Where Should I Install a Tankless Heater?
As with a tank-type heaters, the shorter the hot-water delivery pipe, the less
energy is lost to warming up the plumbing. If you are willing to throw away the
heat energy, and wait for the hot water to reach the fixture, pipe length
doesn't matter. A tankless heater does not need to be installed right at the
fixture any more than a storage-type heater.
If you are replacing an existing tank-type heater, it is probably most
convenient to install the tankless unit in the same space. Your water
and gas piping are already in the vicinity and will require only minor plumbing
changes. However, if the unite is to be installed in new construction, then pick
the most central location. As with all gas appliances, the heater requires
ventingto the outside. In a retrofit installation, the existing flue pipe will
probably need to be upsized for the tankless heater. Do not reduce the flue size
of the tankless unit to fit a smaller already in place flue. Do not install a
tankless heater outside or in an unheated space, unless it never freezes in your
climate. The pilot light can be blown out easily if the unit is exposed to the
wind.
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