Gas Water Heaters, Tankless Gas Water Heaters | Rural Energy (2024)

FAQs

Do gas tankless water heaters use a lot of electricity? ›

A tankless water heater uses between 20 and 50 kWh per month, depending on the size of the unit and the amount of hot water used.

EASY 40 GALLON TANK REPLACEMENT

Finally a direct tankless replacement for a 40 and sometimes 50 gallon tank that can be installed in the same time as a tank type water heater is now available.

Tankless water heaters are usually powered with electricity or gas. These types of water heaters were found to be 22 percent more energy efficient on average than the gas-fired storage-tank models in tests conducted by Consumer Reports.

A gas tankless water heater (natural gas) is only marginally cheaper to operate than an electric tankless water heater due to the exceptionally high thermal efficiencies of the electric units (99%+).

Because tankless water heaters, even gas models, need electricity in order to run and regulate, if the power goes out, then so does your hot water. If you live in an area prone to outages, a tankless water heater may not be the best choice.

The federal tax credit for tankless water heaters in 2024 is an excellent opportunity for homeowners to save money while investing in energy-efficient water heating solutions. This tax credit is effective from January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2032.

Switching to a tankless water heater can help you save on your energy costs, with potential savings of up to 50%, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Additionally, tankless water heaters are reported to be 24% to 34% more energy efficient than storage tank water heaters by the same source.

Tankless Water Heaters Heat Water More Efficiently

"They can be 8%-14% more energy efficient for homes that use a lot of hot water -- around 86 gallons per day." That greater efficiency can lead to an average of $108 in annual savings for gas-fired water heaters, and $44 in annual savings for electric water heaters.

The higher upfront costs, potential retrofitting requirements, limited efficiency, repair and maintenance challenges, bandwidth issues, delayed hot water delivery, and power outage concerns make tankless water heaters less favorable compared to traditional tanked heaters.

Which is better, a tankless or a tank gas water heater? ›

Energy efficiency

Standby heat loss is a big factor in higher energy costs and efficiency in storage tank water heaters, though purchasing an insulated unit can reduce heat loss. The US Department of Energy estimates tankless water heaters are 8 to 34% more efficient to run than storage water heaters.

Rinnai is arguably the best brand for gas-powered tankless water heaters, and with a maximum flow rate of 7.5 GPM, the RL75iN is a more suitable option for mid-sized homes or larger families.

The Lifestory Research 2024 America's Most Trusted® Water Heater ranking is based on 6,547 opinions of people surveyed in the United States over the last 12 months. The most trusted water heater brands in order were Bosch, Whirlpool, Rheem, GE, Kenmore, AO Smith, Ruud, Bradford White, and Rinnai.

One question that consumers commonly ask is: how much propane does a propane tankless water heater use? The short answer to that question is that a typical propane tankless water heater producing 40,000 BTU/hour will consume about 1.5 gallons of propane per day.

It is certainly possible for a water heater to increase your utility bill. Several factors can reduce the efficiency, including a unit that is too small, too old, bad water, or an incorrectly set thermostat can increase the energy bill. Leaks and long pipes can increase your water usage.

A typical 40 gallon electric water heater will cost anywhere from $200 per year for the most efficient models to $800 for the least efficient models, tankless models often cost less than $100 per year to operate.

By heating water only when you need it, ENERGY STAR certified tankless water heaters save a family of four $95 per year, or $1,800 over its lifetime, on gas bills compared to a standard gas storage model.

The higher upfront costs, potential retrofitting requirements, limited efficiency, repair and maintenance challenges, bandwidth issues, delayed hot water delivery, and power outage concerns make tankless water heaters less favorable compared to traditional tanked heaters.