Tankless hot water heaters are common in Europe and Japan. They can supply an endless supply of hot water, with greater energy savings than conventional tanks. They are, however, limited in the amount of hot water that can be produced at one time and the upfront costs are higher.
Belyea Bros. Limited installs the
Bosch ProTankless GWH 635 ES,
Noritz and
Navien units that are up to 98% efficient and can provide up to 4.5 gallons per minute at a 77°F temperature rise (the temp rise we require in Toronto to heat our incoming water). A basic installation of a unit is approximately $3500 + GST. Complications in venting or piping increase the cost of installation.
In our experience, the most successful applications of these units are in households where the whole family is committed to being more energy efficient. This may include the use of high efficiency dishwashers and washing machines (that heat their own water), low flow showerheads, and a willingness to adapt water usage.
