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 immediately to the right temperature when requested. This innovative water heating method has a number of benefits, but before you switch to a tankless system it’s a good idea to make sure it’s feasible for your home in the U.S..

How Does a Tankless Water Heater Supply Hot Water?

When you turn on a hot water tap, a sensor in the tankless unit detects the flow of water. This triggers 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. When you turn off the tap, the unit turns off 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 experience these fantastic perks:

  1. Tankless water heaters supply bountiful hot water: Envision your family happily taking numerous back-to-back showers without the last person in line running out of hot water. That’s the reality of using a tankless unit, which provides virtually endless hot water as it flows 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 traditional tank-style models. The less hot water you use, the more power 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 just in case you might request it.
  1. Tankless water heaters have a longer lifespan: If you think you’ll be living 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 are compact: You may be accustomed to the large, cylindrical tank in your tank-style water heater. However, it doesn’t need 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 less risk of water damage with a tankless system: Because tankless water heaters don’t have a big storage tank, there’s no risk of a burst tank flooding your home.

Is a Tankless Water Heater the Right Choice?

Tankless water heaters are an energy-saving 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:

  • A tankless water heater usually costs more up front: Tankless systems usually have a larger 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 by design: Tankless units are available in both electric and gas designs. Gas units have a stronger flow rate but require venting to safely release exhaust gases from your residence. If you lack a vent, installing one in your home will add to 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 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 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 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 possible, 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: Because tankless heaters don’t retain heated water, they can only provide a certain amount of hot water at once. The unit’s flow rate indicates how much hot water you can access simultaneously, which is an important factor to consider if you have a house full of people with someone always wanting a shower when the dishwasher and washing machine are running! One solution to avoid a lack of hot water is to install multiple point-of-use models in high-demand faucets. However, this boosts 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 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. While merely a slight annoyance, it’s worth knowing about.

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

The team at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing is here to help you select 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 operating 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!

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