What Is a Tankless Water Heater

A tankless water heater, also called an on-demand water heater, is a compact system that heats water exactly when you need it. Instead of constantly storing a supply of hot water in a big tank, a tankless unit heats water instantly to the right temperature when requested. This advanced water heating method provides a number of advantages, but before you switch to a tankless system it’s smart to first make sure it’s suitable for your home in the U.S..

How Do Home Tankless Water Heaters Work?

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, according to your fuel source, which then quickly heats the water as it passes through the tankless water heater. When you turn off the tap, the 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 converted to tankless water heaters to enjoy these amazing perks:

  1. Tankless water heaters supply bountiful hot water: Picture your family happily taking several back-to-back showers without the last person in line getting a blast of cold water. That’s the advantage of installing a tankless unit, which supplies virtually endless hot water as needed rather than taking 30 to 60 minutes to warm up a tank of water.
  1. 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 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 continuously heat a big reservoir of hot water in the off chance you might request it.
  1. Tankless units have a longer service life: If you think you’ll be residing 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.
  1. 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 isn’t required to be this way. Most tankless systems are about the size of a carry-on suitcase mounted to the wall. This means you can install them in tight spaces such as utility closets or small utility rooms.
  1. There’s a reduced risk of water damage with a tankless system: Due to the fact that tankless water heaters don’t have a tank, there’s no risk of a leaky tank flooding your home.

Is a Tankless Water Heater Right for You?

Tankless water heaters are a cost-effective type of HVAC equipment, but they may not be perfect for every home. Evaluate these factors before taking the plunge into installing a tankless water heater in your residence:

  • 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 HVAC equipment 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 stronger flow rate but must have venting to safely release 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 simpler to install but are less powerful. They also don’t qualify for those cost-saving HVAC tax credits.
  • Tankless models must cope with extremely cold temperatures: Tankless systems heat water as it flows through the appliance, which demands a significant temperature increase. 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 example, if the groundwater temperature is 40°F during the dead of winter in a far northern state, and you want the water to be 110 degrees when it comes out of the shower head, your system must handle a 70-degree rise. Although this is possible, it’s near the maximum 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 heat a specific amount of hot water at a time. The unit’s flow rate tells you how much hot water you can access at once, 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 lack of hot water is to set up multiple point-of-use models in high-demand water taps. However, this raises upfront and operating costs.
  • Tankless water heaters create the cold water sandwich: Tankless water heaters produce a “cold water sandwich,” which is a short burst of cold water formed when the water heater 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 slight annoyance, it’s better to know about it ahead of time.

Ask the Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing Team About 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 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 happy to assist! Just call 866-397-3787 today to get in touch with the team at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing!

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