Tankless Water Heaters

An overview of the advantages,

opportunities and key design points of
this emerging technology

Rheem Manufacturing Company is a Registered Provider with The

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This program is registered with the AIA/CES for continuing professional
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of construction or any method or manner of handling, using,
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Rheem Manufacturing Company 2008

Learning Objectives

Understand the history and growth associated with tankless water

heaters, and the forces behind this growth.

Understand the advantages of tankless water heaters, and

recognize some of their possible shortcomings.

Understand that tankless water heaters are not standardized, and

how this can play a significant role in design considerations.

Understand the basics of various installation options and industry

accessories that can aid in that installation.

Understand the basic tankless system sizing concept and how it

differs from current methods used to size tank hot water systems.

Now is the time for

Tankless Water Heaters
But first.

Can you take a fresh

look at things?
Im looking for a color. .
the color of a Yield sign.

Tankless Water Heaters

History of Tankless Water Heaters
It started in the USA with Edwin Ruud
In 1889 Edwin Rudd was awarded a patent for
his design of a tankless water heater. It had a
cast iron body with a copper heat exchanger,
and his patent was on a gas actuator valve
which turned on the burner when a water
faucet was opened

The American Desire for Storage Tanks

Sometime in the 1920s the cast iron all
copper heat exchanger design became to
expensive to produce
During that period America was introduced to
a galvanized steel tank and then glass lined
tanks in the1940s
And its been that way ever sinceuntil now

Tankless Water Heaters

Tankless Global Perspective
Tankless technology
Tankless water heaters are used throughout most of the civilized world except in North America
Leading markets are Japan, China, Australia,
Spain & Taiwan

World Market

Total World Water Heater Market is $10.8 billion

Gas tankless market is half or $5.4 billion
Electric Storage is $3.2 billion
Gas Storage is $1.7 billion
Electric tankless is $500 million

Tankless Water Heaters

US Market Today
2009 Total US Market was 325,000 units

40% growth between 2003-2005

50% growth in 2004 alone
36% growth in 2006
30% growth in 2007
LP currently accounts for 1/3 of market
Will become 10% or more of the gas market before 2015
Future impact estimated at 30-40% of market
Australian Model: 0 to 30% of market in @7 years

Tankless Water Heaters

Why Tankless

Tankless Water Heaters

Tankless Vs Tank at 90o Rise
40,000 Btus

199,900 Btus

151 lbs

55 lbs

.62 EF

13 Ft3

67 gal 1st hour

(55 gal electric)

.82 EF

222 GPH

2 Ft3

Tankless Water Heaters

Advanced Technology Most Models
Self-modulating or staged burner provide maximum energy
efficiency
Btu input automatically
increases as demand
for hot water increases

Only operates when

there is a demand for
hot water

No standing pilot

Electric spark ignition

Temperature rise determines maximum output capacity

((HW outlet) (CW inlet)) = Temperature rise

Tankless Water Heaters

Why Tankless
Energy Efficient
Up to 15% compared to new 80% efficient commercial tank
Up to 30% compared to new residential tank units
Off unless there is a demand for hot water

Environmentally Friendly
Low NOx on most

Precise temperature control

Most high end models
20 50 increments

Digital displays
Temperature control
Diagnostics and maintenance codes

Tankless Water Heaters

Why Tankless
Installation flexibility
Indoor, outdoor and direct vent models
Vent horizontally or vertically
Possible lower installed costs

Space Saving
Install close to end-use
Smaller Footprint easier to zone

Unlimited supply of hot water

Primary residential benefit
Manifold up to 20 or more units

System Redundancy in manifold

If one goes down, the others remain operational

Tankless Water Heaters

Tankless Water Heaters

Are Not Standardized

Tankless Water Heaters

Market Awareness Know The Product
Compare units at same temperature rise
Not a 450F rise with a 350 rise
GAMA rates at 770 rise

Know the minimum fuel pressure required

Varies from 4 to 6 w.c. natural
8 to 10 w.c. propane

Know clearance to combustibles

Varies from to 6 or more on the sides
0 to 2 in rear
Up to 36 to the top and 24 to the front

Tankless Water Heaters

Market Awareness Know The Product
Know the minimum activation flow
Varies from .4 to .78 GPM

Know the high altitude limitations

Does the unit compensate
If yes how
What are its limits

Does the unit offer freeze protection

If yes, what is its low temperature limit
Important, the units are protected but not the
pipes

Tankless Water Heaters

Market Awareness Know The Product
Can the unit detect lime buildup
Single unit
Manifold
Preventive maintenance requirements

Is bigger better?

