Tankless Water Heaters

Gas. Gas water heaters are usually more economical than electric heaters because gas is generally less costly than electricity on a per-Btu basis. Gas tankless systems also have wider applicability because they produce hot water at higher flow rates. However, centralized tankless systems will often require capacity upgrades to the gas supply. Two types of tankless gas heaters currently offer particularly high performance: hybrid tankless heaters and tankless condensing heaters.

Hybrid water heaters generally have a small tank that’s attached to a tankless unit. Cold water enters the bottom of the tank, flows through the tankless unit to be heated, and then returns to the top of tank to be used. The result is improved efficiency and higher output performance than a standard tank-based water heater.

Condensing tankless water heaters, on the other hand, essentially work the same as standard gas tankless heaters. The difference is that these systems redirect the burned gases through another heat exchanger and condense exhaust air in order to maximize heat output, rather than immediately venting the exhaust fumes. Because the exhaust temperature is much lower than other tankless systems, less expensive polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes can be used for venting. In addition to saving money, this also simplifies installation. Companies that currently produce condensing tankless water heaters for residential use include Noritz, Navien, and State (PDF).

Electric. In general, electric tankless heaters are only for point-of-use applications, whereas tankless gas heaters can be installed for both point-of-use and centralized applications. Be aware that depending on its capacity and usage, an electric tankless system could push your facility’s electricity usage into a new rate class, and you could incur new or increased demand charges. This is particularly relevant given that most hot water use occurs during peak demand periods. In general, electric tankless heaters are best suited for locations with low electricity prices and relatively warm groundwater temperatures of 60° to 70° Fahrenheit (F) (typically found in southern states).

Efficiency. The term “energy factor” characterizes the efficiency of both tank and tankless water heaters. The energy factor is the portion of the energy going into the water heater that gets turned into usable hot water under standard conditions. It takes into account heat loss through the walls of the tank, up the flue, and in combustion. Typical energy factors for different types of water heaters are shown in Table 1. The higher the energy factor, the more efficient the heater.

Table 1: Energy factors for water heaters

Because tankless water heaters don’t have the losses associated with tanks, their energy factors are normally higher (although well-insulated, ultra-efficient tank heaters also have high energy factors).

Standing pilot or electronic ignition. Gas water heaters either operate with a standing pilot or an electronic ignition that triggers the burner only when it’s needed. Gas tankless water heaters with standing pilot lights generally waste energy, but they can be cost-effective in applications where water use is high—a hair salon, for example. Where water use is lower (as in a residence), use a tankless water heater with an electronic ignition.

Energy inputs. Electric heating element and gas requirements for tankless water heaters are much larger than for storage water heaters. A typical gas storage water heater has a gas input of 40,000 Btu per hour (h). A centralized gas tankless heater, though, will require at least 160,000 Btu/h and so may require larger gas lines and vents than conventional water heaters. The switch to larger gas lines in a retrofit may make the installation cost-prohibitive if the unit is installed far from the gas meter. Similarly, although a typical heating element for an electric storage water heater draws at most 7,000 watts, a centralized electric tankless heater can draw as much as 38,000 watts and may require upgraded copper wiring and possibly upgraded electrical service.

Pick the right size and fuel type. The method for sizing tankless water heaters is different from that for storage water heating equipment. Choose an appropriate model based on peak demand, incoming water temperature, and desired outgoing water temperature. Most water heater purchases are centralized units, but in some cases a point-of-use unit is desirable to cut down on the waiting time for hot water when a sink is a long way from the main water heater. For point-of-use installations, an electric unit is likely the best choice because it doesn’t require venting. Centralized units that are advertised as “whole-house” can be used in commercial applications with small loads despite being marketed to residential customers. (See Figure 2 for example flow rates and temperature rises of gas and electric tankless units.) When choosing a water heater, select one that best accommodates your flow rate and temperature rise needs.

Figure 2: Tankless water heater flow rate comparisons

Gas tankless water heaters can provide hot water at higher flow rates than electric tankless heaters. When choosing a tankless model, be sure that flow rates will meet your peak demand at the temperature rise you need.

To figure out your peak demand, list the number of devices you expect to draw hot water at one time, and add up their flow rates. This is the desired flow rate for the demand of water. For example, let’s say you want a tankless water heater to operate a shower and two sinks at the same time. Assuming your peak demand is 2.5 gpm for the shower and 0.75 gpm for each sink, your total peak demand would be 4 gpm. Knowing your flow rate can also be helpful in some large-load applications, where you may be able to install multiple units to accommodate demand.

Optimize for low-flow fixtures. Specifications for tankless water heaters include requirements for minimum flow rates to activate them—usually around 0.5 to 0.75 gallons per minute (gpm), as well as minimum and maximum water pressure (usually 15 to 150 pounds per square inch). Be aware of low-flow fixtures in your facility when selecting a tankless unit to ensure that your water heater will operate effectively at the relevant flow rates.

Calculate cost-effectiveness. Gas tankless water heaters can be cost-effective, especially when used in high-water-use applications and new construction where incremental installation costs are lower than retrofit applications.

Analysis of a hypothetical situation reveals that payback periods for tankless heaters are significantly longer in lower-water-use applications than in high-water-use applications. In the example shown in Table 2, tankless water heaters have paybacks ranging from approximately 8 to 25 years in low-water-use applications compared to approximately 2 to 6 years in high-water-use applications.

Table 2: Cost-effective applications for gas tankless water heaters

For a conventional 50-gallon residential-size gas tank unit, the installed cost is approximately $600. The incremental costs for an installed gas tankless unit differ depending on whether the unit is installed in a new building, replaces a failed unit in an existing building, or replaces operable equipment in a retrofit. The installation costs for replacements are typically much more expensive than for new construction, because frequently the gas line will need to be replaced due to the higher input capacity, the venting system will need to be replaced, and there will be electrical requirements as well that require hiring an electrician. In a retrofit application, where a tankless water heater is installed in place of an operational existing water heater, the economic calculation must account for the full cost of the new unit.

Tankless heaters become more attractive when replacement costs are considered, because tank water heaters must be replaced between 6 and 10 years and tankless heaters last about 20 years, according to manufacturers.

Plan ahead. Even if your building’s water heaters are not in need of replacement, it’s wise to decide what your preferred replacement product will be ahead of time. Planning ahead is particularly important if you’re considering a tankless water heater retrofit because the installation process can be more complex than a standard replacement. Being prepared to make a decision quickly when the time comes will streamline the replacement process.

Although several condensing tankless water heaters are currently available, more are likely to be developed over the coming years. As more of these systems enter the market, prices are falling, making them more competitive and shortening payback periods.

We also expect that hybrid water heaters will become a major player in this field going forward. Hybrid heaters combine the best features from the standard tank water heater and the tankless unit: reliable supplies of hot water provided by small storage tanks at the high energy efficiencies of tankless heaters. With their high efficiencies and never-ending water supply, hybrids are an appealing option for many applications. As costs come down and more options become available from a variety of manufacturers, they are bound to gain more traction in the water heating market.

Here is a partial list of tankless water heater manufacturers.