December 29, 2016

Upgrading from a storage tank-style water heater to a tankless or on-demand appliance can help lower your household energy usage. Before you have that new water heater installed, though, you need to consider whether your home needs more than one. You can start by comparing how the two different types work:

  • Storage tank water heaters keep 40–80 gallons of water heated and ready to use. This allows you to take a shower, and use the kitchen sink, washing machine and dishwasher at one time. When the tank empties, though, it may take an hour or longer before more hot water is available.
  • On-demand water heaters don't start heating water until you open a hot water faucet or turn on an appliance. Tankless units will never run out of hot water, but most can only supply one–two fixtures/appliances at a time.

Sizing Considerations for Tankless Water Heaters

You may find that a single tankless unit that puts out 2.5–5 gallons per minute (gpm) isn't sufficient if you currently have a storage tank model that supplies 7.5–9.5 gpm. Here are some factors that impact sizing and whether you need multiple water heaters:

  • Peak demand. Calculating your home's peak hot water demand isn't difficult. Simply turn on all your appliances and taps and note how long your hot water supply lasts. Take that figure and divide it into the gallon capacity of your existing water heater tank, as in 60 gallons ÷ 15 minutes = 4 gpm of peak demand.
  • Home size. If you have a fairly small home with one to two bathrooms, a single tankless water heater with a flow rate matching your peak demand gpm may be all you need. For a larger home with three or four bathrooms, it may be necessary to install two tankless units in parallel.
  • Supply distance. To supply fixtures and appliances located far apart without significant delivery delays or energy losses, it's often better to install multiple, point-of-use water heaters.

For expert advice about water heater sizing and whether your Hampton Roads-area home needs more than one, contact us today at Russell's Heating & Cooling. Our goal is to help educate our customers in Chesapeake, Virginia and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about water heaters and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 757-750-1831. Credit/Copyright Attribution: “guilaine/Pixabay”

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    Dan & Connie, Virginia Beach

  • I recently had your team install a new gas package unit including all new duct work at my house in Chesapeake. I had a split system that had undersized ducting which was removed by your installers.

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  • Everything went great! This is the second big project we've had done through Russell's and we couldn't be more happy! We had the most dedicated, polite, and respectful crew! The team consisted of Elliot, Chase and Sean. Sean was here for the removal process on day one, and did awesome!

    J. Luhan, VA Beach

  • Hi Nate, please pass along our appreciation for you, Elliot and Steve. We are very happy with you being able to arrange our ( Lennox ) replacement system so quickly!

    T. Johnson, VA Beach

  • Thank you for running a top notch company and sending over to us two excellent folks Terry and Shawn. They did an awesome job putting in our new furnace system. Also thank you for Donald and Nate who did a superb job as well. Please reward these guys with some sort of commendations or rewards....

  • ...folks need to know how wonderful working with Russell's Heating & Air Conditioning is. They were very professional all the way thru the process of getting our unit installed down to the payment plan. I have been telling our neighbors and my co-workers about the experience.

    Pamela F., Chesapeake, VA

  • Every moment from the time an appointment was set up until the day the work was completed was a pleasure. Every employee was a delight to work with. The proof that the product was great came when the electric bills started coming in the airconditioning season.

    Douglas P., VA Beach

  • I am extremely satisfied with both the Lennox unit I purchased and the employees of Russell's. Even with poor window and door quality in this overly tired house, I am actually cooled off sufficiently enough to call it chilly.

    Robin W., Chesapeake, VA

  • Over the years I have gained the utmost trust in my service technician Corey Lesko's knowledge and work ethic while servicing my system.

  • I am writing this letter to commend your company on a great job! We were very pleased with how the company performed in every area...the installers did an impeccable job. They were very knowledgeable, efficient, and hard workers—staying focused to the task in the extreme heat.

    Pastor Larry E. O'Brien, Churchland Assembly of God

  • A year ago, I contracted with Russell's to tune up and clean the heating and cooling system. How impressively your specialist cleaned my system...he also found a defective automatic (programmable) thermostat. Quite quickly, he replaced my automatic thermostat. The results?

    R. Snider, Norfolk, VA

  • You recently installed a new Trane unit for us. We want you to know we are completely satisfied. The outside unit is now a hum versus the roar of the old one...we also want to recognize the installer...we cannot overstate what we think of his workmanship.

    K. Hawkins, Portsmouth, VA

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    B. Fenstermaker, VA Beach

  • Everyone was very nice. I felt well informed about my purchase. Your staff is great! I don't usually return opinion forms, but you need to know you have a staff you can be proud of!

    V. Horn, Chesapeake, VA

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    G. Knoop, Chesapeake, VA

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    Ms. Bright, Chesapeake, VA

  • Your workers actually made this total replacement project an enjoyable learning experience...they were always willing to stop and answer any questions. Their pleasant and cooperative attitudes cannot be praised enough!

    J. Wellons, Portsmouth, VA

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    T. Marsh, VA Beach

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