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 exactly when you need it. Instead of constantly holding a supply of hot water in a big tank, a tankless unit heats water immediately to the right temperature when requested. This advanced water heating method offers a number of benefits, but before you switch to a tankless system it’s smart to first make sure it’s feasible for your home in the U.S..

How Do Home Tankless Water Heaters Work?

As soon as you open a hot water tap, technology 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 passes through the tankless water heater. As soon as 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 switched to tankless water heaters to take advantage of these fantastic perks:

1. Tankless water heaters supply lots of hot water: Imagine your family happily taking several back-to-back showers without the last person in line running out of hot water. That’s the benefit of installing 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. Energy efficiency: Tankless water heaters are up to 34% more energy efficient than tank water heaters. 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 constantly heat a big tank of hot water in the off chance you might actually need it.

3. Tankless water heaters have a longer lifespan: If you plan on staying in your home for an extending time frame, 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 are compact: You may be used to the bulky, cylindrical tank used by your tank-style water heater. However, it doesn’t have to be this way. The majority of tankless systems are about the size of a carry-on suitcase mounted to the wall. This means you can place them in tight spaces such as utility closets or small utility rooms.

5. 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 burst tank flooding your home.

Is a Tankless Water Heater Right for You?

Tankless water heaters are a cost-effective appliance, but they aren’t perfect for every home. Consider these factors before taking the plunge into installing a tankless water heater in your residence:

• The cost of buying and installing a tankless water heater is usually higher: Tankless systems require a higher upfront investment compared to the old tank-style water heaters. However, tax credits and rebates for energy-efficient HVAC equipment are often available to reduce the cost.

• The power of tankless units varies depending on fuel source: Tankless units come in both electric and gas designs. Gas units have a higher flow rate but must have venting to safely expel exhaust gases from your residence. If you don’t yet have a vent, installing one in your home will add to the installation cost. Electric models are easier 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 demands a significant temperature increase. The colder the water is before it’s heated, the more powerful the heater must be and the more energy it uses. For example, if the groundwater temperature is 40°F in a northern state, 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 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 hold heated water, they can only supply a certain amount of hot water at once. The unit’s flow rate tells you how much hot water you can access simultaneously, which is an important factor to consider 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 drop in 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,” which is a short burst of cold water made when the unit starts and stops. 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 small annoyance, it’s worth knowing about.

Work with Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing for Tankless Water Heaters in the U.S.

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 water heater 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 operating perfectly. Thinking about 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!