Selecting the ideal tankless water heater for your Sherrelwood home requires thought and consideration of several factors. First, think about the climate. Sherrelwood has some very cold winters, and you'll need a water heater that can handle those low inlet temperatures. A gas-fired tankless water heater is the most recommended product for that kind of environment. It produces constant hot water even when the temperature outside is near freezing. That said, if you can't or don't want to use gas, an electric tankless water heater could also work; but, flow rates and the circumstances of your specific installation may dictate that a gas heater really is your best choice overall. Be sure also to think about how much hot water you really use. These are not cheap products, and buying one that doesn't meet your necessary demands is going to lead to problems.
The installation of a tankless water heater in your Sherrelwood home is another very important consideration. Electric models are relatively easy to install and relocate, since they don't require any venting. As a general rule, tankless water heaters are located close to where the hot water will be used, but you could also install one to service your whole house. For that scenario, you'd need a much more powerful unit, possibly a gas model, which would require some ventilation and possibly some adjustments to your gas lines. On the other hand, if you can stick with electric, an installer should be able to place the unit wherever you want it, provided that the wiring can reach. Despite these choices, modern tankless units also come with smart technologies that allow better control over their operation.
The appeal of tankless water heaters lies mostly in their efficiency. These systems heat water only when necessary, making them far more energy efficient than a tank water heater that must reheat water constantly, even when no one is home. "Energy-efficient operation" means different things for different types of tankless water heaters. Gas systems tend to have higher flow rates, can maintain temperature better than electric systems, and are more cost-efficient to operate because natural gas generally costs less than electricity. Gas units, however, may not work well in all settings. Electric tankless water heaters can generate sufficient amounts of hot water for smaller homes and in regions where electricity is cheaper than gas. Upfront costs can be higher with these units compared to a traditional water heater. However, tankless models generally save up to 30 percent more energy than their tanked counterparts, with life expectancies ranging from 15 to 20 years.