Tankless Water Heater Sizing
Tips - Why Size Matters
Yep. Just as with many other things in life, getting your tankless water heater sizing right influences the performance of your tankless water heater.
Why Tankless Water Heater Sizing Matters
If you are thinking about purchasing a tankless water heater and have always had traditional hot water heater tanks, you may have a difficult time making sense of the tankless water heater sizing.
You are not purchasing a 40 gallon tank, which is what you're use to.
Therefore, with the tankless units, you are not interested in gallons, as it means nothing in the tankless world in regards to how much it holds.
Getting The Tankless Water Heater Sizing Right Is Crucial For Your Family
Choosing the right size for your family is crucial, because you have to estimate when your peak time of hot water consumption is at your house.
For instance, if you are a family of five, mornings may be your peak time if everyone showers in the morning.
On the other hand, if you have very small children, you probably bathe them in the evenings, plus you are using hot water for cooking.
- Therefore, evenings may be your peak hot water consumption.
- Your peak consumption matters in the tankless water heater world.
Tankless Water Heater Measures In GPM, Not Gallons
Tankless water heater measures in GPM, not gallons, so your sizing depends on how much GPM you may use for a showerhead or the bathroom faucets.
You may find two units are required to meet your family's GPM requirement.
- Of course, if you have a very large family, you will require a larger unit and may want to look into a gas or propane tankless unit.
The Size Also Depends On Where In The Country You Live.
For instance, if you live in a warmer climate like California, the ground water is warmer to begin with, but living in Alaska, obviously the ground water is much colder.
- The temperature rise is determined by the ground water, the colder, the more the temperature has to rise in order to be hot enough for your family.
To Get Your Tankless Water Heater Sizing Right, Take Inventory Of Your Home
Take inventory of your home of the various places hot water can come from, remember to include the kitchen, bathroom showers, faucets, and washing machine.
Next, estimate each devices flow rate or about how many gallons per minute you need.
It is better to estimate higher than too low, in other words, do not list the bathroom faucet as only needing a pint, because you would probably be estimating too low.
Also Factor In Your Desired Hot Water Temperature
You will also want to determine your desired temperature of the hot water.
For instance, if you are planning to add a tankless water heater for your elderly parents, you probably can get away with a higher temperature output than if you were installing one for a young family of five.
When In Doubt, Contact A Professional To Help Ensure That You Make The Right Tankless Water Heater Sizing Decision
If all of these figures makes your head spin, you can always enlist the help of a professional to help estimate the tankless water heater sizing you may need.
Many manufactures offer this estimate free of charge, if you end up purchasing a unit from them.
Here's To Your Tankless Water Heater Success!
P.S. Here's A Few More Tips To Make Your Tankless Water Heater Experience A Success...
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