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 a good idea to make sure it’s practical for your home in the U.S..

How Does a Tankless Water Heater Supply Hot Water?

As soon as you open a hot water tap, a sensor in the tankless unit detects the flow of water. This turns on a gas burner or an electric heating element, based on your fuel source, which then almost instantly heats the water as it passes through the tankless water heater. Once you turn off the tap, the tankless unit shuts down and stops heating, which prevents inactive energy loss.

Five Benefits of Tankless Water Heaters

Many the U.S. residents have already opted for tankless water heaters to experience these amazing perks:

  1. Tankless water heaters supply lots of hot water: Imagine your family happily taking numerous back-to-back showers without the last person in line running out of hot water. That’s the advantage of installing a tankless unit, which provides virtually unlimited hot water when requested rather than taking up to an hour to restore a tank of water.
  1. Energy efficiency: Tankless water heaters are up to 34% more energy efficient than tank water heaters. 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 request it.
  1. You typically get more years of service from a tankless water heater: If you think you’ll be staying in your home for the long haul, a tankless water heater is a wise investment. These units last more than 20 years, which is nearly double as long as traditional tank heaters—which generally last about 10 to 15 years.
  1. Tankless units have a space-saving design: You may be used to the bulky, cylindrical tank that’s part of 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 place them in tight spaces such as utility closets or small utility rooms.
  1. 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 tank, there’s no risk of a burst tank damaging 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 ideal for every home. Take into account these factors before taking the plunge into installing a tankless water heater in your residence:

  • A tankless water heater usually costs more up front: Tankless systems usually have a larger 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 electric or gas models. Gas units have a greater flow rate but will need venting to safely discharge exhaust gases from your home. If you lack a vent, installing one in your home will increase the installation cost. Electric models are more straightforward to install but are less powerful. They also don’t qualify for 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 boost. The colder the water is before it’s heated, the more powerful the heater must be and the more energy the tankless unit will use. For example, if the groundwater temperature is 40°F during the winter in a state up north, and you want to take a shower in 110-degree water, 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 when multiple appliances are being used: Due to the fact that tankless heaters don’t hold heated water, they can only make a limited amount of hot water at once. The system’s flow rate tells you how much hot water you can access at the same time, 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! An easy way to prevent a lack of hot water is to install multiple point-of-use models in high-demand water taps. On the other hand, this boosts upfront and operating costs.
  • Tankless water heaters create something known as the cold water sandwich: Tankless water heaters produce a “cold water sandwich,” a short burst of cold water made when the unit turns off and on again. It also occurs if you only run a trickle of hot water that isn’t enough to keep the tankless unit running. Although this is only a minor annoyance, it’s better to know about it ahead of time.

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

Your local experts at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing are here to help you choose 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. 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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