Most American families use around 50 gallons of hot water per day. To meet this demand, an electric tankless water heater will use 9–12 kWh of electricity. An electric tankless water heater needs about 3 kWh of electricity to heat a 10-minute shower.

How much electricity does a tankless electric hot water heater use?

When they are ‘on’, electrical tankless heaters require up to 30,000W of electricity. For comparison, an average washing machine will require a bit more than 1,000W to run (and it will run for 1-2h). However, electric tankless water heaters are not running all the time.

How many watts of energy does a tankless water heater use?





One whole-house tankless water heater has four 7,000-watt elements, for a total electrical load of 28,000 watts. This load re- quires wire and a circuit breaker that will handle at least 120 amps, at a cost many times that of electrical service to a conventional tank water heater.

What is the downside of an electric tankless water heater?

The primary disadvantage of on demand or instant hot water heaters is the upfront cost. The smaller units that you often see won’t produce enough hot water to serve most households. They’ll only serve one faucet at a time—a problem if you want to shower while the dishwasher is running.

Are electric tankless water heaters energy efficient?

Electric tankless heaters are 99 percent efficient. However, they don’t qualify for rebates or an Energy Star rating, which requires a product improve energy output 14 percent over older models. The worst traditional electric heaters are 93 percent efficient.

How much electricity does a tankless water heater use per month?

Most American families use around 50 gallons of hot water per day. To meet this demand, an electric tankless water heater will use 9–12 kWh of electricity. An electric tankless water heater needs about 3 kWh of electricity to heat a 10-minute shower.

Do tankless water heaters require more electricity?





According to Energy.gov, “For homes that use 41 gallons or less of hot water daily, demand (or tankless) water heaters can be 24% to 34% more energy efficient than conventional storage tank water heaters.” Tankless water heaters (if gas-fired) will save homeowners over $100 annually the longer they remain in service.

How much energy do tankless water heaters save?

Tankless Water Heaters Savings

First, the Department estimated that a tankless water heater is 24-34% more energy efficient than a water heater with a tank. This translates to an average cost savings of $108 per year. This is just an average.

How much does it cost to convert to tankless water heater?

An electric tankless unit will cost about $500 to $700, roughly the same as a traditional tank model, while the cost of a gas tankless heater runs about $1,000 to $1,200. Beyond the initial cost, the national average for the installation of a tankless unit is slightly over $1,700.

How long does it take for a tankless water heater to pay for itself?



Tankless water heaters can eventually pay for themselves with energy bill savings, but the payback period may be long: 22-27 years for a gas tankless heater, 12-20 years for an electric. Tankless water heaters tend to last longer than storage heaters: 20 to 25 years in many cases.

Why are tankless water heaters so expensive?

Tankless water heaters have a higher initial price compared to tank heaters, costing homeowners between $1,200–$3,500. The higher cost is a result of a more labor-intensive set-up, as new gas and water lines are required for installation. For electrical tankless heaters, new electric wiring will need to be installed.

Does a tankless water heater add value to a house?

If you are looking to increase the value of your home, adding a tankless water heater to your features is a great place to start. According to a study conducted by Zillow, homes with tankless water heaters sold for 4% more than their expected value. On average, these homes also sold 43 days faster than expected.