Benefits of Tankless Water Heaters

The technology employed by water heaters has been around for a hundred years and has been virtually unchanged in all that time. This is mainly because that technology worked so well back then and still works today. Traditional water heaters use tanks that heat and store water ready for use. You always have hot water on hand just in case. Whether or not the water is used, energy is still put out to keep it hot. This can be wasteful and energy inefficient.

Tankless water heaters, also known as demand or instantaneous water heaters, are an excellent alternative to conventional tank heaters. Tankless water heaters heat water on demand rather than keeping hot water in reserve. Because they don’t have to keep a volume of water hot indefinitely on standby, they require less energy than tank heaters and generate lower utility costs. The difference can be as much as 30%. Tankless water heaters have very high efficiency ratings at nearly 99%. With more and more attention being paid to energy conservation and environmental issues, tankless water heaters have become very popular.

Tankless water heaters can be operated electrically or with natural gas or propane. In general, gas tankless water heater models can heat more water faster for less money. Electric tankless water heaters need access to a lot of electric power to rapidly heat water. It’s best to install tankless water heaters in new construction because an already built home may not have proper venting or the necessary hook-ups available, and it can cost a lot to make the house compatible with a tankless water heater. If you’re involved in building a new construction, you’re going to have to get a new water heater anyway, so you might as well get the best kind, the tankless water heater. The cost difference is really not that much.

You may wonder about the output of a tankless water heat in comparison to a tank heater. Gas tankless water heaters that provide hot water for whole homes can heat over 5 gallons of water by 60 degrees F each minute. That’s enough water to supply two showers running at the same time. You won’t have to sacrifice convenience when you choose a tankless water heater.

One of the main benefits of tankless water heaters is its size. These units are a fraction of the size of conventional tank heaters and require far less space. This makes them perfect for condos and small homes where space is a premium. Tankless water heaters can also be installed on the outside of the home to save even more space.

Even though tankless water heaters typically cost more than tank heaters, if you compare their initial cost to the cost of high efficiency tank heaters, they are comparable. Installing a tankless water heater will also add value to your property, as these are very desirable features in new homes.

Most tankless water heaters are “whole-house” water heaters meaning they supply all of the hot water needs for the whole home including appliances. These are the largest tankless water heaters. There are, however, smaller units called “point of use” units that go under sinks and in easy to access areas. These units provide hot water for a specific outlet. Some newer heated pools and spas are starting to use tankless water heaters as well.

The average tank heater has a life span of 10 years. Tankless water heaters will last twice as long or longer. They are not exposed to the same type of corrosion that dooms tank heaters. Because tank heaters don’t last all that long, a lot of them end up in the landfill where they are not biodegradable. All that waste could be drastically reduced if everyone used tankless water heaters.

If you use solar power to heat your home and your water, it’s a good idea to have a back up for a cloudy day. Otherwise, you might find yourself unable to take a warm shower. Tankless water heaters are good choice because they don’t take up a lot of room and can be hidden inconspicuously. Because they only provide hot water on demand, you won’t have to worry about paying utility costs to keep the backup on standby. You can just turn to the tankless heater when it’s needed and forget about it when it’s not.

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