If you’re looking to upgrade your home’s water heating system, a tankless water heater can be an excellent choice. Unlike traditional water heaters that store hot water in a tank, tankless water heaters heat water on-demand, which can help you save energy and reduce your utility bills.
Where Should I Put My Tankless Water Heater?
One of the best things about tankless water heaters is that they can be installed almost anywhere. Tankless water heaters can be installed in a variety of places, including:
Indoors: Tankless water heaters are commonly installed indoors, particularly in homes that already have a traditional water heater in place. Indoor installations can either be mounted on a wall or placed on the floor, depending on the model and the available space.- Outdoors: Tankless water heaters can also be installed outdoors, which can be ideal if you don’t have enough indoor space or prefer not to have the heater take up room inside your home. Outdoor installations can be a bit more complicated and may require additional parts, such as freeze protection kits, but they can be a great option in warmer climates.
- Attics: In some homes, particularly those with limited indoor space, tankless water heaters can be installed in attics. Attic installations require careful planning and often involve running a vent pipe through the roof, so it’s important to work with a professional installer who can ensure that the installation is safe and up to code.
- Basements/Crawl Spaces: If you have a basement or crawl space, you may also be able to install a tankless water heater in these areas. In many cases, this can be a convenient location because it’s close to the main water line, but it may require additional ventilation to ensure safe operation.
- Bathrooms & Kitchens: Tankless water heaters can be installed near the points of use, such as in bathrooms and kitchens, which can help reduce the amount of time it takes for hot water to reach the faucet or shower head. However, these installations can be more complex and may require additional plumbing work.
- Whole House Installations: If you want to supply hot water to your entire home with a tankless water heater, a whole-house installation may be the best option. This type of installation requires careful planning to ensure that the heater is sized appropriately for your home’s hot water demands.
- Retrofitting: If you’re upgrading from a traditional water heater to a tankless model, you may need to retrofit your existing plumbing to accommodate the new system. Retrofitting can involve installing new pipes, upgrading electrical or gas connections, and making other modifications to your home’s plumbing system.
- Multi-family Installations: In multi-family buildings, such as apartments or condos, tankless water heaters can be installed in individual units or in a central location that serves multiple units. Multi-family installations require careful planning and coordination with the building’s management and residents.
- Off-Grid Installations: If you live off the grid, such as in a remote area or on a boat, a tankless water heater can still be a great option. Off-grid installations may require special equipment, such as solar panels or backup generators, to power the heater, but they can provide reliable hot water without relying on traditional utility services.
- Mobile Homes: If you live in a mobile home, you can also install a tankless water heater. Mobile home installations require special consideration because of the unique design and construction of these homes, so it is important to work with a professional to ensure proper installation.
Other Considerations
When considering installing a tankless water heater in your home, working with knowledgeable professionals, like those at Winston’s, is crucial to ensure that your system is properly installed. Each state might have its own set of building codes and regulations that can impact where you can install your tankless water heater. Typically, the basic requirements are that the tankless water heater system sits on an external wall so that there is room for the ventilation flue.
These systems must also be level to ensure proper water and gas flow (if using gas). Some regulations also restrict placement on the floor and require that the system sits at least 18 inches from the ground.
Proximity to your most-used faucets is another consideration to make when deciding where to install your tankless water heater. The farther the water has to travel to the faucet results in more water wasted and energy used by your system to heat the water. It may not always be possible to have your tankless system installed in a location that is close to all faucets, for example in a home with multiple stories or a sprawling floor plan. In these situations, it may be beneficial to have multiple tankless water heaters installed in your home.
Questions? Call On Us
There can be a lot to consider when choosing the right place to install your new tankless water heater. Leave the guesswork out of it, and give the professionals at Winston’s a call at 703-379-5006, so we can help ensure your new system is installed correctly and in the optimal location for your household’s needs.
You can also reach out online – thanks for trusting us.
