Tankless Water Heater: Is One Right for Your Home?
A tankless water heater, commonly referred to as an on-demand water heater, is a compact system that warms water only when you require it. Unlike traditional systems that store hot water in a conventional storage tank, the unit provides hot water immediately at the optimal warmth and delivers it directly to your faucet. This advanced water heating method offers many benefits, but make sure it’s feasible for your home before switching to a tankless system.
How Does a Tankless Water Heater Work?
As soon as you open a hot water tap, a sensor in the tankless unit senses the flow of water. This triggers either a gas burner or an electric heating element, depending on your fuel source, which quickly warms the water as it passes through. Once you turn off the tap, the system shuts down and quits heating, which eliminates standby energy loss.
Advantages of Tankless Water Heaters
More homeowners in Ellwood City are choosing tankless water heaters to experience these excellent perks:
Endless hot water: Imagine your family taking several back-to-back showers without the last person in line not having enough hot water. That’s the best part of a tankless unit, which delivers virtually unlimited hot water as it flows rather than requiring 30 to 60 minutes to replenish a tank of water.
- Energy efficiency: Tankless water heaters are up to 34% more energy efficient than tank models. The lower volume of hot water you use, the more you save. After all, you only pay to heat the hot water you actually need, instead of throwing money away heating a huge tank of water 24/7.
- Long lifespan: If you intend to stay in your home for the foreseeable future, a tankless water heater is a smart investment. These units often are in service more than 20 years, which is significantly longer than traditional tank heaters—which have an expected lifespan of 10 to 15 years.
- Compact design: You may be used to your large, cylindrical water heater tank, but it doesn’t have to be this way. Most tankless systems are no bigger than a carry-on suitcase mounted to the wall. This saves space because you can place tankless water heaters in compact areas like closets or small utility rooms.
- Lower risk of water damage: Since tankless water heaters lack a tank, there’s no possibility of a burst unit flooding your home.
Is Using a Tankless Water Heater Right for Your Home?
Tankless water heaters are eco-friendly, economical technology, but they may not be suitable for every home. Consider these factors before switching to a tankless system:
- Higher initial costs: Tankless systems demand a higher upfront price tag than traditional models. However, HVAC tax credits and rebates for energy-efficient appliances help reduce these costs.
- Fuel sources and venting requirements: Tankless water heaters are available in electric and gas models. Gas units have a higher performance capacity but must have venting to safely expel exhaust gases. If you don’t already have a vent, adding one will add to the installation cost. Electric models are simpler to install but are limited by their less powerful performance. They also can’t receive energy-efficiency tax credits.
- Temperature rise requirements: Tankless systems heat water as it flows through, which demands a significant temperature boost. The chillier the incoming water, the more efficient the heater must be and the more energy it needs. For instance, if the groundwater temperature is 40 degrees F in a northern state, and you want 110-degree water to flow from the tap, your system must manage a 70-degree rise. While possible, this is the peak capability of most gas-fired tankless systems.
- Limited flow rate: Since tankless heaters don’t retain water, they can only deliver a limited amount of hot water at any given time. The unit’s flow rate indicates how much hot water you can use simultaneously, a critical consideration if you have a houseful of people trying to shower while the dishwasher and washing machine are running! One option to avoid a drop in hot water is to install multiple point-of-use models in high-demand locations. However, this escalates installation and operating costs.
- The cold-water sandwich: Tankless water heaters create a “cold-water sandwich,” a short burst of cold water when the unit powers off and on again. It also takes place if you only run a small amount of hot water, which is insufficient to keep the tankless unit running. While it’s only a slight inconvenience, it’s worth understanding before making the switch.
