Understanding the benefits of a propane tankless hot water heater system
A tankless propane water heater provides comfort, versatility, convenience and efficiency by supplying high volumes of hot water with compact and highly innovative technology.
These systems eliminate standby energy losses that occur in storage tank systems because they heat water only on demand. A propane instant water heater is compact in size, provides superior energy efficiency and delivers an endless supply of hot water.
Tankless water heaters can average a flow rate of about 222 gallons per hour, more than three times higher than a standard 50-gallon electric storage tank water heater’s delivery rate of 62 gallons in the first hour. This dramatic difference in performance can mean the difference between taking a hot shower and a cold shower!
Why a propane tankless water heater?
- Tankless water heaters deliver an endless supply of water.
- Their compact size saves roughly 12 square feet of floor space.
- These systems are on demand, so they heat water only when it’s needed. That feature eliminates standby losses that occur in systems with hot water storage tanks like the typical electric water heater.
- They save more than $150 per year in energy costs compared with typical electric storage water heaters.
- They have 50 to 60% lower CO2 emissions compared with electric storage tank systems.
- Propane tankless systems also qualify for rebates, which can make them even more cost-effective.
How a tankless water heater works
A propane tankless water heater uses a flame so hot you don’t need to keep water sitting in a storage tank, eating up energy dollars while it waits to be used. You simply turn on a hot-water faucet. A flow sensor will activate a propane gas burner to heat the water. The heating will continue until you turn off the faucet, at which point the gas burner shuts off.
Two great options for propane tankless water heaters
Noncondensing Tankless System
- uses a single heat exchanger to heat water on demand
- efficiency rating is generally in the mid-80% range (compared to an old 40-gallon tank that is about 60% efficient)
Condensing Tankless System
- uses two heat exchangers
- secondary heat exchanger captures extra heat before it escapes into the vent system
- extra heat is transferred to heat incoming water that flows through primary heat exchanger
- efficiency rating is generally in the mid-90% range, about 10–15% higher than a noncondensing tankless unit
Find out which water heater is best for you.
