What Is a Tankless Water Heater

A tankless water heater, also called an on-demand water heater, is a small 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 instantly to the right temperature when requested. This innovative water heating method has a number of benefits, 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..

How Does a Tankless Water Heater Supply Hot Water?

When you use a hot water tap, technology in the tankless unit detects the movement of water. This activates a gas burner or an electric heating system, based on your fuel source, which then quickly heats the water as it passes through the tankless water heater. As soon as you turn off the tap, the system shuts down and stops heating, which prevents idle energy loss.

Five Reasons to Use a Tankless Water Heater

Many the U.S. residents have already opted for tankless water heaters to enjoy these fantastic perks:

1. Tankless water heaters supply lots of hot water: Envision your family happily taking multiple back-to-back showers without water running cold for the last person in line. That’s the benefit that comes with a tankless unit, which delivers virtually unlimited hot water as it flows rather than taking up to an hour to warm up a tank of water.

2. 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 electricity or gas and money you save. That’s all due to the fact that you only pay to heat the water you require, instead of paying for a tank-style unit to continuously heat a big tank of hot water in the off chance you might request it.

3. You typically get more years of service from a tankless water heater: If you think you’ll be residing in your home for an extending time frame, a tankless water heater is a wise 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.

4. Tankless units don’t take up much space: You may be used to the bulky, cylindrical tank in your tank-style water heater. However, it isn’t required to be like this. The majority of tankless systems are about the size of a carry-on suitcase mounted to the wall. This means you can mount them in tight spaces such as utility closets or small utility rooms.

5. 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 leaky tank damaging your home.

Is a Tankless Water Heating System the Right Choice for Me?

Tankless water heaters are an efficient type of HVAC equipment, but they aren’t always perfect for every home. Evaluate these factors before switching to a tankless system:

• A tankless water heater usually costs more up front: Tankless systems usually have a higher upfront investment compared to the old 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 by design: Tankless units are available in both electric and gas models. Gas units have a greater flow rate but must have venting to safely expel exhaust gases from your residence. If you lack a vent, installing one in your home will raise the installation cost. Electric models are more straightforward to install but are less powerful. They also aren’t eligible for those cost-saving HVAC tax credits.

• Tankless models must cope with extremely cold temperatures: Tankless systems heat water as it flows through the appliance, which demands a significant temperature boost. The colder the unheated water, the more powerful the heater must be and the more energy the tankless unit will use. For instance, if the groundwater temperature is 40°F during the winter in a state up north, and you want to take a shower in 110-degree water, your system must handle a 70-degree rise. While this is achievable, it’s near the top of what most gas-fired tankless water heaters can handle.

• Flow rate can be limited if too many appliances are used at once: Due to the fact that tankless heaters don’t retain heated water, they can only make a certain amount of hot water at once. The unit’s flow rate indicates how much hot water you can consume at once, which is an important factor to consider if you have a house full of people who always want to shower while the dishwasher and washing machine are running! One solution to avoid a drop in hot water is to place multiple point-of-use models in high-demand locations. On the other hand, this boosts upfront and operating costs.

• Tankless water heaters create something known as the cold water sandwich: Tankless water heaters are known for producing a “cold water sandwich,” which is a short burst of cold water made when the water heater cycles off and on. It also occurs if you only run a trickle of hot water that isn’t enough to keep the tankless unit running. While merely a minor annoyance, it’s worth knowing about.

? Call Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing Today!

Your local experts at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing are here to help you find the right water heating solution, whether that’s a tankless system or a traditional storage tank model. Thanks to our 100% satisfaction guarantee, you can rest assured that our pros will have your unit set up and working perfectly. Ready to upgrade? Have more questions? We’re happy to assist! Just call 866-397-3787 today to contact the team at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing!