Core Highlights
- Tankless water heaters offer a reliable, efficient way to supply hot water to large homes.
- Gas tankless water heaters are often the best choice for large families.
- You could save 8% to 34% in energy by switching to a tankless unit.
- Service Lion offers installation, maintenance, repair, and financing for tankless water heaters.
Tired of running out of hot water at home and overpaying on electrical bills? It might be time to consider investing in a tankless water heater for your large family home. In this guide, we’re covering the many benefits of these water heaters, how they work, and how Service Lion can help you make the switch. Let’s take a look.
Why Large Families Are Making the Switch to Tankless
Why are more families switching to whole-house tankless water heaters? These units have a few main benefits. Because they heat up the water as it’s needed, it’s almost impossible to run out of water—even if every member of the family takes a shower, one after the other.
Their design also translates to more efficient operation. They use anywhere from 8% to 34% less energy than tank-style units, depending on how much water you use. For these reasons, more homeowners are making the investment in modern, tankless water heaters.
Why Traditional Tank Water Heaters Struggle with Large Families
Conventional water heaters have a reservoir of water in the tank, which is heated in batches and stored. Once this tank of hot water is used up, it can take anywhere from 40 to 80 minutes to refill and reheat. For big families who are taking showers, washing dishes, and running laundry throughout the day, it doesn’t take long to exhaust this supply.
How Tankless Water Heaters Solve Large Family Hot Water Challenges
For a large home, tankless water heaters are the best solution to these heating system woes. These units heat up water on-demand, offering virtually endless hot water at significantly higher rates of efficiency. For big households, this means no more arguments about long showers, all while saving money at the same time.
Understanding Tankless Water Heater Sizing for Large Families
When looking into tankless water heater installation, it’s important to select the right size. A local plumbing company can help you make sense of tankless water heater sizing guides, ensuring they have enough capacity to serve your needs reliably.
Your pro will calculate your home’s peak gallons-per-minute (GPM) by adding up all the hot water fixtures that can be used at one time. They’ll then factor in the required temperature rise, which varies depending on your climate. This tells them what size water heater you need to ensure a steady supply of hot water.
Gas vs. Electric Tankless for Large Households
It’s not just about tank vs. tankless water heaters! You’ll also need to choose between a gas unit and an electric one. In addition to running better in cold weather, gas units provide higher flow rates, which can be a major selling point for big families. However, electric units are less expensive to install and offer up to 98% efficiency. We generally recommend opting for gas units for larger homes wherever possible, but your pro can offer more personalized advice.
Financing Options for Tankless Water Heater Installation
If you’re considering buying an on-demand water heater, you may have noticed that these units cost much more up front than a conventional unit. While you’ll ultimately save money with these systems thanks to high efficiency, it’s still a big expense. That’s why we offer flexible, affordable financing on installations, helping you buy a tankless water heater without breaking the bank.
Why Choose Service Lion for Tankless Water Heater Installation
Why choose us for help installing your instant water heater? At Service Lion, we’re proud to have served our community’s plumbing needs for over a decade. We help with every step of the process, from the selection of your new unit to the installation, to those final quality checks before we head out.
We also help keep your new system running smoothly with affordable, annual maintenance plans, keeping efficiency high and performance consistent. And if you ever run into a problem down the line, such as a water heater taking too long to heat up, we’re always available for quick, comprehensive water heater repairs.
Service Areas Around Orange County, CA
We’re proud to offer tankless water heater services throughout Orange County, including:
Ready to Upgrade to a Tankless Water Heater?
If you’re ready to make the upgrade to an efficient, reliable, tankless water heater, Service Lion is here to help. With a trusted installation process, skilled plumbing technicians, and a commitment to your comfort and safety, it’s clear to see why the Orange County area counts on our team for its water heating needs. For more information about tankless water heaters, or to discuss making the switch today, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size tankless water heater do I need for a family of 5?
A family of five would generally need a tankless water heater with a flow rate of at least 9 to 11 GPM. If you need to use multiple fixtures simultaneously, a gas unit will probably be more suited to the task.
How many GPM do I need for a large family?
Large, busy households could need as much as 15 to 25 gallons per minute (GPM), depending on your daily water usage habits. A pro can help you determine your hot water needs more accurately.
What size tankless water heater for 4 bathrooms?
You’ll need a tankless unit with a flow rate of at least 7 to 9 GPM to reliably serve four bathrooms. This doesn’t account for laundry, dishwashing, and other fixtures, however, so make sure to keep these in mind when doing water heater sizing.
Will a tankless water heater run out of hot water?
If your home’s water demand exceeds your heater’s flow rate, you might get temperature drops. This is why proper water heater sizing is essential, even with tankless units.
Are there rebates for tankless water heaters?
There are a few rebates for tankless water heaters in California. Depending on the model you choose and which utility provider you have, you could get a rebate of $80 to $1,500 for making the switch.
Where should a tankless water heater be located?
For the best results, a tankless water heater should be placed somewhere close to an exterior wall (for venting), while also being near water-consuming appliances and your water main line. A pro can find the perfect spot for your new unit.
What maintenance does a tankless water heater need?
Tankless water heaters need annual flushing and descaling to run efficiently and reliably. You’ll also need to have the water and air inlet filters cleaned, and occasionally check the system for leaks or venting issues.
How long do tankless water heaters last?
With proper maintenance, a tankless water heater can last 15 to 20 years. After this point, it will struggle to heat water efficiently and should be replaced.
