How Much Propane Does a Tankless Water Heater Use?
Comparing Usage with Other Propane Appliances
If you’re looking to replace your home’s water heater, the best time to do it is before your water heater fails, which will force you into “panic-buying” a replacement system quickly.
When you have the time to shop around, you’ll discover the great value and convenience of propane tankless water heaters. These types of units offer advantages over conventional storage tank water heaters.
Tankless Water Heater and Propane Usage
One question that New Yorkers commonly ask is: how much propane does a propane tankless water heater use? The short answer to that question is that a typical propane tankless water heater producing 40,000 BTU/hour will consume about 1.5 gallons of propane per day. Here’s the explanation behind this calculation.
First, because we know how much heat energy is in a gallon of propane– one gallon of propane equals 91,452 Btus–we can make estimates about how much the average homeowner will use.
However, the amount of propane your own appliances will use—including your propane tankless water heater– depends on factors ranging from the size and efficiency of each appliance to how well it was matched to your space, as well as the quality of the installation and the frequency of maintenance.
Propane Tankless Water Heater Savings
By heating water only when you need it, ENERGY STAR certified tankless water heaters save a family of four about $95 per year, or $1,800 over its lifetime, on gas bills compared to a standard gas storage model.
Tankless water heaters also have a life expectancy of 20 years, much longer than any conventional tank-type water heater. And with a tankless model, the risk of tank leaks and water damage is a thing of the past.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, in homes that use 41 gallons or less of hot water daily, on-demand tankless water heaters can be 24%–34% more energy efficient than conventional storage tank water heaters. They can be 8%–14% more energy efficient for homes that use a lot of hot water — around 86 gallons per day.
What Size Tankless Water Heater Is Best for My Home?
Unlike a traditional water heater, there is no hot water recovery rate with a tankless system. That’s because there is no tank of hot water to replenish. Instead, there is a flow rate. Your New York propane company will determine what product is best for you by looking at the temperature of the water coming into the unit and the peak flow demand for your home (how much hot water you would need from the various hot water products in your home).
Your propane company can then choose the best water heater for your home’s peak needs. Once this tankless water heater is in place, you can enjoy virtually endless hot water. You won’t need to worry about getting a cold shower because the washing machine has just turned on in the laundry room.
How Much Propane Do My Other Gas Appliances Use?
Now that you know tankless water heaters on average use 1.5 gallons of propane per day, you may be wondering how your other propane appliances compare. The following estimates below should give you an idea of what each propane appliance typically uses to do its job.
Please note that these appliance measurements are expressed as BTU per hour. This is a way to show a measurement of deliverable power applicable to each propane gas appliance. (Think of it like the horsepower rating of a car). Read more about BTU per hour.
- Fireplace with ceramic logs – 26,000 BTU/hour: 1 gallon / 3 hours
- Gas cooktop/range – 65,000 BTU/hour: 5 to 10 gallons / month
- Gas clothes dryer – 35,000 BTU/hour: less than 1 gallon / day
NY Rebates for Propane Water Heaters
As you consider your water heating requirements, or if you need help figuring out what’s most important, get in touch with your New York propane service company. They’ll be glad to walk you through the process and help you get a better understanding of your household’s hot water needs. They can also tell you all about current New York rebates that will help you save money on a propane water heater as well as other propane heating equipment.
It’s important to note that when you want to install propane-powered equipment, it’s essential that you bring in a licensed technician. Propane equipment is extremely safe when installed properly. But as with all energy sources, improper installation can be dangerous. Certified propane technicians have the training, experience, and tools to do the job quickly, correctly, and safely.
This is largely because of the Certified Employee Training Program (CETP), which is run under the direction of the Propane Education & Research Council. What’s more, you can only take advantage of available equipment rebates if your installation is inspected for safety with a Gas Check®.
Please speak to your propane provider about this inspection.