Tankless electric water heaters come in a large range of capacities, and are offered by a large number of manufacturers. Where they really shine is point-of-use (POU) applications. As the name implies, point-of-use tankless water heaters are installed right where the hot water is needed. This might be for a kitchen sink, entire bathroom, or washing machine application. POU water heaters provide hot water instantly, eliminating the wait time that’s associated with traditional tank and even gas tankless water heaters . This puts them at an efficiency advantage, as only the hot water needed is utilized.

Generally speaking, electric tankless water heaters cost less to purchase, as gas-fired units often require the routing of gas lines and special venting construction. This can make for a more complicated and expensive installation. Electric tankless installation may require additional circuits and larger gauge cable, due to increased power draws.

When it comes to providing hot water for an entire house, gas tankless water heaters are usually the better choice. Electric tankless water heaters require a high electric power draw, and with the cost of electricity exceeding that of gas, the edge goes to gas-fired units. Going with highly efficient point-of-use set up for an entire house is just too costly at this point in time, as you’d have to install units at every hot water source. However, electric tankless water heater installation does not involve the complications associated with gas tankless water heaters.

When determining whether an electric tankless water heater is right for you, it really comes down to your
intended use. If you’re looking for a point-of-use set up, the electric tankless models are the obvious choice. Conversely, a gas tankless unit is probably more suitable for whole house needs. In fact, both might be a good fit for you, as it’s not unusual to see both gas and electric used in combination, as they both have their advantages.

The gas-fired variety of tankless water heaters run on your choice of either natural gas or propane. They’re activated by a water flow sensor, supplying a constant supply of hot water. The capacity of the gas tankless water heater determines the maximum flow rate of the tankless unit. Since gas units offer superior capacity and flow rates than electric tankless water heaters they are often more appropriate for whole-house applications. Moreover, with gas prices at lower rates than the cost of electricity, gas tankless water heaters can be the right choice when providing hot water for an entire house or large commercial application.

When it comes to installing a gas tankless water heater there are certain installation requirements that must be met. You’ll need to have the installer customize for a direct vent, combustion, and gas line requirements. This can make what seems like a simple installation, a complicated one. And, although, installation venting kits can be purchased from your tankless water heater manufacturer, it should be noted that there are often unique customization requirements. Large gas units should be located centrally, so that hot water runs are minimized. Electric tankless water heaters hold the location advantage, as they benefit from point-of-use heater location. For obvious reasons, it’s important to have a qualified professional handle your gas unit installation.

When it comes to selecting a gas-fired unit there are several factors you’ll need to consider. You’ll need to determine the volume of water that you’ll need to heat. This flow rate can be measured rather easily in gallons per minute (GPM). Your GPM can be measured by simply timing how long it takes your facet to fill a gallon of water. Other factors include how cold the water is when it enters the gas unit and how hot the water is as it exits the unit. Some gas-fired units operate via a pilot light, this can put you at a disadvantage when it comes to energy savings. To avoid these standby energy losses, you can go with a model that has an intermittent ignition device (IID). These IID’s operate via spark ignition, much like a kitchen range. The capacity and efficiency of the gas-fired model are important variables, as well. If your flow rate somehow exceeds that of your selected model, you can supplement with point-of-use electrical units, or even run gas units in parallel.

Selecting a tankless hot water heater is not a black and white issue. It’s more about what’s best for your particular application. Gas-fired tankless water heaters certainly come with their advantages (most notably whole house applications) but many electric units are more appropriate for certain applications. When selecting your tankless water heater, consider your needs first, and the choice of gas or electric accordingly.

Gas tankless water heaters are most commonly utilized for whole home applications. Gas units provide the flow rates and power necessary to supply an entire home with hot water. Since natural gas costs are significantly cheaper than electricity, gas type units hold the advantage over electrical tankless applications, when it comes to the efficiency of supplying an entire house.

You can choose a gas tankless water heater based on your fuel type (natural gas or propane). It is important to remember certain venting and combustion requirements when selecting a gas tankless hot water heater. Gas venting kits can be purchased from the manufacturer of your tankless hot water heater . These kits are not an easy solution, however, as all homes are quite unique.

Electric tankless hot water heaters provide some advantages that their gas counterparts can’t match. When utilized in a point-of-use (POU) application they are tough to beat. Because they are located right where the water is needed, they provide instant hot water, with no hot water wasted, or left in the pipes. As a result, they are more efficient than there gas counterparts, when utilized as a POU device. They are also very practical when utilized for remote needs, such as a hot tub or far reaching location. Unfortunately, it’s too cost prohibitive to install POU electric tankless water heaters at every sink, bath, kitchen, or laundry. So, they may lose out to gas when it comes to an entire house application, but they certainly have their advantages.