ABC PLUMBING & ELECTRICAL of Colorado Springs and Pueblo, Colorado

1)Tankless Limitation:
     To activate the tankless water heater a minimum flow of .6 gallons per minute must be established on most models. So when performing tasks like rinsing a glass, razor or toothbrush the faucet must be turned up high enough to activate the heater.

High Performance Advantage:
     The water is delivered at the set water temperature no matter what the flow rate. The temperature is controlled  by the adjustable mixing valve on the water heater. 

2)TankLess Limitation:
     The water temperature is based on the flow rate of the water when using a tankless water heater and is dependent on a temperature rise above the temperature of the incoming water. The variable gas valve and flow sensor increase the BTU consumption as water flow rates increase. On whole house tankless water heaters the BTU load is usually variable from 65,000 to 199,000BTU. When the maximum BTU rating is reached the flow is restricted to allow the temperature to be reached. If the demand of flow exceeds the heater rating,  the temperature difference can not be maintained. Always check rating charts when purchasing tankless water heaters. On new construction in El Paso County multiple tankless water heaters may be required to meet the homes fixture unit load.

High Performance Advantage:
     A highly insulated reservoir of super heated high temperature stored water is mixed with cold water through the mixing valve at the water heater to supply a constant supply of hot water at the set water temperature. The 80,000 BTU Burner on the 55 gallon model delivers 200 gallons of hot water per hour. See the link on this page to the specification sheets for the incredible hot water delivery capabilities of this water heater. Due to the storage capabilities of this heater it meets almost all residential fixture unit load requirements.

3)TankLess Limitation:
     Special and expensive venting materials are required in larger sizes than are required for the high performance heater to meet the BTU venting requirements and to allow for the excessive condensation in the vent on the tankless heaters. Accommodations for the disposal of the vent condensation by draining or pumping must be met. Also electric power is required for almost all tankless water heaters so a circuit must be available for the heater. The gas line must be sized to meet the increased BTU load of the tankless water heaters.

High Performance Advantage:
     Venting is with 4" standard type B venting materials used for conventional water heaters. The high performance water heaters do not create excessive vent condensation problems so condensate drainage is not required. There is no electricity required for operation. The gas line only needs to be sized base on the lower BTU requirements in comparison to the tankless heaters, usually requiring smaller gas piping for the high performance models. 

4)TankLess Limitation:
     Most manufacturers of tankless water heaters require yearly or even more often servicing by a approved technician or the warranty will be voided. This service usually consists of cleaning filters and checking system operation.

High Performance Advantage:
     No special maintenance is required on the high performance water heater. In fact the maintenance free Hydrojet2 total performance system is designed to minimize sediment build up, maximize water delivery and reduce thermal stratification. 

5)TankLess Limitation:
     A tankless water heater system is on demand so if there are long runs of piping the water must be ran until the lines are flushed for the hot water to reach the fixtures. On conventional water heating systems with remote fixtures a low volume pump is used for recirculation of the water to have instant hot water at the remote fixtures. With the tankless water heater requirements of .6 gallon per minute flow to turn on. Recirculation pumps to have instant hot water at remote fixtures are not compatible. Therefore more expensive special high volume bypass pumps must be used if approved by the heater manufacturer.

High Performance Advantage:
     Any of the recirculation system used with standard water heating systems are compatible with the high performance water heater. The type with low volume recirculation lines or low volume bypass pumps at the remote fixtures will deliver instant hot water.