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 just when you need it. Instead of constantly storing a supply of hot water in a large tank, a tankless unit heats water instantly 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..

How Does a Tankless Water Heater Supply Hot Water?

As soon as you turn on a hot water tap, a sensor in the tankless unit detects the flow 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 flows through the tankless water heater. As soon as you turn off the tap, the tankless unit shuts down 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 take advantage of these amazing perks:

1. Tankless water heaters supply endless hot water: Imagine your family happily taking multiple back-to-back showers without the last person in line running out of hot water. That’s the benefit of using a tankless unit, which provides virtually unlimited hot water as needed rather than taking 30 to 60 minutes to restore a tank of water.

2. Going tankless is an energy efficient solution: Tankless water heaters are up to 34% more energy efficient than traditional tank-style models. The less hot water you consume, 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 use, instead of paying for a tank-style unit to constantly heat a big reservoir of hot water in the off chance you might actually need it.

3. You typically get more years of service from a tankless water heater: If you plan on residing in your home for an extending time frame, a tankless water heater is a smart investment. These units last over 20 years, which is almost two times 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 familiar with the large, cylindrical tank used by your tank-style water heater. However, it doesn’t need 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 less 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 leaky tank flooding your home.

Is a Tankless Water Heater Right for You?

Tankless water heaters are an efficient type of HVAC equipment, but they may not be ideal for every home. Evaluate these factors before making the switch in your the U.S. home:

• The cost of buying and installing a tankless water heater is usually higher: Tankless systems require a larger upfront investment compared to traditional tank-style water heaters. However, tax credits and rebates for energy-efficient home HVAC technology 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 will need venting to safely expel exhaust gases from your residence. If you don’t already have a vent, installing one in your home will raise the installation cost. Electric models are simpler to install but have lower performance. They also aren’t eligible for 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 requires 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 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 possible, it’s near the top of what most gas-fired tankless water heaters can handle.

• Flow rate can be limited if too many users want hot water at the same time: Since tankless heaters don’t hold heated water, they can only make a limited amount of hot water at a time. The system’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 set up multiple point-of-use models in high-demand locations. However, this raises 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 turns off and on again. It also happens if you only run a trickle of hot water that doesn’t provide enough flow to keep the tankless unit running. While merely a small annoyance, it’s better to know about it ahead of time.

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

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 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. Considering an upgrade? Have more questions? We’re happy to assist! Just call 866-397-3787 today to reach the team at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing!