Tankless Water Heaters Contribute to Residential Energy Efficiency - 7/5/2004 - House Systems Water Heaters

Tankless Water Heaters Contribute to Residential Energy Efficiency

Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the council is a network of regional and state propane gas associations across the country and it is a member of the National Council of the Housing Industry — the Supplier 100 of NAHB.

Tankless water heaters eliminate “standby losses” from traditional storage tank-type heaters that operate by raising and maintaining the water temperature within the tank, the council says. Even when no hot water is drawn from the tank, the heater maintains the standing water’s temperature — typically between 120 and 140 degrees.

The amount of energy wasted to heat standing water can equal 10%-20% of a household’s annual water heating expense, according to the propane council. Overall, hot water accounts for 20% or more of a home owner’s annual energy costs.

Commonplace in Japan and Europe, tankless water heaters are now available throughout the United States.

“Propane tankless water heaters are another great way for builders to offer home owners innovative new technology that increases energy efficiency and customer comfort,” said Jim Hitzemann, chairman of the Propane Education & Research Council’s Home Builder Subcommittee, Huntersville, NC. “Just as importantly, they are versatile and easy to install.”

Tankless water heaters also save space. At the 2004 International Builders’ Show, Rinnai tankless propane water heaters installed in the 5,300-square-foot Ultimate Family Home required 16 fewer square feet of space than a comparable conventional tank heater. Another space-efficient model by Takagi Industrial Co. USA provides 240 gallons of hot water per hour and occupies only 2.2 cubic feet of space.

Installation is easy for builders, the council says. Manufacturers now produce energy-efficient propane-fueled direct-vent models, requiring no chimney or vertical venting. And most tankless water heaters have a life expectancy of more than 20 years, compared to 10-15 years for storage tank water heaters, which are also labor-intensive to replace.

Most propane-powered tankless water heaters provide three to five gallons per minute of hot water, allowing for custom installation as a whole-house water heater, a hot water source for a remote bathroom or hot tub, or even as a boiler to provide hot water for a home heating system. Tankless water heaters are also versatile enough to be used in separate structures — indoor or outdoor — such as greenhouses or garages.

“Propane retailers across the country can help builders learn more about models of tankless water heaters, as well as installation options,” said Hitzemann. “Plus, propane retailers can help builders throughout planning and construction.”

To learn more about propane tankless water heaters, or to find a local propane retailer, click here.

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