Let us begin by saying there are many great, reputable companies that manufacture and distribute Tankless Water Heaters, including Rinnai, Norwitz, Takagi and Rheem/Ruud (our exclusive brand for conventional water heater installations).  Each of these companies has a strong product line.  At this time, we do not exclusively recommend one brand over another.  That said, in this article we will be exploring Tankless Technology through the lens of the Rinnai brand.

Today, homeowners want multiple shower heads and even larger garden tubs.  With a shower head flow rate of about 2.5 gallons a minute for whirlpool or soaker tubs with more than a 70 gallon capacity, the old-technology 50-gallon tank can’t do the job.  With a Tankless Water Heater, you get up to 9.5+ gallons of hot water per minute.  And, the hot water temperature is consistent and never ending!  Individual temperature controls give homeowners the flexibility to change the temperature in different locations of their home.  Just imagine...never ending hot water in the kitchen, bath or laundry room and at the exact temperature you desire.

You don't use hot water 24 hours a day.  But if you own a conventional water heater, you're paying to heat water 24 hours a day.  With a conventional water heater, you heat and reheat the same water even when you're sleeping.  A tankless water heater is a more efficient way to heat water.  It heats water quickly and delivers an endless supply of hot water for as long as you need it.  With a tankless water heater, you only pay to heat water when you need it and for as long as you want it. 

Right now, in this time of global awareness on energy conservation, is the perfect time to consider the switch to tankless technology.  Tankless water heaters can operate electrically or on either natural or propane gas.  The gas models are the more energy efficient.  To support this, the federal government offers up to $300 in tax credit to homeowners who switch to tankless.  Additionally, the natural gas companies usually offer incentive credits to customers as well.  These incentives can help drive the cost of installation down. 

Many communities are already setup for natural gas.  For these homes, installation is quick, clean and easy.  If your home is not equipped for natural gas, don’t worry.  These units run great on propane and getting set up with propane service is easy and affordable.  Tankless heaters can be installed inside or outside the home and can be used to service the entire home or a single area or appliance as a point-of-use unit.  There are many upgrades to the technology including re-circulating pumps and even floor and driveway heating.  Of course, we don’t have much of a use for that here in Florida but it’s nice to know it’s available.

You may have heard that tankless heaters are more expensive than their conventional cousins.  That is a double-sided truth.  They are usually more expensive to install, though the many rebates and tax credits available help neutralize this.  And they are cheaper to maintain.  So when seen as a long term investment, they are the more economical choice.  One thing is certain, the new technology is here and it is changing everything about the business of heating water.