What Is a Tankless Water Heater?
A tankless water heater, also known as an on-demand water heater, is an efficient appliance that warms water only when you need it. Instead of storing hot water in a conventional storage tank, the unit provides hot water immediately at the desired heat level and delivers it directly to your faucet. This innovative water heating method offers many benefits, but make sure it’s practical for your home before making the switch.
How Do Tankless Water Heaters Work?
The moment you open a hot water tap, a sensor in the tankless unit senses the flow of water. This activates either a gas burner or an electric heating element, according to your fuel source, which swiftly raises the temperature of the water as it passes through. As soon as you turn off the tap, the system shuts down and quits heating, which prevents standby energy loss.
Benefits of Tankless Water Heaters
More homeowners in NE Ohio are adopting tankless water heaters to experience these impressive perks:
Endless hot water: Envision your family taking numerous back-to-back showers without the last person in line getting stuck with not enough hot water. That’s the advantage of a tankless unit, which supplies 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 energy you conserve. 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 long haul, a tankless water heater is a wise investment. These units serve homes 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 accustomed to your large, cylindrical water heater tank, but water heaters don’t have to look this way. Most tankless systems are about the size of a carry-on suitcase attached to the wall. This saves space because you can install tankless water heaters in tight spaces like closets or small utility rooms.
- Lower risk of water damage: Because tankless water heaters lack a tank, there’s no possibility of a ruptured unit damaging your home.
Is Using a Tankless Water Heater Right for You?
Tankless water heaters are eco-friendly, budget-friendly technology, but they might not be perfect for every home. Consider these factors before upgrading:
- Higher initial costs: Tankless systems require a higher upfront investment than traditional models. On the other hand, HVAC tax credits and rebates for green appliances help decrease these costs.
- Fuel sources and venting requirements: Tankless water heaters are available in electric and gas models. Gas units have a higher water output but need venting to safely remove exhaust gases. If your home doesn’t already have a vent, putting in one will raise the installation cost. Electric models are easier to install but are constrained by their less powerful performance. They also can’t receive energy-efficiency tax credits.
- Temperature rise requirements: Tankless systems warm water as it flows through, which requires a significant temperature boost. The chillier the incoming water, the more powerful the heater must be and the more energy it uses. For instance, if the groundwater temperature is 40 degrees F in a northern state, and you want 110-degree water in the bathroom, your system must accommodate a 70-degree rise. While possible, this is the upper limit 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 a time. The unit’s flow rate tells you how much hot water you can use simultaneously, a critical factor to consider if you have a houseful of people trying to shower while the dishwasher and washing machine are also being used! One option to prevent a drop in hot water is to install multiple point-of-use models in high-demand locations. However, this increases upfront and operating costs.
- The cold-water sandwich: Tankless water heaters generate a “cold-water sandwich,” a short surge of cold water when the unit powers off and on again. It also occurs if you only run a tiny amount of hot water, that isn’t enough to keep the tankless unit running. While merely a slight inconvenience, it’s worth being aware of before making the switch.
