On-demand water hearts are convenient as they only heat water when needed, thus eliminating the need for big bulky storage tanks. Tankless water heaters can last up to 20 years, much longer than the traditional versions; additionally, they forgo the risk of water damage from leaky tanks that require costly water heater repair to fix.
How On-Demand Water Heaters Work
Tankless heaters go to work when you turn on a hot water tap. Water is drawn into the unit and heated by either an electrical or gas heating element. This means you will never have to worry about running out of hot water, though there may be a limited flow rate. Standard tankless water heaters are capable of delivering 2 to 5 gallons per minute, with gas heated versions delivering higher amounts than electric counterparts.
Types Of On-Demand Water Heaters
When looking into tankless water heater installation there are two types to choose from: smaller units that can be installed closer to the point where it will be used, and larger ones that can heat water for an entire house. Smaller models can reduce and eliminate heat loss from pipers, but multiple units can be needed depending on the size of your house.
Small units can also be used to supplement a traditional water heater for rooms that are farther away from the tanks location. Additionally, they can also cut down on the time it takes for water to heat.
The larger tankless water heaters can be used for larger houses that have multiple rooms that utilize heated water. While these can help eliminate heat loss from units with tanks, you may still experience a slight loss due to piping, unless proper insulation is used.
The Advantages Of On-Demand Water Heaters
- Compact Size. Because these units are tankless, they take up much less space in your home. This is good for smaller homes in particular as it can help maximize the space that you have.
- Standby. These tanks can also eliminate energy that is wasted when hot water is cooled during transport through pipes or during storage in the tank.
- Saved Water. Tankless water heaters also help prevent a large amount of wasted water by only heating it when needed, and by cutting down on the time you have to run the tap before the water warms.
- Unlimited. Because water is drawn in when needed and heated in real time, you won’t have to worry about running out of hot water as only as the unit is operating in it’s optimal capacity.
- Lifespan. On-demand water heaters also can last your home up to 20 years, whereas a tank unit only has a lifespan of 10 to 15 years.
Savings
Some units can be quite affordable, but even larger, more expensive units tend to pay for themselves in terms of longevity and savings. Because they can eliminate energy loss, and save on water, you can expect to cut your heating and energy costs by 10 to 15 percent on average.
