• Total cost of operating the unit
Compare your local electric costc with the cost of  natural gas
or propane in your local area? In most cases, gas is
less expensive than electricity- DO NOT OVER THIS…as this will be the major factor in the total operating cost of your tankless waterheater.

• Heating Capacity
How much hot water do you really need ? Most gas powered units produce enough hot water to run two or three flows at the same time and also offer the ability to chain several units together to make a higher capacity system. A typical electric unit has enough capacity to run one or two flows at the same time.

• Installation Cost and Complexity
Does your home present unique installation requirements ?  Perhaps you are tight on space ? Should the unit go inside or outdoors? Gas tankless water heaters can be wall mount or floor mount  installations, use more space, and could require exhaust vents to the outdoors, while electric units are usually small, wall-mounted, and do not have complex venting needs.

• Buying the most Energy Efficient model
Most gas fired units claim 85-90% efficiency, while electric powered  units claim 99%+
efficiency. Both gas and electric tankless heaters bost fully modulating heater coils. This features allows the unit to use a minimum of energy when demand is low. Many gas units, and some electric ones have earned ENERGY STAR® status.

Choosing a tankless water heater can be intimidating. Both the volume of information and the number of technical specifications can make it difficult to find the right one for you. One common question when selecting a tankless water heater is what type of venting is most appropriate for your application. While there really is no right or wrong answer there are some ways to help you choose the option that will suit your needs best.

Use the following information to help determine which is best for your application and remember, if you have any other questions feel free to drop us a line…help@waterheaterstankless.net

Like anything with a flame, air is essential in supplying the oxygen needed for the combustion process. In a tankless water heater the precise control of air flow to the burner, as well as the exhaust rate from the appliance is essential for it to operate at peak efficiency. Over time, environmental and natural occurrences can change the air flow causing imperfect combustion which wastes energy, can be potentially hazardous and is environmentally destructive. Many indoor (non direct vent) installations can suffer from the intake of contaminated air from within the home. One common issue for gas appliances installed indoors in cold climates is that a lack of combustion air (air used to keep the flame burning), entering the building can cause a negative pressure in the building. This causes cold air to be pulled down through a vertical or horizontal flue. In the case of a tankless water heater this causes freezing damage which can be expensive to repair. Direct vent models are isolated from the inside of the home and eliminate both of these possibilities.

While this is just one example, there are many factors to consider when choosing the vent type for your application.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

Non Direct Vent Indoor (Fan Assisted)

• Uses an electric fan (or blower) to push flue gases to the outdoors.
• Pulls oxygen needed for combustion from the inside space.
• Fan assisted indoor gas appliance design allows for horizontal or vertical venting.

Direct Vent Indoor (Fan Assisted Sealed Combustion)

• Combustion air is supplied to the gas burner directly from the outdoors.
• The heater itself has a sealed cover and does not use any air from the space where it is installed.
• Two pipes, or one concentric pipe (pipe within a pipe) opening, run from the water heater through the wall or roof of the home; one for exhaust, one for fresh air intake.
• Used where tight construction may cause various appliances to compete for the same air.
• Can be vented vertically or horizontally.

Outdoor

• Water heater receives combustion air from the environment around it and expels exhaust the same way.
• We recommend these models for warm climates only.

Now that you have a basic idea of the things to consider when choosing a vent type, feel free to explore more of the website.