People are generally acquainted with traditional water heaters and how they work. However, tankless water heaters, though they’ve been on the market for some time now, continue to elude the public. What are they, and how can they add efficiency and convenience to your home?
Tank vs Tankless Water Heaters
Standard water heaters work by filling a tank with water and heating it to a desired temperature. That water is then stored and maintained until needed for running dishes, drawing a bath, or running a shower or a faucet. Once the water depletes, you need to wait for it to refill and heat back up. When water is not in use, the tank is nevertheless using energy heating the stored water.
A tankless system, does away with the tank storage, and instead offers an on-demand system. These small boxes attach to the wall and heat the water directly as it passes through the control system. This means the system is only heating water as needed for use. This also means that the system stops and is not in use whenever the water is off. This significantly reduces energy consumption and its associated costs – particularly with reduced water use.
Considerations and Benefits
Depending on your usage, tankless systems can provide an endless supply of hot water. However, it is important to note that these systems are limited in flow by what the heating element can meet. Your hot water flow will therefore depend on the output capability of the system you choose, whether installing an electric or gas-powered system.
Also, though most homes only have one hot water heater, tankless systems may require additional units for each water fixture, depending on the size and needs of your home. For example, you may require one system for the bathroom and another system to control the hot water to the kitchen.
Finally, though tankless systems are somewhat more expensive initially, they offer greater lifespans and maintenance over tanks. First, they are easier to service and are comprised of more replaceable parts. Secondly, they have lifespans of about 20 years, on average, compared to only 10 to 15 for standard water heaters.
If you are in need of a replacement of your water heater or are considering upgrading to a more efficient system, contact one of our professionals today to find out more.