Saves space, but

Generally lower efficiency

Possible loss of system redundancy

Right product for the job

Tankless may not be the answer

Tankless Water Heaters

What About Electric Tankless?
28 to 55 KW to compete with gas models
Home needs additional 120-300 amp supply
Communicating with electric utility is critical
Failure to can result in equipment failures

Other concerns

Can existing infrastructure handle the load

Excess power for new homes
Check with utility

Best opportunity at this time

Commercial applications

Tankless Water Heaters

Tankless products offer design flexibility

Indoor

Outdoor

Direct Vent

Tankless Water Heaters

3 Primary Tankless Designs
Indoor power vent (PV)
Primary
Attics, garages & basements with ample combustion air
Secondary
Confined spaces without ample combustion air

Outdoor
Mounted on wall - with or without pipe skirt
Mounted in recessed box

Indoor direct vent (DV)

Primary
Indoor confined spaces
Secondary
Attics, garages & basements with ample combustion air

Tankless Water Heaters

Options
and
Accessories

Tankless Water Heaters

Optional Pipe Covers

For indoor and outdoor models
Used for cosmetic purposes
Can enhance freeze protection

Tankless Water Heaters

Recessed Box Typical Installation

Tankless Water Heaters

Custom Installation Enhances Aesthetics

Tankless Water Heaters

Isolation and de-liming valve kits
Lowers installation labor and
long-term maintenance costs
Easier to install unit when pipe
covers and recessed boxes
are used
Aids in troubleshooting of units in
manifold installations
Aids in installation of pressure

Tankless Water Heaters

Remote Controls
For the end-user - not the contractor
Change temperature settings
Monitors operation of unit
Install in a location convenient for the owner
Can have up to 3 controls per unit on some brands
Contractor should have one in toolbox for troubleshooting

Tankless Water Heaters

Important
Design Considerations

Tankless Water Heaters

Location is Important
The shorter the vent, the more economical the installation
Install outside
Install on an adjacent outside wall
The closer to the fuel supply, the more
economical the installation
Communicate with the fuel supplier
Right meter right pressure
Plan for upgrades
System is only as good as the contractor installing it!

Tankless Water Heaters

Gas Supply is Critical

Ensure correct pipe size for gas pressure supplied

Ensure correct meter set by utility
Ensure proper secondary regulators on >2psi systems
Post design upgrades
Ensure upgrade is reviewed by all impacted parties
Engineer, utility, plumbing contractor, gas contractor, etc.

Tankless Water Heaters

Venting
Category III Appliances
Proprietary or Stainless Steel required
(Check manufacturers specifications)

Cannot combine vents

B Vent and Galvanized are not acceptable!

Tankless Water Heaters

Indoor Options
Power Vent or Direct Vent units

Side Wall Vent Termination

Preferred indoor installation
Provides lowest indoor installed cost
Provide downward slope IAW Mfg spec.

Tankless Water Heaters

Horizontal Venting to Outside Wall

Tankless water heaters are near condensing or condensing, therefore any

condensate produced must be handled in accordance with local codes.

Tankless Water Heaters

Vertical Venting Least Preferred Option

Vertical Condensate
Trap

Tankless Water Heaters

Outdoor Installations Usually lowest cost option
Most units are freeze protected with electrical power
However, plumbing is not
Insulation of pipes and/or heat tracing may be necessary
Pipe covers or recessed boxes can help

Tankless Water Heaters

Proper Sizing
Its GPM - Not GPH!

