If you’re looking to upgrade your home’s water heating system, you’ll likely benefit most from a tankless water heater. They include a range of advantages that tank heaters simply don’t have.
Below we have included a guide on how tankless water heaters work and what the benefits are of using them:
How Do They Work?
Rather than storing and heating water continually, tankless water heaters heat the water as you need to use it. That’s why they’re often referred to as on-demand water heaters. By heating water in this way, standby heat loss can be entirely avoided and you don’t have to wait for hot water.
A heat exchanger is used to raise the temperature of the water as you need it. The heat is transferred from either a gas burner or electric coils to the water that comes out of your taps. This heating process is immediately instigated when you turn on your taps and water begins flowing.
Cost-Effectiveness and Safety
One major benefit of tankless water heaters is that they can save you a considerable amount of money on your energy bills. This is because less energy is used to heat the water than it is in a standard tank water heater. As explained above, the water is instantaneously heated instead of stored, leading to lower operating and energy costs.
In addition, tank water heaters can pose major threats if overheated or overpressurized, including rupture. Tankless heaters are safer because they don’t include a tank and therefore don’t present the dangers that come with excess heat or pressure in a tank water heater.
Environmental Benefits
Tankless water heaters use up much less energy has many benefits and these include environmental benefits. Because it takes less energy to heat water with a tankless water heater, your overall energy usage will be much lower over the course of the year.
If you’re looking to reduce your energy impact on the environment, a tankless water heater is a great option. Tankless water heaters are overall a greener and cleaner alternative to regular tank water heaters.
Installation Costs and Flow Rate
While there are many benefits to a tankless water heater, there are also some potential drawbacks to take into consideration when deciding if a tankless heater is best for you.
One potential disadvantage is that the installation costs for a tankless water heater will be higher than the cost of a tank water heater installation. Often, however, the long-term savings that tankless heaters provide justify the higher initial installation cost.
Another possible drawback is that a tankless heater’s output can limit the flow rate of your water. That means that its capacity to supply enough hot water for simultaneous water usage is limited. For example, running the washing machine and taking a shower at the same time can push a tankless heater to its limit. You can offset these limitations by purchasing a gas-fired tankless water heater as opposed to an electric one because gas-fired heaters tend to produce higher flow rates.
Choosing a Tankless Water Heater
Selecting the right tankless water heater is about choosing the model that can reach the right maximum temperature that’s possible at a given flow rate for your needs.
Choosing a water heater that’s small just to save money is not a good idea. You should first analyze your water usage, how many appliances or taps will be using the hot water, simultaneous usage needs, and your flow rate. Then you should consider the required temperature rise and select a tankless water heater that meets your needs.
Durability and Longevity
Tankless water heaters generally have a life expectancy of over 20 years, which can be another big money-saver in the long run. In comparison, tank water heaters tend to last closer to 10–15 years.
Tankless water heater parts are also easier to replace than those for a tank water heater, which can help extend its life even longer. These heaters are a good option to consider if you’re wanting to invest in a water heater that will not only reduce your energy bills but also give you long-term security.
Now that you know all about tankless water heaters and how they work, you can make an informed decision regarding whether or not they’re right for you and your home. If you’re ready to upgrade to a tankless water heater, contact us and request a service today.