A tankless water heater is a great home upgrade and can improve comfort and utility savings. When you start shopping, it can be tricky determining what size to purchase. An undersized unit won’t provide the function you need, and an oversized unit can waste energy. Use the following tips to help you with your decision.

Choosing Tankless Water Heater Size

1. Know How Many Devices Will Use It

First, determine how many home devices will use hot water. This includes washing machines, dishwashers, sinks, and showers. Try to also determine how many will likely run simultaneously. You can then hone in on the flow rate you’ll need. Tankless heater flow is measured in gallons per minute (gpm). On average, faucets use 2.75 gpm and showers use 2.75 gpm. If these are running simultaneously, realizing you don’t use all hot water in your shower, you mix cold with it, you’ll need a tankless heater that can produce enough flow.

2. Know the Desired Temperature

Temperature rise determines how much the appliance will need to do to produce water at a desired temperature. If incoming groundwater has a standing temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit, for example, and you want a 105-degree shower, the temperature rise is 65 degrees. Water heaters will provide their temperature rise capabilities so you know you’re getting the power you need.

3. Determine Home Size & Users

Next, apply, the gpm and temperature rise to the number of users. If three family members will shower in succession in one bathroom each morning, it won’t matter because you will have endless hot water. If all three will be showering at the same time, you’ll need greater temperature rise and gpm capabilities. Consider how many bathrooms you have and, more importantly, how often they’re used. In some cases, guest bathrooms are rarely used and won’t need to be factored in.

If you need assistance purchasing and installing a tankless water heater, our team at All American Plumbing can help. As a full-service plumbing company, we’ll determine the best unit for your needs and ensure it’s optimized for lasting service. We bring over 30 years of experience to Concord, NC, customers, and our licensed and insured staff can also help with plumbing repairs, water softeners, and more. Explore our complete services on our website and call (704) 788-8690 to schedule an inspection.