What Is a Tankless Water Heater?
A tankless water heater, commonly referred to as an on-demand water heater, is a compact system that warms water only when you require it. Unlike traditional systems that store hot water in a conventional storage tank, the unit heats water instantaneously to the optimal warmth and delivers it directly to your faucet. This advanced water heating method provides many benefits, but make sure it’s practical for your home before switching to a tankless system.
How Does a Tankless Water Heater Work?
As soon as you open 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, based on your fuel source, which rapidly heats the water as it passes through. As soon as you turn off the tap, the system shuts down and quits heating, which eliminates standby energy loss.
Benefits of Tankless Water Heaters
More homeowners in Phoenix are choosing tankless water heaters to experience these excellent perks:
Endless hot water: Envision your family taking multiple back-to-back showers without the last person in line running out of hot water. That’s the best part of a tankless unit, which supplies virtually unlimited hot water as it flows rather than requiring 30 to 60 minutes to warm up a tank of water.
- Energy efficiency: Tankless water heaters are up to 34% more energy efficient than tank-style water heating units. The lower volume of hot water you use, the bigger your energy savings. After all, you only have to heat the hot water you actually need, instead of throwing money away heating a huge tank of water 24/7.
- Long lifespan: If you expect to stay in your home for an extended term, a tankless water heater is a smart 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 it doesn’t have to be this way. Most tankless systems are about the size of a carry-on suitcase attached to the wall. This saves space because you can place tankless water heaters in compact areas like closets or small utility rooms.
- Lower risk of water damage: Because tankless water heaters lack a tank, there’s no danger of a leaking unit flooding your home.
Is Using a Tankless Water Heater Right for Your Home?
Tankless water heaters are efficient, budget-friendly technology, but they may not be suitable for every home. Think about these factors before making the switch:
- Higher initial costs: Tankless systems demand a higher upfront cost than traditional models. On the other hand, HVAC tax credits and rebates for energy-efficient appliances help lower these costs.
- Fuel sources and venting requirements: Tankless water heaters are available in electric and gas models. Gas units have a higher flow rate but need venting to safely remove exhaust gases. If you don’t already have a vent, putting in one will raise the installation cost. Electric models are simpler to install but are limited by their less powerful performance. They also don’t qualify for energy-efficiency tax credits.
- Temperature rise requirements: Tankless systems heat water as it flows through, which is a significant temperature boost. The lower the incoming water, the more efficient the heater must be and the more energy it needs. For instance, if the groundwater temperature is 40 degrees F in a northern state, and you need 110-degree water in your sink, your system must handle a 70-degree rise. While possible, this is the upper limit of most gas-fired tankless units.
- Limited flow rate: Since tankless heaters don’t hold water, they can only deliver a limited 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 being used! One solution to avoid a drop in hot water is to install multiple point-of-use models in high-demand locations. But, this raises upfront and operating costs.
- The cold-water sandwich: Tankless water heaters generate a “cold-water sandwich,” a short blast of cold water when the unit turns off and on again. It also takes place if you only run a tiny amount of hot water, which is not enough to keep the tankless unit running. While it’s only a slight inconvenience, it’s worth being aware of before making the switch.
