about $500 to $700, roughly the same as a traditional tank model, while the cost of a gas tankless heater runs about $1,000 to $1,200. Beyond the initial cost, the national average for the installation of a tankless unit is slightly over $1,700.
How long does it take to install a tankless water heater?
Additional time is required to install new power and water lines and air vents. Afterward, the tankless unit must also be mounted and connected. Tankless to Tankless Installation: This generally takes between one to three hours.
What happens if gas line is too small?
An undersized gas system can cause poor performance in the appliances. It could cause the burners to soot, pilots lights and burners to go out, or cause condensate to form in the heat exchanger of the furnace or water heater.
Can you use PVC to vent a tankless water heater?
The Rinnai Sensei tankless water heater offers 14 possible venting configurations and can use PVC, chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC), or polypropylene venting. They tolerate higher temperatures up to 194 degrees and 230 degrees Fahrenheit, respectively, and can be used with condensing tankless units.
How many Btus can a 3/4 gas pipe carry?
Steel Pipe – Schedule 40 Capacity of Pipe (MBH ≈ CFH) Pipe Size (in) Pipe Length (ft) 3/4 0.824 50 1 1.049 100 1 1/4 1.380 219.
Can a tankless gas water heater be installed inside?
Electric tankless water heaters are designed to be installed indoors in the garage, basement, or interior wall. Both natural and propane gas tankless water heaters have indoor and outdoor models. Indoor models can also be installed in the garage, basement, or the exterior wall’s interior side to provide venting.
How far does a tankless water heater need to be from a window?
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.
Can you install a tankless water heater anywhere?
Tankless water heaters can be installed anywhere inside your home. You can even have a tankless water heater in a bathroom! Some families with larger homes choose to install two, one for each floor, for example. Because of their small size, they fit in closets, cabinets, pantries or laundry rooms.
Can a tankless water heater fill a tub?
Please remember that tankless water heaters also come in different sizes, and you need to get a unit that will deliver a strong flow to the tub. A small tankless water heater can take a long time to fill a large tub. Whatever way you choose, at least now you’ll finally be able to relax in a nice, hot whirlpool tub.
How big of a tankless water heater do I need for a family of 3?
What Size Tankless Water Heater Do I Need For A Family Of 2, 3, 4, 5, Or 6? Number Of Family Members: Gas Tankless Heater Size (GPM) Electric Tankless Heater Size (kW) What size tankless water heater do I need for a family of 2? 6-8 GPM 10-18 kW What size tankless water heater do I need for a family of 3? 7-9 GPM 15-23 kW.
Do tankless water heaters need electricity?
Tankless water heaters have a built-in PC board and digital remote that need electricity to operate the water heater. Tankless water heaters also have a direct electric ignition that uses 120v power that lights the burners as hot water is needed. If the power is out, the ignition system will not operate.
