A Guide to Home Tankless Heaters You no doubt have questions, if this your first home tankless hot water heater. There are some things to clear up before you can enjoy a continuous supply of hot water because picking a tankless heater is different than a storage tank model. A home tankless hot water heater offers more options for placement because of its compact size. This could be your chance to reposition the heater to give a shorter run to the most used outlets in your home. There are other factors to consider when looking for a place to put the heater. Gas home heaters can be mounted inside or outside the home, Often a secluded location or a natural barrier can be used to hide it in an outside location. There needs to be an opening in the wall for hot water to be piped in and an electrical line for the electronics. Electrical home tankless hot water heaters are interior mounted and because of their small size can be strategically positioned anywhere there is adequate power. Home tankless hot water heaters don't waste energy by preheating pipes as storage tank type do, so it may take a little longer for hot water to reach its destination. The difference is very slight for tankless models generate hot water in just a few seconds. It's the length of the run that makes the difference. Both electric and gas home tankless hot water heaters have installation needs. Gas models, because of their combustion system, need a way to expel high temperature gases. They also need fresh air supply that works independently in a well insulated home. This means mounting on an exterior wall for outside venting. A dedicated gas line will also need to be installed for this unit. The only requirement for electrical models is that they be wall mounted and have access to 240v power. Electrical home tankless hot water heaters have high energy demands; an existing electrical panel may not have enough capacity to accommodate the 80-amp to 120amp demand of an electrical tankless hot water heaters. There are options for configuring the best tankless hot water heater, which are ideally done during new home construction but can work for upgrades as well. For instance, a gas model is usually recommended for high temperature rise and multiple users. A single unit can produce a flow rate in the range of 7 to 13 gallons per minute. Electric home tankless hot water heaters are much less expensive and have enough power generally for one shower and a faucet. They also demand high amperage; check your electrical panel for capacity. Smaller electrical units, designed for under the counter use, can be ideal for filling in gaps at a kitchen sink or lavatory. Hot water doesn't have to be a single source solution. A home tankless hot water heater can take many forms to provide for your hot water needs. Regular usage and peak needs can be met with no wasted energy. For more info about exterior water heater access doors click here.