Tankless Water Heaters - Optimize the Installation Location

The proper location of your tankless system should be considered carefully before you buy your system. The proper location will determine your utility and water usage for years to come. You should think beyond installing it where the old tank system was located.

Don't get me wrong, installing a tankless system will be a good step at reducing your energy consumption and by just installing one, it will knock money off the utility bill. But, optimizing the location relative to the plumbing fixtures in your home or business will also reduce your energy bill and water consumption.

Locate Your Tankless System Close to the Hot Water Fixture

Piping is what connects your water heater to all your water fixtures. The goal is to minimize the amount of hot water piping in your system. Accordingly, the best place to install a tankless system is directly next to the water fixture. That reduces the length of piping from the heater to the fixture.

This is important for 2 reasons:

• It reduces "hot water lag" time (the time it takes heated water to arrive at the fixture) and
• It minimizes the amount of wasted hot water that remains in the pipes when you close the faucet.

But locating the system next to the fixture is not always possible. Sometimes you need to locate the heater so it will serve several fixtures.

Minimize the Total Amount of Hot Water Piping

When the heater needs to serve several fixtures, you still need to select a location that reduces the total length of hot water piping. Let's say you have 3 water fixtures close together and have determined that one tankless system will be purchased for serving these fixtures. You should install the heater closest to the most-used fixture and farthest from the least-used fixture. This will minimize "lag" and wasted hot water for this group of fixtures.

You can be sure you have optimized the location of your tankless system if you consider these items. The particulars of your plumbing system are unique. Spend a little time getting educated before you purchase a tankless system.

Before you purchase a tankless water heater, visit the Tankless Water Heater Center.

I am a professional engineer with over 30 years of design experience relating to plumbing and mechanical systems. The articles I submit are based an many successful residential and commercial installations.