What Is a Tankless Water Heater

A tankless water heater, also referred to 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 immediately to the right temperature when requested. This advanced water heating method has a number of advantages, but before you switch to a tankless system it’s important to make sure it’s suitable for your home in the U.S..

How Do Home Tankless Water Heaters Work?

When you open 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 passes through the tankless water heater. When you turn off the tap, the system shuts down and stops heating, which prevents standby energy loss.

Five Ways Tankless Water Heaters Benefit Your Home

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

1. Tankless water heaters supply lots of hot water: Envision your family happily taking several back-to-back showers without the last person in line getting a blast of cold water. That’s the reality of using a tankless unit, which delivers virtually unlimited hot water when requested rather than taking 30 to 60 minutes 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 models. The less hot water you consume, the more power 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 constantly heat a big tank of hot water just in case you might request it.

3. Tankless water heaters have a longer lifespan: If you think you’ll be residing in your home for many years, a tankless water heater is a wise investment. These units last over 20 years, which is almost twice as long as traditional tank heaters—which typically only last 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. Most tankless systems are about the size of a carry-on suitcase attached to the wall. This means you can install 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 ruptured unit damaging your home.

Is a Tankless Water Heater Right for You?

Tankless water heaters are an energy-saving appliance, but they aren’t ideal for every home. Take into account 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 usually have a larger upfront investment compared to the old tank-style water heaters. But, 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 must have venting to safely release 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 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 unit, which demands a significant temperature jump from the water’s unheated temperature to nice and warm. The colder the unheated 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 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. While this is achievable, it’s near the maximum 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 provide a certain amount of hot water at once. 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 who always want to shower at the same time the dishwasher and washing machine are running! One solution to avoid a lack of hot water is to place multiple point-of-use models in high-demand water taps. On the other hand, this increases 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,” a short burst of cold water formed when the appliance turns off and on again. It also occurs 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 be ready for it.

Interested in 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 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 installed and running perfectly. Ready to 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!