| Electric tankless hot water heaters come in very | | | | models may not be very economical in northern |
| useful sizes - from something that looks like a loaf | | | | climates. But even in such cases there are ways |
| of bread to some the size of a PC. All have the | | | | to adapt: |
| capability of providing instant hot water on | | | | Limiting hot water usage to one or two faucets |
| demand. | | | | at a time decreases the need for a more costly |
| Installing a tankless hot water heater while a new | | | | tankless hot water heater |
| home is under construction makes good sense, | | | | Minimizing pipe runs and insulating accessible pipes |
| especially for gas units that require more to make | | | | reduces heat loss. |
| them operational. Some require a larger gas line as | | | | Passive preheating water before it taken in by |
| well as category III venting materials. Some have | | | | the water heater saves energy |
| exhaust and fresh air as a combined system. | | | | The principle of a tankless hot water heater is |
| Tankless hot water heaters are also a good | | | | simple; it turns on when you need it and turns off |
| choice for most retro projects, and should be | | | | when you don't. No wasted energy. If you are |
| considered a good choice for second homes and | | | | interested, ask around, home improvement reps, |
| weekend retreats where the percentage of | | | | friends and neighbors may have information to |
| standing hot water is wasted. | | | | share, and this can be very useful because |
| Tankless hot water heater models offer great | | | | installing a tankless hot water heater is a local |
| savings in in a variety of ways. For instance, the | | | | matter. |
| compact size means less natural resources are | | | | Pin down the cost |
| needed for manufacturing. Parts are replaceable, | | | | Costs can vary, everything from rates your |
| opening the possibility that the tankless hot water | | | | utilities charge, to labor for installation. The |
| heater you buy today may be the last one you | | | | difference in energy rates between gas and |
| will ever need. And probably one that you can | | | | electric utilities vary by state. Statistics from the |
| repair yourself, with mail order parts, if you | | | | DOE show that natural gas rates have been on a |
| choose. | | | | steady increase for the past decade. Propane is |
| Here are a few other advantages: | | | | even more expensive. |
| - No wasted energy | | | | Electric is much cheaper in some states than |
| - Longer life | | | | others. All this makes choosing a gas or electric |
| - Smaller models for single source use | | | | tankless hot water heater a local matter. |
| - Less corrosion and deposits | | | | But once you do the results become global. |
| - A way to avoid peak energy charges | | | | Environmental issues pop up almost daily in the |
| Less is more | | | | media so that we are becoming conscious of how |
| Even shipping translates into an advantage. | | | | much the planet needs our support. And if you |
| Because of their size and weight, tankless units | | | | are like me, you are reminded every time you |
| are not as affected by factors such as rising | | | | put the trash out. This is why I was happy to |
| transportation costs. An electric whole house | | | | discover tankless water heaters. A tankless hot |
| tankless hot water heater can be shipped to your | | | | water heater means I'm doing something good |
| home, and be operational the same day. | | | | for the environment and with no hardship to me. |
| If there is a downside it could be that electric | | | | Sounds like a win-win. |