Perhaps you’ve already heard of a tankless water heater, also called demand, flash, or even instantaneous water heater; named so because they heat water on an as-needed basis.
It is particularly known for combating high energy costs that are usually associated with hot water heaters. A standard hot water heater, with a tank, accounts for just about 17 percent of all home energy use in the United States because of standby loss.
A tankless heater works by heating the water directly through the pipes from heat sources, which can be electric, gas, or even solar. Since there is no large tank to fill with hot water, the warmer water comes to the faucet faster and doesn’t use as much energy doing so.
However, a tankless system is expensive. One of these water heaters can cost two to four times more to install than a standard water heater. They also aren’t the best route to take if you have a large family, with big water demands.
Despite the name, a tankless water heater doesn’t supply hot water instantly. It really depends on how far the heating system is from the faucet.
On the bright side, the system takes up much less space than a standard water heater. Of course, they are more efficient, saving up to 20 percent in energy compared to a water heater with a tank.
If you’re looking to purchase a tankless water heating system, pay careful attention to the flow rates. Some of these heaters have a minimum flow rate that won’t trigger the heater if the water isn’t flowing hard enough.
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The Dean of Green is written and published by Thompson Plumbing Heating & Cooling