Whole House Tankless Water Heater
Sylvan Tankless Water Heater for Your Home: Finding the Right Size
Shopping for a whole house tankless water heater can lead to a lot of confusing and contradicting information. Yet, the pull of energy efficiency and the promise of big savings continue to tantalize homeowners.
Imagine the convenience of having hot water on-demand minus the cost that accompanies traditional storage-based water heaters, the compact and clean lines of a Sylvan tankless space saving unit, and the safety and peace of mind enjoyed by a homeowner with a whole house gas tankless water heater.
The key to avoiding hassles with a whole house tankless water heater is determining the correct size for your household’s needs. Basically, tankless water heaters work by heating the water flowing through the unit on its way to your sink, washer, or shower. When the demand for water grows, for example, when you run a bath and do laundry at the same time, the tankless water heater’s capacity to heat the amount of water flowing through it too quickly might be compromised. The user may end up with lukewarm water instead.
Sizing a whole house tankless water heater isn’t rocket science, you can do it yourself or you can consult your contractor. Define your needs and state your actual usage e.g. how many showers are taken simultaneously, laundry schedules, dishwasher runs, et cetera. An undersized whole house water heater for your home will not only be a misnomer, but will also not do anyone any good.
A good rule of thumb is that you will use about 1.5gpm for every shower that is running. So, let's say you have a three bedroom home, and you often have three showers running simultaneously, then you would need a 4.5gpm unit in order to really have a whole house tankless water heater that will never run out of steaming hot water.
Take advantage of online calculators, they are great tools to help you figure out what your water-heating needs are. Various manufacturers also have programs to help you calculate your water heating needs to help you find a match among their product lineup.
After you’ve figured out your water-heating needs and settled on a brand and a specific model unit, make sure that your whole house gas tankless water heater is properly installed. Check out our resources on tankless water heater installation, hire a professional and don’t be shy to ask for references.

