Tankless Water Heater: Is One Right for Your Home?
A tankless water heater, also known as an on-demand water heater, is a compact system that warms water only when you require it. Instead of storing hot water in a large tank, the unit heats water instantaneously to the desired heat level and delivers it directly to your faucet. This cutting-edge water heating method delivers many benefits, but make sure it’s feasible for your home before upgrading.
How Does a Tankless Water Heater Work?
When you open a hot water tap, a sensor in the tankless unit detects the flow of water. This activates either a gas burner or an electric heating element, according to 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 eliminates standby energy loss.
Advantages of Tankless Water Heaters
More homeowners in Bethel Park are switching to tankless water heaters to benefit from these excellent perks:
Endless hot water: Envision your family taking numerous back-to-back showers without the last person in line not having enough hot water. That’s the advantage of a tankless unit, which provides virtually unlimited hot water as it flows rather than taking 30 to 60 minutes to replenish a tank of water.
- Energy efficiency: Tankless water heaters are up to 34% more energy efficient than traditional tank water heaters. The lower volume of hot water you use, the bigger your energy savings. After all, you only pay for the hot water you actually need, instead of wasting money heating a huge tank of water 24/7.
- Long lifespan: If you plan on staying in your home for an extended term, a tankless water heater is a great investment. These units often are in service more than 20 years, which is significantly longer than traditional tank heaters—which have a projected lifespan of 10 to 15 years.
- Compact design: You may be familiar with 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 fixed to the wall. Because of this 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 danger of a ruptured unit flooding your home.
Is Using a Tankless Water Heater Right for You?
Tankless water heaters are efficient, budget-friendly technology, but they may not be suitable for every home. Think about these factors before upgrading:
- Higher initial costs: Tankless systems demand a higher upfront cost than traditional models. However, HVAC tax credits and rebates for green appliances help reduce these costs.
- Fuel sources and venting requirements: Tankless units are available in electric and gas models. Gas units have a higher performance capacity but require venting to safely remove exhaust gases. If your home doesn’t already have a vent, putting in one will add to the installation cost. Electric models are easier to install but are limited by their less powerful performance. They also can’t receive energy-efficiency tax credits.
- Temperature rise requirements: Tankless systems raise the temperature of water as it flows through, which demands a significant temperature boost. The lower the incoming water, the more efficient the heater must be and the more energy it will consume. For instance, if the groundwater temperature is 40 degrees F in a northern state, and you need 110-degree water to flow from the tap, 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 hold water, they can only deliver a certain amount of hot water at a time. The unit’s flow rate determines how much hot water you can use simultaneously, a crucial factor to consider if you have a houseful of people trying to shower while the dishwasher and washing machine are also in use! One way to avoid a drop in hot water is to install multiple point-of-use models in high-demand locations. However, this raises setup and operating costs.
- The cold-water sandwich: Tankless water heaters produce a “cold-water sandwich,” a short burst of cold water when the unit switches off and on again. It also takes place if you only run a small amount of hot water, which is not enough to keep the tankless unit running. While it’s a slight inconvenience, it’s worth understanding before making the switch.
