Tankless water heater are also known as demand-type or instantaneous water heaters. This type of water heater provides hot water only when it is needed. Here, in this article of Everyday Info portal let’s discuss how Tankless Water Heater Works? And what are the disadvantages and advantages of Tankless Water Heaters.

As this tankless water heater don’t preserve hot water, it reduce standby energy losses. This process can save your money. Let’s check the basic information about how it works. Then you can easily decide whether a tankless heater might be right for your home or not.

How Tankless Water Heater Works?

Tankless water heaters heat the water continuously without store the water in a storage tank. First you need to confirm a hot water source is turned on. Then cold water flows through a heat exchanger in the unit and either an electric element or a natural gas burner heats the water.

Imagine a hot water source is turned on. Then cold water flows through a heat exchanger in the heater chamber and a natural gas burner or an electric element heats the water. As a result this heater deliver a constant supply of hot water. For this reason you don’t need to wait till the storage tank to fill up with enough hot water.

But before making purchase decision, just remember a tankless heater’s output flow rate is low. Generally, you will get hot water flow rate at a rate of 7.6–15.2 liters per minute in this tankless heater. But you will get higher flow rates in Gas-fired heaters than electric ones.

Sometimes, gas-fired model unable to supply enough hot water simultaneously. This could happen if there is multiple uses in large households. As example, running the dishwasher and taking a shower at the same time. This can make a tankless water heater to its limit.

But there is also a solution to overcome this problem. If you need more water flow then you can install two or more tankless water heaters. Also, You can install separate heaters for different appliances. As example we can say about a clothes washer or dishwater. Those appliances use a lot of hot water in our home. But also keep in mind that additional water heaters will cost more and may not be useful for sometimes.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Tankless Water Heaters

If your home uses almost 41 gallons or less of hot water daily, then demand water heaters can be 23%–35% more energy efficient than storage tank water heaters. Also, it can be 7%–15% more energy efficient for those homes that use a lot of hot water a day.

Here the initial cost of a tankless water heater is greater than the normal storage type water heater. But tankless heaters will last longer. Also, tankless heaters have lower operating and energy costs which recover higher purchase price. Most tankless water heaters have a life expectancy of almost 20 years. All the parts can be replaceable which may extend their life. In other side storage water heaters can be last 10–15 years.

In storage water heater, there is a chance of heat losses which waste energy. But this can be avoided by using Tankless water heater. In this case you have to compromise with water flow rate in tankless heater.

Advantages –

• Long-term Energy and Cost Savings
• Unlimited Supply of Hot Water
• Take Up Less Space
• Leaks and Water Damage low risk
• Burns and Exposure to Toxic Metals Lower Risk
• Life Expectancy of Over 20 Years
• Energy Savings

Disadvantages –

• High cost of the unit and Installation
• Maintenance cost
• Take longer to deliver hot water for low water flow
• You may get inconsistent water temperature if multiple Taps/Showers/Appliances are in use
• No access to hot water during a power outage

Selecting a Demand Water Heater

Also, you need to consider the following before buying a demand water heater.

• Size
• Fuel type and availability
• Energy efficiency (energy factor)
• Costs

Installing and Maintaining a Tankless Water Heater

You can optimize its energy efficiency by proper installation and maintenance. Installation depends on fuel type, climate and safety issues etc. Generally concerning the combustion of gas-fired water heaters. Therefore, it is preferable to call a qualified plumbing and heating contractor. So that they can install your demand water heater properly. 

Improving Energy Efficiency

Make sure you install demand water heater properly. Also you maintained regularly. Then try some additional energy-saving options for lower water heating bills. Some energy-saving devices and systems are more cost-effective to install with the water heater.

Tankless heaters heat the water on demand. So, if 3 to 4 person in your family then it is perfect for you.

Check out tankless water heaters on Amazon.

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