What Is a Tankless Water Heater?
A tankless water heater, often called an on-demand water heater, is a compact system that heats water only when you require it. Instead of storing hot water in a bulky reservoir, the unit heats water instantaneously to the optimal warmth and delivers it directly to your faucet. This advanced water heating method delivers many benefits, but make sure it’s practical for your home before making the switch.
How Does a Tankless Water Heating System Work?
The moment you use 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. When you turn off the tap, the system shuts down and stops heating, which avoids standby energy loss.
Perks of Tankless Water Heaters
More homeowners in Phoenix are adopting tankless water heaters to enjoy these excellent perks:
Endless hot water: Envision your family taking multiple 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 needing 30 to 60 minutes to reheat a tank of water.
- Energy efficiency: Tankless water heaters are up to 34% more energy efficient than tank-style water heating units. The lesser amount of hot water you use, the bigger your energy savings. After all, you only pay for 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 often are in service more than 20 years, almost double the lifespan of traditional tank heaters—which have an estimated 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 mounted to the wall. Because of this you can install tankless water heaters in limited locations like closets or small utility rooms.
- Lower risk of water damage: Because tankless water heaters lack a tank, there’s no risk of a burst unit damaging your home.
Is Using a Tankless Water Heater Right for You?
Tankless water heaters are energy-saving, cost-effective technology, but they aren’t ideal for every home. Think about these factors before switching to a tankless system:
- Higher initial costs: Tankless systems demand a higher upfront price tag 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 units are available in electric and gas models. Gas units have a higher flow rate but require venting to safely expel exhaust gases. If your home doesn’t already have a vent, putting in one will add to the installation cost. Electric models are simpler to install but are restricted in that they have less powerful performance. They also aren’t eligible for energy-efficiency tax credits.
- Temperature rise requirements: Tankless systems heat water as it flows through, which is 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 your sink, your system must handle a 70-degree rise. While possible, this is the maximum capacity of most gas-fired tankless water heaters.
- Limited flow rate: Since tankless heaters don’t store water, they can only supply a certain amount of hot water at a time. The unit’s flow rate tells you how much hot water you can use simultaneously, a crucial consideration if you have a houseful of people trying to shower while the dishwasher and washing machine are also in use! One solution to prevent a drop in hot water is to install multiple point-of-use models in high-demand locations. But, this raises 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 trickle of hot water, which is not enough to keep the tankless unit running. While merely a small drawback, it’s worth knowing about before making the switch.
