A tankless water heater might be the answer if you’re looking for an efficient and cost-effective way to heat your home’s water. Tankless water heaters provide hot water on demand without storing it in a bulky reservoir. This means that you can use only as much hot water as needed when needed, saving costs associated with keeping extra heated water in storage. On top of that, tankless systems are often more energy-efficient than traditional storage tank models, helping reduce your overall energy bills. This blog post will look at the benefits of switching to a tankless system so you can decide which system is best for your needs!
How Does a Tankless Water Heater Work?
Tankless water heaters have become more popular recently, as they are a cost-efficient and effective way of providing hot water. The basics of how they work is quite simple; when you turn on the hot tap, cold water runs through the tankless heater, which warms it up using electricity or gas. The heating element within the tankless heater starts only when the flow of water begins and heats the water to whatever temperature you’ve set it at. Once that temperature is reached, the element shuts off again until cold water is put through again. This means that instead of having a large reserve of heated water stored in a tank, tankless heaters constantly provide hot water as soon as you need it without wasting energy.
Why You Need a Tankless Water Heater
Save Money
One of the primary benefits of switching to a tankless water heater is saving money on your energy bill. Tankless water heaters only heat water when needed, so you are not paying to keep a hot water tank heated all day.
Save Space
Another benefit of tankless water heaters is that they take up less space than traditional water heaters. This is because there is no need for a storage tank, so tankless water heaters can be installed in small areas such as closets or under cabinets.
Endless Hot Water
One of the best benefits of tankless water heaters is that they provide an endless hot water supply. This means that you will never have to take a cold shower again! Traditional water heaters can only provide a limited amount of hot water before needing to be refilled, but with a tankless water heater, you will always have hot water on demand.
Longer Lifespan
Another advantage of tankless water heaters is that they have a longer lifespan than traditional water heaters. Traditional hot water storage tanks can rust or corrode over time. Additionally, tankless water heaters typically have fewer moving parts than traditional water heaters, which means there are fewer opportunities for something to break down.
More Environmentally Friendly
Tankless water heaters are also more environmentally friendly than traditional water heaters. This is because they use less energy overall and do not require a storage tank full of hot water that can leak or spill into the environment.
Safer For Homes With Children
If you have young children in your home, then you may be concerned about the safety of your traditional water heater. This is because storage tanks can become very hot and pose a serious burn hazard if touched accidentally. However, with a tankless water heater, there is no storage tank full of hot water, so there is no risk of burns associated with them.
Requires Less Maintenance
Another benefit of tankless water heaters is that they require less maintenance than traditional water heaters. This is because there are no storage tanks to clean or maintain, and the overall design of tankless water heaters is more straightforward than traditional ones. As a result, you will save time and money on maintenance costs over the lifetime of your tankless water heater
Types of Tankless Water Heaters
Electric Tankless Water Heaters
Electric tankless water heaters are the most common type of tankless water heater. They are powered by electricity and can be used in homes that do not have a gas line. Electric tankless water heaters are less expensive to operate than gas-powered models but require a higher initial investment.
Gas Tankless Water Heaters
Gas tankless water heaters are powered by either natural gas or propane. They are more expensive to operate than electric models but have a lower initial investment cost. Gas tankless water heaters also have a higher flow rate than electric models, meaning they can simultaneously provide hot water for multiple appliances.
Solar Tankless Water Heaters
Solar tankless water heaters are powered by solar panels. They are the most expensive tankless water heater to install but have the lowest operating costs. Solar tankless water heaters are also the most environmentally friendly option.
Hybrid Electric/Gas Tankless Water Heaters
Hybrid electric/gas tankless water heaters are powered by electricity and gas. They have a higher initial investment cost than either electric or gas models, but they offer the best of both worlds in terms of operating costs and flow rate.
Point-of-Use (POU) Tankless Water Heaters
Point-of-use (POU) tankless water heaters are small, compact units installed directly at the point of use, such as under a sink or in a bathroom. POU units are less expensive than whole-house models, but they have a lower flow rate and can only provide hot water for one appliance at a time
Need a Tankless Water Heater?
Now that you know more about tankless water heaters and how they work, you may wonder if one is right for your home. Whether or not to switch to a tankless unit depends on several factors, including the size of your household, the climate in which you live, and your hot water needs. Our team at Workhouse Plumbing can help you assess whether a tankless system is right for you and, if so, which type of unit would best meet your needs. Contact us today to learn more!
