The higher the energy factor the more efficient the water heater.
Replacing electric water heater with tankless.
Tankless water heaters can be powered by gas or electricity but even gas powered tankless water heaters rely on an electric control panel to operate the system.
In any case when you re planning a water heater replacement play it safe.
Installing a tankless water heater is a greater upfront investment but these units can significantly cut the cost of monthly utilities.
For help choosing a water heater read our water heater buying guide.
Call your local department of inspections and ask if you need a permit.
How to switch from propane tank water heater to electric tankless water heaters.
Switching to tankless water heaters isn t that hard.
For a household of one or two people a tankless electric unit will probably be adequate.
A tankless water heater has no tank you re welcome.
If you have an electric water heater the nameplate will also list the wattage capacity and voltage of the heating elements.
Here are the steps we took to convert from a propane powered water heater to an electric tankless water heater.
For an electric model assuming energy costs of 0 132 per kwh the payback time to replace a conventional electric tank with an electric tankless ranges from 12 to 20 years.
Today tankless water heater energy factors range between 64 and 91 for gas fired models and up to 99 for electric models.
This information will serve as the starting point in your search for replacement parts or a new water heater.
In regards to installation there are many things to worry about.
Replacing your standard water heater is expensive since tankless systems can be up to 80 more expensive than a tank water heater.
Department of energy estimates that in homes using 41 gallons or less of hot water on demand tankless units can conserve between 24 to 34 more energy than tank water heaters.
The steps for replacing a propane water heater are exactly the same and those for an electric water heater are similar.
I also made a video so you could see our install first hand.
So regardless of the type of tankless water heater you have you ll be out of hot water in the event of a power outage.