Tankless Water Heaters

Important Commercial Sizing Considerations
Will a storage tank be required
What is the peak demand GPM flow rates
Watch out for high GPM commercial demands

What is the minimum GPM requirements

Watch our for low flows without recirculation.

Can you recirc directly through the tankless system

Will this impact the warranty

What is the temperature rise required

Restaurant, nursing home, etc.

Right product for the job

Remember, tankless may not be the answer

Tankless Water Heaters

Important Residential Sizing Considerations
What is the most logical GPM usage
Number of showers, shower and appliances,
Roman tub fill, etc.
Residential fixture uses approximately 80% hot water

What is the temperature rise required

The greater the temperature rise the lower the capacity
Use lowest inlet temperature at peak occupancy/usage
Or, default to January or February inlet water temperature

Typical residential fixture uses approximately 80% hot water

Refer to GPM charts furnished by manufacturer
Refer to manufacturers sizing program if provided

High Efficiency Tanks

Pros application dependent
Large stored volume
Longer vent options
Lower peak fuel demand
Cons
No system redundancy
Limited hot water supply
Design dependent
Space
Costs

High Efficiency Tankless

Pros

Unlimited hot water

Multiple installation options
Easier to zone
System redundancy
Green image & economical

Cons application dependent

No stored capacity
Peak fuel demand - retrofit

Design dependent
Space
Costs

Tankless Water Heaters

Applications
and
Installations

Tankless Water Heaters

Residential Applications
New Construction
Large homes
Spec homes
Multi-family
HUD

Retrofit
Single family
Multi-family & HUD
Mobile Homes

Tankless Water Heaters

Commercial Applications

Tankless Water Heaters

Known Commercial Applications

Restaurants
Schools
Churches
Laundromats
Hotels
Multi-family housing
Nursing homes
Prisons
Dormitories
Manufacturing
?????

Tankless Water Heaters

Why Foodservice Applications

Restaurant benefits
Unlimited hot water
Energy Efficient
System redundancy
Saved space
More production space
Lower construction costs

New Construction and Retrofit

Most all major chains have test

installations

Tankless Water Heaters

Motels and Hotels
132 Rooms
100 Studios
32 One-Bedroom Suites
Full Bath, Kitchen and
dishwasher in each room

Uses 8 units in manifold

Tankless Water Heaters

Large Applications
Removed four 100 gallon 199,000 BTU tanks
Replaced with twelve
199,900 Btu outdoor units
Utility bill reduced by 60%
Expanded facility into old tank location and
increased revenue

1 x MIC-180 controller

Tankless Water Heaters

Typical twelve unit outdoor manifold installation

Tankless Water Heaters

Summary
and
Q&A

Tankless Water Heaters

General Summary - Key Points
Fastest growing segment ever within the plumbing industry
Consumer driven, whether an individual or corporation
Embraced and supported by the natural gas & LP industries
Proper design and proper installation are key to success
Positions your firm as a leader in this growing industry

Tankless Water Heaters

Summary Key Design Considerations
What is the normal GPM demand of system
Are there any large commercial loads
Most logical residential usage

What is the temperature rise required

Minimum design cold water inlet temperature
Maximum design outlet temperature required

What are the ratings of the tankless unit

GPM output at required temperature rise
Product design specifications
Pump head requirements
Minimum flow activation

Tankless Water Heaters

Summary - Key Design
Considerations
What are the fuel requirements?
Can the unit operate at the available pressure
What are the piping requirements
Communicate with the utility

What are the venting requirements?

Does it require proprietary or Cat III SS vent material
Will it require a condensate trap

Where will it be installed - indoors or outdoors?

Remember..
The shorter the vent the more economical the installation
The closer the fuel source the more economical the installation

And finally, is tankless the right product for the job?

More than likely yes, but..

Tankless Water Heaters

Communicate With The Manufacturer
Services that may be offered:
Application and sizing assistance
PC based sizing program
Pressure drop and flow rate curves
Installation specifications
Installation drawings some engineering approved
Manifold, recirculation, combo-heat, etc.
Product training