How Much Propane Does a Tankless Water Heater Use?
Tankless water heaters are known for their energy efficiency, but how much propane do they actually use? At Parker Oil & Propane, we can help you understand how propane-powered tankless water heaters work and estimate your potential fuel consumption.
Unlike traditional tank heaters that continuously heat water, tankless models only activate when you turn on a hot water tap. This on-demand system eliminates standby heat loss, leading to significant energy and water savings.
The amount of propane a tankless water heater uses depends on several factors, including:
- Water flow rate: The higher the flow rate, the more propane the heater needs to burn to maintain the desired temperature.
- Temperature difference: As the temperature difference between incoming cold water and desired hot water increases, more propane is required to reach that temperature and supply that water.
- Unit size: Tankless water heaters come in various sizes, and their output is measured in British Thermal Units (BTU) per hour. Higher BTU ratings indicate more powerful burners that can handle larger hot water demands.
- Household size: A family of 4 or more uses almost 3 times more gallons of water than a family of two, on average.
Now, the question becomes: how much propane does my tankless water heater use? Given the factors above, it varies – but on average, a typical propane-powered water heater with a BTU rating of 40,000 will consume roughly 1.5 gallons of propane per day.
At Parker Oil & Propane, we know that each of our customers have unique lifestyles and needs, and we understand that the size of your water heater and propane tank is not a one-size-fits-all solution. As your hometown propane expert, we can assess your hot water demands and recommend a tankless water heater from Rinnai that optimizes efficiency and helps you save money. We also can supply the appropriate propane tank for your water heating and other household needs, and you can enroll in automatic propane delivery to ensure you’ll always have enough propane.
Contact us today to learn more about the benefits of the tankless water heaters and how they can help you with your everyday hot water needs.
