How Much Propane Do Tankless Water Heaters Use?

Written on: August 7, 2023

Limitless hot water generation, energy efficiency and a long system lifespan.

Is your aging storage tank water heater starting to fall down on the job? Are your showers shorter than you’d like because of unreliable hot water? Have you noticed discolored hot water from your taps and strange mechanical noises from your water heater?

All these indicators could signal that your hot water system is on its last legs. At Koppy’s Propane, we tell Pennsylvania homeowners that the worst thing they can do is ignore the problem. If your water heater fails, you could face water damage in your home and days without hot water. It’s something no one wants to go through.

But if you plan ahead and explore your water heater replacement options now, you can positively upgrade to more energy-efficient products. For energy savings and dependable hot water production, we recommend a tankless propane water heater.

How does a tankless water heater work?

Unlike a traditional water heater, a tankless product does not heat a tank of water for use later. It heats water on demand with a super-hot propane flame. A sensor tells the unit to switch on when a hot water tap, fixture or appliance needs water. The unit can calibrate how powerful a flame is needed. Then, it switches off when you no longer need the hot water.

This process is far more energy-efficient than having to heat and reheat an unused water tank. The U.S. Department of Energy has found that tankless systems can be as much as 34 percent more efficient . They also last much longer than traditional water heaters, often 20 years or longer.

How much fuel will a tankless water heater use?

On average, a tankless water heater producing 40,000 Btu/hour consumes roughly 1.5 gallons of propane daily.

What is a Btu? It stands for British thermal unit, the amount of heat needed to raise one pound of water at maximum density through one degree Fahrenheit. One gallon of propane generates 91,452 Btu. Knowing this, we can estimate how much the average home’s tankless system will use.

How do you decide what size tankless water heater to get?

Here is a general outline of how a Koppy’s Propane technician identifies the right tankless water heater for your home:

• We’ll determine how many Btu per gallon the tankless heater will need to achieve a water temperature of 120 degrees.
• We will look at the flow rate of every fixture and appliance in your home that uses hot water. This will tell us the peak hot water demand in your home.
• With these metrics, we use a formula to figure out the kind of product you need to accommodate your peak hot water usage. Once this system is in place, you won’t need to worry about your shower running cold because the dishwasher is on!

Koppy’s Propane — your tankless water heater connection!

In Luzerne County, Cumberland County and other counties in central and southeast Pennsylvania, households turn to the experts at Koppy’s Propane for propane appliance installation and service. We’ll find the best tankless hot water system for your home, install it promptly and correctly and ensure it runs efficiently for its longest service life.

Let’s talk about upgrading your home’s hot water equipment. Drop us a line to receive a free estimate.