How To Choose A Tankless Water Heater For Tiny House

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Tiny houses require world-class water heaters and this is a fundamental decision you'll want to get right.

It is not easy to figure out which type of water heater is best for your needs. This is why learning more about how water heaters work, what a tiny house needs, and which one is the best will matter.

This guide will take a look at how to choose a tankless water heater for your tiny house.

Tankless Vs. Traditional Water Heaters

Let's begin with the basics.

You will want to understand what the differences are between tankless and traditional water heaters. Most people won't be aware of what these differences are, which can lead to making the wrong choice.

In general, a tankless water heater refers to a water heater that doesn't have a holding tank. This means hot water is not going to be sitting in a separate tank. Instead, the water is going to go through the water heater on-demand making it instantly hot.

This has to do with the burner that is resting inside the water heater at all times as the water goes through.

The reason for doing this is to make sure you don't have to wait around for the hot water to come. In the past, it was common for people to worry about the hot water running out as soon as multiple people started to take a shower in the same house.

This idea is not a concern any longer whether you are in a mansion or a tiny house.

The tankless water heater makes sure you are going to have as much hot water as you want because it will run on-demand. The best part about tankless water heaters has to do with their compact size. This is a must for tiny houses that are looking to save on space.

Not only is it small, but it is also lightweight, which means it is not going to be hard to set up. This is ideal for those who want to go with an efficient water heater that is easy to install and is going to run in the background without harming the environment too much.

Based on research that has been done on tankless water heaters, they are capable of lasting for 20 years without creating issues. This is ideal for those who want to make sure they are going with something long-lasting and effective at the same time.

It is important to note these can be expensive despite being energy-efficient. There is a high cost associated with installing a tankless water heater in your tiny house.

In the end, most people are going to want to go with a tankless water heater because it is simply better. This means you are going to get a long-lasting option that will do well over the long haul. This alone is what makes it great.

Tips for Choosing a Tankless Water Heater

Consider Power Source

You will have to make a fundamental decision when it comes to a modern tankless water heater.

What this means is you are going to have to decide between gas and electric-powered options. Some people prefer going with electric models because they are easier to set up and are going to reduce the risk associated with gas leaks.

However, you are going to have to realize electric tankless water heaters do require more energy to run during the day.

This is the give and take you are going to have to focus on.

In general, if you are someone that doesn't care about wasting electricity, you should be fine with the electric-powered tankless water heater. On the other hand, if this is something you don't want to have to foot the bill on, it is best to look at the gas-powered water heater.

It is also important to remember a lot of tiny houses are off the grid. This means you are not going to have an easy time generating enough electricity to keep the tankless water heater running. As a result, it is usually safer to go with the gas-powered option for peace of mind.

If you are not worried about the electricity factor, you will be fine with the electric tankless water heater too.

You should also take a look at our article about generators.

Go Smaller

This is one of the bigger mistakes people make when it comes to buying a tankless water heater.

You might think it is smarter to go with the best tankless water heater but that's untrue. Instead, you have to think about compatibility in situations such as these because that does play a role in what you are getting and how it all works out.

If it is not going to fit, you will not enjoy the results at all.

The idea is to look for a tankless water heater that is going to work for a tiny house. This means it should provide ample power without taking up a lot of space. This is easier said than done but there are high-value options that do fit the bill perfectly.

Repairs Should Be Easy

Only go with tankless water heaters that are renowned for being easy to repair.

When you are in a tiny house, it is not easy to keep repairing the tankless water heater. Instead, you are going to want something that continues to run in the background.

With a quality tankless water heater, you can set it and forget it. This is why going with one of the leading manufacturers is always a smart bet. You are going to save quite a bit of money over time and it is going to continue to run the way you want it to.

This is a factor that cannot be ignored when you are trying to figure things out.

Look at the Flow Rate (GPM)

Each tankless water heater is going to come with a set flow rate.

This is going to be marked using GPMs and is a solid metric to assess what you are getting your hands on. A lot of tiny house owners don't realize what type of impact the flow rate can have in the grand scheme of things.

It is essential to make sure you are going with the type of flow rate that is useful over time. This is going to make a real difference in what you end up getting and how it all works out.

To find out what you need, it is best to look to calculate what your house's flow rate will be.

Some GPM rates include:

• Shower - 2.5 GPM
• Faucet - 2.5 GPM
• Toilet - 2.5 GPM

When you record all of the flow rates for different water fixtures in your house, it is important to begin working on finding the right tankless water heater.

You will want to add up all of these rates and then begin working on which tankless water heater is the best. It is the only way to make sure you are not going with something that is inefficient and/or will always fail to produce the amount of hot water you need during the day.

While tankless water heaters work on-demand, they are restricted by the flow rate and their capability. It is important to go with something that will fit nicely in the tiny house and still produce a good amount of hot water at the same time.

This is a must when you are trying to do things the right way.

Check Safety Standards

Tankless water heaters are only useful when they are safe for a tiny house.

You should be going with something that has been certified and is approved for use. This is the only way to ensure you don't end up turning on a water heater that endangers everything in the house including you.

There are strict safety standards in place for most top-tier manufacturers and that is what you should be on the lookout for immediately. It is the only way to feel good about what you are getting and how it all works out.

Look at the Warranty

While setting a budget is important, you should also take a look at the underlying warranty. This is key because it will ensure you are protected if something were to go wrong.

While the best tankless water heaters don't break down easily, you still want to be certain.

This is where a good-quality warranty will go a long way in protecting you. It will ensure you are safe even when things spiral out of control.

Final Thoughts

If you take the time to focus on these tips, you are going to end up with a high-quality tankless water heater for your tiny house.

Whether it is finding the right size, looking at the flow rate, and/or understanding the importance of safety, each detail matters.

You should never settle for something that isn't going to work the way you want it to. In a tiny house, this is going to be a key fixture and it has to run the right way.