Is a Tankless Electric Water Heater Right for Your Home?

If you’re looking for a water heating solution that delivers hot water on demand, saves space, and eliminates the need for a bulky storage tank, a tankless electric water heater may be worth considering. Unlike traditional tank water heaters that continuously heat and store water, tankless electric models heat water only when a hot water tap is opened, helping reduce energy waste while providing reliable comfort.

But is a tankless electric water heater the right choice for your home? The answer depends on several factors, including your household size, hot water usage patterns, electrical capacity, and where you live.

How Tankless Electric Water Heaters Work

Tankless electric water heaters heat water as it flows through the unit. When a hot water fixture is turned on, water passes through powerful heating elements that quickly raise the temperature before delivering it to the faucet, shower, or appliance. Because there is no storage tank, you don’t have to worry about running out of hot water from an emptied tank.

Key Benefits of Tankless Electric Water Heaters

• On-demand hot water
• Compact, wall-mounted design
• No standby energy losses associated with traditional tanks
• High efficiency ratings
• Flexible installation options for whole-home or point-of-use applications

Tankless Electric Isn’t Just for Whole-Home Applications

Many homeowners assume a tankless water heater must replace their existing water heater. One of the greatest advantages of a tankless electric water heater is its ability to serve as a supplemental hot water solution wherever hot water is needed most.

Because tankless electric units are compact and don’t require venting, they can be installed close to the fixture or area they serve. This makes them ideal for solving common hot water delivery challenges while helping reduce water and energy waste.

Bring Hot Water Closer to Where You Need It

Have a master bathroom on the opposite side of the house from the water heater? Every time you turn on the shower, you may wait for hot water to travel through long pipe runs while gallons of cooled water go down the drain.

A point-of-use tankless electric water heater installed near the master bathroom can provide hot water right where it’s needed, reducing wait times and minimizing wasted water. Instead of replacing your existing water heater, it works alongside it to improve comfort and convenience in the areas that matter most.

Other popular point-of-use applications include:

• Master bathroom suites
• Guest bathrooms
• Home additions
• Detached garages and workshops
• Outdoor kitchens
• Pool houses
• Basement wet bars

Solutions Only a Tankless Electric Can Provide

Tankless electric water heaters offer installation flexibility that traditional water heaters often cannot match.

Because they are compact, wall-mounted, and vent-free, they can be installed in locations where a storage tank would be impractical or impossible. This opens opportunities to deliver hot water exactly where it’s needed without dedicating valuable floor space or running long plumbing lines.

For many homeowners, the benefit isn’t simply endless hot water. It’s having hot water in the right place at the right time.

Tankless Electric Opportunities in New Construction

Tankless electric water heaters can also provide unique advantages during new home construction and major renovations.

Builders and homeowners are increasingly looking for ways to improve efficiency, reduce water waste, and deliver a better user experience. Strategically placing a tankless electric unit near high-demand areas can help achieve those goals.

Some examples include:

• Dedicated hot water for a primary suite
• Supplemental hot water for a luxury bathroom with multiple shower heads
• Water heating for an attached in-law suite
• Independent hot water for a detached garage apartment
• Dedicated hot water for outdoor living spaces
• Zoned hot water systems that shorten delivery times throughout the home

Rather than relying on a single water heater to serve every fixture in the house, tankless electric technology allows homeowners and builders to bring hot water closer to where it’s used most.

Consider Your Household Size

One of the first questions to ask is how many people live in your home.

A smaller household with one to three people may find that a compact tankless electric water heater easily meets daily hot water needs. Larger households can also benefit from tankless technology, but proper sizing becomes increasingly important as the number of occupants and hot water fixtures increases.

Think beyond the number of people in your home and consider how hot water is actually used. A family that takes staggered showers throughout the morning may have very different needs than a household where multiple bathrooms, appliances, and faucets are used simultaneously.

Understanding Simultaneous Hot Water Demand

The biggest factor in tankless electric water heater performance is how much hot water your home uses at the same time.

For example:

• One shower may require approximately 2 GPM (gallons per minute)
• A bathroom faucet may use around 0.5 GPM
• A kitchen sink may require 1 to 2 GPM
• A washing machine may use 1 to 1.5 GPM

If your household frequently runs multiple showers while someone is doing laundry or washing dishes, you’ll need a larger whole-home unit capable of supporting higher flow rates.

So, Is a Tankless Electric Water Heater Right for You?

A tankless electric water heater could be an excellent fit if you:

• Want hot water on demand
• Value a compact, space-saving design
• Have adequate electrical capacity
• Need hot water for a specific area or smaller household
• Want a high-efficiency water heating solution
• Are building an addition, workshop, or detached structure
• Need hot water for a specific area or smaller household
• Are looking for a supplemental hot water solution that works alongside your existing water heater

The key to success is selecting a properly sized unit based on your home’s hot water demand, electrical infrastructure, and climate.

Find the Right Rheem Tankless Electric Water Heater

Not sure which model is best for your home? Rheem offers sizing resources and product selection tools to help homeowners choose the ideal tankless electric water heater for their needs.

Explore Rheem Tankless Electric Water Heaters:
https://www.rheem.com/products/residential/water-heating/tankless/

Use Rheem’s Sizing Guide and Product Resources:
https://www.rheem.com/tankless-electric-water-heater-sizing-tool