What Is a Tankless Water Heater

A tankless water heater, also known as an on-demand water heater, is a space-saving system that heats water only when you need it. Instead of constantly keeping a supply of hot water in a large tank, a tankless unit heats water very quickly to the right temperature when requested. This cutting-edge 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 feasible for your home in the U.S..

Tankless Water Heaters: How Do They Work?

Once you turn on a hot water tap, technology in the tankless unit detects the flow of water. This triggers a gas burner or an electric heating system, depending on your fuel source, which then quickly heats the water as it flows through the tankless water heater. As soon as you turn off the tap, the system turns off and stops heating, which prevents inactive energy loss.

Five Reasons to Use a Tankless Water Heater

Many the U.S. residents have already switched to tankless water heaters to take advantage of these fantastic perks:

1. Tankless water heaters supply endless hot water: Envision your family happily taking multiple back-to-back showers without the last person in line getting a blast of cold water. That’s the reality that comes with a tankless unit, which delivers virtually endless hot water when requested rather than taking 30 to 60 minutes to reheat a tank of water.

2. Going tankless is an energy efficient solution: Tankless water heaters are up to 34% more energy efficient than tank water heaters. The less hot water you consume, the more electricity or gas and money you save. That’s because you only pay to heat the water you need, instead of paying for a tank-style unit to continuously heat a big tank of hot water in the off chance you might actually need it.

3. Tankless units have a longer service life: If you plan on staying in your home for many years, a tankless water heater is a great investment. These units last over 20 years, which is almost two times as long as traditional tank heaters—which only have an estimated lifespan of 10 to 15 years.

4. Tankless units don’t take up much space: You may be familiar with the large, cylindrical tank used by your tank-style water heater. However, it doesn’t have to be this way. Most tankless systems are about the size of a carry-on suitcase installed on 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: Due to the fact that 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 Heater Right for You?

Tankless water heaters are an efficient appliance, but they may not be perfect for every home. Consider these factors before taking the plunge into installing a tankless water heater in your residence:

• A tankless water heater usually costs more up front: Tankless systems require a higher upfront investment compared to traditional tank-style water heaters. However, tax credits and rebates for energy-efficient appliances are often available to reduce the cost.

• The power of tankless units varies depending on fuel source: Tankless units are available in both electric and gas designs. Gas units have a greater flow rate but must have venting to safely discharge exhaust gases from your home. If you lack a vent, installing one in your home will raise the installation cost. Electric models are more straightforward to install but have lower performance. 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 is 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 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: Since tankless heaters don’t store heated water, they can only make a specific amount of hot water at a time. The system’s flow rate indicates how much hot water you can access simultaneously, which is an important factor to consider if you have a house full of people with someone always wanting a shower while the dishwasher and washing machine are running! An easy way to prevent a lack of hot water is to place multiple point-of-use models in high-demand locations. However, this raises upfront and operating costs.

• Tankless water heaters create the cold water sandwich: Tankless water heaters are known for producing a “cold water sandwich,” the short burst of cold water created when the water heater turns off and on again. It also happens if you only run a trickle of hot water that isn’t enough to keep the tankless unit running. While merely a slight annoyance, it’s better to be ready for it.

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

The experienced professionals 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 feel confident that our pros will have your unit set up and running perfectly. Ready to upgrade? Have more questions? We’re ready to help! Just call 866-397-3787 today to reach the team at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing!