What Is a Tankless Water Heater
A tankless water heater, also called an on-demand water heater, is a space-saving system that heats water exactly when you need it. Instead of constantly holding a supply of hot water in a large tank, a tankless unit heats water immediately to the right temperature when requested. This advanced water heating method has a number of perks, but before you switch to a tankless system it’s a good idea to make sure it’s suitable for your home in the U.S..
Tankless Water Heaters: How Do They Work?
When you open a hot water tap, a sensor in the tankless unit detects the movement of water. This activates a gas burner or an electric heating system, according to your fuel source, which then almost instantly heats the water as it passes through the tankless water heater. As soon as you turn off the tap, the unit turns off and stops heating, which prevents standby energy loss.
Five Benefits of Tankless Water Heaters
Many the U.S. residents have already switched to tankless water heaters to experience these fantastic perks:
- Tankless water heaters supply bountiful hot water: Picture your family happily taking multiple back-to-back showers without water running cold for the last person in line. That’s the reality of installing a tankless unit, which provides virtually unlimited hot water as needed rather than taking up to an hour to reheat a tank of water.
- Increase your home’s energy efficiency: Tankless water heaters are up to 34% more energy efficient than tank water heaters. The less hot water you require, the more power and money you save. After all, you only pay to heat the water you use, instead of paying for a tank-style unit to constantly heat a big reservoir of hot water just in case you might request it.
- Tankless water heaters have a longer lifespan: If you plan on living in your home for an extending time frame, a tankless water heater is a great investment. These units last more than 20 years, which is nearly double as long as traditional tank heaters—which generally last about 10 to 15 years.
- Tankless units don’t take up much space: You may be familiar with the big, cylindrical tank that’s part of your tank-style water heater. However, it isn’t required to be this way. Many tankless systems are about the size of a carry-on suitcase mounted to the wall. This means you can place them in tight spaces like utility closets or small utility rooms.
- There’s a reduced risk of water damage with a tankless system: Since tankless water heaters don’t have a big storage tank, there’s no risk of a burst tank flooding your home.
Is a Tankless Water Heating System the Right Choice for Me?
Tankless water heaters are an energy-saving appliance, but they may not be perfect for every home. Evaluate these factors before making the switch in your the U.S. home:
- Tankless units have a higher initial cost: Tankless systems require a larger upfront investment compared to traditional tank-style water heaters. But, tax credits and rebates for energy-efficient HVAC equipment are often available to reduce the cost.
- The power of tankless units varies and some models require venting: Tankless units come in both electric and gas models. Gas units have a greater flow rate but will need venting to safely expel exhaust gases from your residence. If you don’t yet have a vent, installing one in your home will increase the installation cost. Electric models are more straightforward to install but are less powerful. They also can’t be purchased with help from those cost-saving HVAC tax credits.
- Tankless models must cope with very cold weather: Tankless systems heat water as it flows through the unit, which demands a significant temperature jump from the water’s unheated temperature to nice and warm. The colder the water is before it’s heated, the more powerful the heater must be and the more energy the tankless system will need to heat the water to the desired temperature. For instance, if the groundwater temperature is 40°F during the dead of winter in a far northern state, and you want 110-degree water to flow from the tap, your system must handle a 70-degree rise. Although this is possible, it’s near the upper limit of what most gas-fired tankless water heaters can handle.
- Flow rate can be limited when multiple appliances are being used: Due to the fact that tankless heaters don’t hold heated water, they can only make a specific amount of hot water at once. The unit’s flow rate tells you how much hot water you can access simultaneously, which is an important factor to consider if you have a house full of people who always want to shower when the dishwasher and washing machine are running! One solution to avoid a drop in hot water is to install multiple point-of-use models in high-demand faucets. However, this raises upfront and operating costs.
- Tankless water heaters create something known as the cold water sandwich: Tankless water heaters produce a “cold water sandwich,” a short burst of cold water created when the appliance starts and stops. It also occurs if you only run a trickle of hot water that isn’t sufficient to keep the tankless unit running. While merely a small annoyance, it’s worth knowing about.
? Call Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing Today!
The experienced professionals at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing are here to help you select the right water heating solution, whether that’s a tankless system or a traditional storage tank model. Thanks to our 100% satisfaction guarantee, you will have peace of mind knowing that our pros will have your unit set up and operating perfectly. Considering an upgrade? Have more questions? We’re ready to help! Just call 866-397-3787 today to contact the team at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing!