What Exactly is a Tankless Water Heater…and How is it Used?
|A tankless water heater is a device that heats water on demand without the use of a storage tank, and they have become more efficient than traditional water heaters because they only heat water when it’s needed – rather than keeping a tank full of hot water. When a hot water faucet is turned on, cold water passes through a heat exchanger in the heater, where it’s heated by an electric element or gas burner; this is where tankless water heaters can be more cost-effective, with some models lowering energy bills by up to 40-percent.
Tankless models can also last longer than traditional water heaters, with some models lasting up to 20 years. They are usually installed by plumbers to older and new homes.
A tankless water heater is used by turning on a hot water faucet, which in turn triggers the unit to instantly heat cold water as it flows through the system, ultimately providing a continuous supply of hot water on demand – devoid of the need for a storage tank to hold preheated water. In this way, and as we mentioned above, hot water is available only when needed, the flow being activated by turning on a tap.
The following represent some key points to be aware of when using a tankless water heater:
- No More Waiting for Hot Water – Unlike a traditional water heater with a storage tank, you don’t need to wait for the tank to fill up with hot water before it can be used; hot water is immediately available when a faucet is turned on.
- On-Demand Heated Water – The unit only activates when cold water flows through it – in other words, it only heats water when it’s needed.
- Energy Savings Potential – A tankless water heater, because it only heats water on demand, can be more energy-efficient than a traditional tank-style model.
- Flow Rate Limitations – While providing continuous hot water, tankless heaters may present limitations with regard to how much hot water they can produce at once, and this can potentially cause issues if multiple applications demanding hot water are used simultaneously.
Tips for Tankless Water Heater Usage
For the most optimized experience, ensure that the water heater is properly sized for your home, set the temperature appropriately, run hot water continuously for larger demands, insulate pipes, regularly maintain and descale the unit and consider a recirculation pump for faster hot water delivery at taps that may be located further away.
In addition to those tips, we also recommend considering the following key points:
- Sizing is crucial, so choose a water heater with a flow rate that matches your household’s hot water needs.
- Temperature setting is another big one, so set the water temperature to around 120-degrees for optimal safety and efficiency.
- Continuous flow for large demands should be taken into consideration, so when using hot water for extended periods – for example, when filling a bathtub – run the water continuously to maintain consistent hot water delivery.
- Pipe insulation should be a priority, so insulate your water supply lines to minimize heat loss and ensure faster hot water emergence.
- Perform regular maintenance including descaling, filter checks and professional inspections.
Tankless water heaters warm water on demand, so you never run out of hot water. They’re also energy efficient, saving you money on utility bills.