Tankless Water Heaters: The 411

When most people think about hot water heaters, an image of a large, round, white tank probably comes to mind. A newer and more innovative way to heat water for your home, however, does not require the use of a tank.

Tankless water heaters are an excellent way for homeowners to obtain hot water for their daily use. Here is a look at this intriguing water-heating system, including a look at how it works, the benefits of the system, the different types of fuel used to power the heaters, and how to get the correct sized unit for your home.

Understand the System

Tankless water heaters are rectangular metal devices that contain a variety of components for heating water coming into the house. The unit has a burner or heating element that heats cold water as it passes through the device. The heated water is then sent on its way to the faucet that was turned on.

Most devices will provide about 2 to 5 gallons of hot water per minute, according to the United States Department of Energy. Additionally, the units have an average lifespan of more than 20 years , but can last even longer if you have key components replaced when they start to fail.

Learn About the Benefits of the System

Tankless systems have several important benefits that every homeowner should consider when deciding what kind of water heater to use. For instance, with a tankless system you do not need to store large amounts of water because the unit heats the water as it comes into the house, which saves you money on your monthly utility bills.

Energy Efficient

The Department of Energy states that in homes that use 41 gallons of hot water daily or less, using a tankless water heater is 24 to 34 percent more energy efficient than a hot water tank. The increased efficiency is not quite as high in homes that use more water than this, but it can still be significant.

Compact

Another advantage concerns the physical size of tankless water heaters. The units are much smaller than hot water tanks, which saves space in your home that you can put to other purposes. Tankless water heaters are compact and can even be mounted on a wall.

Fuel the System

Tankless water heater systems uses several different fuels as a power source, with the main ones being propane, natural gas, and electricity. As a rule, gas units are less expensive than those that use electricity and are also often able to provide more hot water than electric units and therefore more recommended.

Size the System

A key aspect of any successful tankless water heater system is making certain that the unit has the capacity to provide enough hot water for your household. Determining what model will give you enough hot water to meet your household's daily needs is called sizing the water heater.

Sizing, in this context, refers not to the unit's physical dimensions, but to how much hot water the heater is able to provide. You must make certain that the unit has the ability to meet your family's requirements. Sizing a water heater is a rather complex job, so you will need the advice of a professional plumbing service to assist you in this matter.

For households that use a lot of hot water, installing multiple units is sometimes an effective way to ensure that their needs are met without having to depend on a single device.

It's obvious that tankless water heater systems are a great way for homeowners to meet their hot water requirements. If you decide that a tankless unit might be right for your home, consult with the water heater experts at Henry's Service All. We can answer all of your questions regarding tankless water heaters. Contact us to learn more.