The flow sensor modulates the energy consumption to meet the demand for hot water. Flow switch activation, on the other hand, activates the unit by either switching power on or off to the heating elements instead of modulating.
Black+Decker Electric Tankless Hot Water Heaters provides you with endless hot water only when you need it, without the wait or worry of ever running out. Unlike conventional tank water heaters, which constantly consume energy to keep your water hot 24/7, this state-of-the-art, digital technology will instantly reduce your energy consumption and save you money on energy costs simply by heating water on demand. The unit does NOT require any gas lines or venting, and the compact design allows you flexibility to install virtually anywhere – in a cabinet, closet, garage, basement, etc. You can be sure to earn some precious space by installing this unit! Black+Decker Electric Tankless Water Heaters also offers a great value with the assurance the category’s strongest warranty – 7 years leakage free, 5 years on the heat exchanger, and 2 years parts only. (IMPORTANT: inlet temps vary by location and seasonality. Selecting the right water heater depends on your incoming water temperature, flow rate, and desired output temperature. – See Performance Guide or Manual before purchasing.) Should you have any questions and need further assistance, give of our technical support agents a call at 1-844-746-6688, Monday – Friday, 9AM-5:30PM EST.
• Can serve up to 6 applications (4 showers and 2 faucets in in Warm to Hot Climates) • Reference the performance guide to confirm this unit will provide sufficient hot water to meet your need • Requires 3 x 40A double-pole breakers, 3 x 8/2 AWG wires, 240V • Saves up to 50% on water heating costs • Stainless Steel, non-corrosive, lead free internal canisters and piping • Standard 1/2 in. NPT (straight thread) fittings • Easy-to-use digital control allows you to set the desired temperature in increments of 1F • Flow sensor will turn unit on automatically • Flow Rate @ 35°F Rise = 5.2 GPM / Flow Rate @ 45°F Rise = 4 GPM / Flow Rate @ 55°F Rise = 3.2 GPM / Flow Rate @ 65°F Rise = 2.72 GPM • Lead Free • cETL Certified • Easy Installation – NO venting, gas lines or T and P valve necessary • Warranty – 7 years leakage free, 5 years on the heat exchanger, and 2 years parts only • Ideal for commercial or residentialClick here for Installation Manual
This modulating helps reduce the amount of gas you will burn, thus reducing the total cost of operating the water heater. Almost all the tankless water heaters we have reviewed are modulating. Our opinion is that this is an absolute must have.
For example, if you have a tankless water heater rated at max flow rate of 8.0 GPM with 152,000 BTU. This unit will use 152,000 BTUs to heat up 8 gallons of water. So if you are washing your hands in the bathroom, you will most likely need around 0.5-1.5 GPM. A modulating tankless water heater will only use enough BTUs (roughly 25,000 BTUs) to heat up the 0.5-1.5 GPM. Now if you are taking a shower (2 GPM), running the dishwasher (1 GPM) and doing a load of laundry (2 GPM) for a total of 5 GPM, the water heater will use roughly 95,000 BTUs.
Modulating is basically matching the burner output to the demand. A good analogy is a car. Your car has a wide range of speeds. You control the speed by the gas pedal. You want to go faster you step on the accelerator resulting in burning more gas. A modulating tankless works in the same since, but instead of “speed” its hot water. When you need more hot water your tankless burns more gas.
One thing to consider, which many manufactures don’t openly share is, the energy factor is based on max BTU operation. The energy factor drops as the BTU’s used is drops. For a more in depth understanding of this we recommend reading this article.
FAQ
What is the most common problems with tankless water heaters?
How many gallons per minute do I need for a tankless hot water heater?
- Mineral Buildup.
- System Overload.
- Cold Water Sandwich.
- Air Supply or Exhaust Blockage.
- Ignition Failure.
- Flame Failure.
What is the best setting for a tankless water heater?
What is a flow rate and what should I ask for? Consider how many of these needs you may have simultaneously to determine the maximum flow rate you require. For a home with 1 bathroom, we recommend 6-7 GPM; 2 bathrooms, 8 – 9 GPM; and 3+ bathrooms, 9-11 GPM.
