What Is a Tankless Water Heater
A tankless water heater, also referred to as an on-demand water heater, is a compact system that heats water exactly when you need it. Instead of constantly holding a supply of hot water in a big tank, a tankless unit heats water very quickly to the right temperature when requested. This cutting-edge water heating method has a number of advantages, but before you switch to a tankless system it’s important to make sure it’s practical for your home in the U.S..
How Does a Tankless Water Heater Supply Hot Water?
Once you turn on a hot water tap, technology in the tankless unit detects the movement of water. This turns on a gas burner or an electric heating system, according to your fuel source, which then rapidly heats the water as it passes through the tankless water heater. When you turn off the tap, the tankless unit shuts down and stops heating, which prevents inactive 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 incredible perks:
- Tankless water heaters supply lots of hot water: Imagine your family happily taking multiple back-to-back showers without water running cold for the last person in line. That’s the benefit of installing a tankless unit, which provides virtually unlimited hot water when requested rather than taking up to an hour to reheat a tank of water.
- Going tankless is an energy efficient solution: Tankless water heaters are up to 34% more energy efficient than tank models. The less hot water you use, the more power and money you save. That’s because you only pay to heat the water you require, instead of paying for a tank-style unit to always heat a big reservoir of hot water just in case you might request it.
- Tankless units have a longer service life: If you plan on living in your home for many years, a tankless water heater is a great investment. These units last more than 20 years, which is almost twice as long as traditional tank heaters—which only have an estimated lifespan of 10 to 15 years.
- Tankless units don’t take up much space: You may be accustomed to the big, cylindrical tank that’s part of your tank-style water heater. However, it doesn’t have to be like this. Many tankless systems are about the size of a carry-on suitcase mounted to the wall. This means you can mount them in tight spaces like utility closets or small utility rooms.
- There’s a lower risk risk of water damage with a tankless system: Due to the fact that tankless water heaters don’t have a large reservoir of heated water, there’s no risk of a ruptured unit damaging your home.
Is a Tankless Water Heater Right for You?
Tankless water heaters are a cost-effective type of HVAC equipment, but they aren’t perfect for every home. Take into account these factors before making the switch in your the U.S. home:
- Tankless units have a higher initial cost: Tankless systems require a greater 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 and some models require venting: Tankless units are available in both electric and gas models. Gas units have a greater flow rate but require venting to safely expel 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 are less powerful. They also can’t be purchased with help from those cost-saving HVAC tax credits.
- Tankless models must cope with temperature rise requirements caused by extreme weather: Tankless systems heat water as it flows through the appliance, which is a significant temperature jump from the water’s unheated temperature to nice and warm. The colder the incoming 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 110-degree water to flow from the tap, your system must handle a 70-degree rise. Although this is achievable, it’s near the upper limit 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 retain heated water, they can only heat a specific amount of hot water at a time. The system’s flow rate tells you how much hot water you can access simultaneously, which is an important consideration if you have a house full of people with someone always wanting a 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 faucets. On the other hand, this boosts upfront and operating costs.
- Tankless water heaters create a cold water sandwich: Tankless water heaters produce a “cold water sandwich,” which is a short burst of cold water made when the water heater starts and stops. It also happens if you only run a trickle of hot water that isn’t sufficient to keep the tankless unit running. Although this is only a slight annoyance, it’s worth knowing about.
Ask the Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing Team About Tankless Water Heaters in the U.S.
The team at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing is here to help you find the right water heating solution, whether that’s a tankless water heater 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 installed and operating perfectly. Thinking about an upgrade? Have more questions? We’re here to support you! Just call 866-397-3787 today to reach the team at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing!