Due to recent technolgy advances, electric tankless hot water heaters have become more efficient than ever. They are now being used for multiple residential and commercial applications. But, what applications are they most suited for?
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.
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April 8th, 2011 at 8:16 am
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