What Is Tankless Water Heater & How Does It Work?

You wake up every day concerned about running out of hot water! It’s infuriating that you can’t fully enjoy your showers or baths. What should you do? Then, consider the energy efficiency of your water heater as well as the possibility of a leak. These worries deteriorate your living situation and quality of life. 

What Is a Tankless Water Heater?

Consider a tankless water heater to be an on-demand hot water provider. The water is heated using either gas or electricity, and the supply of water is constant. Tankless heaters are extremely energy efficient, saving up to 50% on fuel costs. When compared to traditional water heaters, the possibility of leaks is very low with these types of heaters.

Tankless water heaters offer a wide range of options. Consider purchasing a tankless water heater that meets your household’s requirements. Most tankless water heaters will become more efficient and easier to maintain as technology advances.

Tankless water heaters are classified into three types: condensing, non-condensing, and hybrid. Condensing water heaters have multiple heat exchangers, allowing them to re-heat cold water using the exhaust from the previous heat exchanger. Because of this feature, it is more efficient than non-condensing types. Non-condensing models have a single heating element. This means they’ll need to install a vent to allow the hot exhaust to exit the building. This type has a high cost associated with it.

Hybrid heaters get their name from their low energy consumption and smaller tanks. These heaters require a lot of open air outside the tank to function properly. They function by transferring heat from the air into the tanks. These heaters are more efficient than the other two, but they are more expensive to buy.

How Does a Tankless Water Heater Work

Though different tankless water heaters operate in different ways, there is a general principle that governs how they work. Hot water pipes can be found inside a tankless water heater box. These pipes run through heating elements so that when someone in the house turns on the hot water faucet, the incoming cold water is heated as it flows through. Tankless water heaters can be powered by either gas or electricity. Their functional consistency is refreshing. However, with tankless water heaters, knowing the flow rate is critical to avoid running out of hot water.

The flow rate determines how much hot water a tankless water heater produces in a given amount of time. The flow rate is measured in gallons per minute (GPM), which is the amount of water that flows from a faucet per minute. The flow rate is determined by the fuel type. A gas tankless water heater can have up to 11 GPM, while an electric model can have up to 7 GPM.

Why You Need a Tankless Water Heater (Pros and Cons)

Have you considered going tankless? Do you want your water to be hot and continuous while you save energy? Here are some pros and cons of these on-demand heaters to help you decide.

Pros

Tankless water heaters save space as well as money. Switching from a tank water heater system to a tankless water heater system will save you a lot of space. A storage tank takes up a lot of space, which not every home has. Furthermore, storage tank water heaters are prone to leaks and damage. This could cost you a lot of money in heater repairs as well as home water damage repair. Tankless units are long-lasting, which saves you money and the hassle of replacing them on a regular basis.

On-demand water heaters provide an unlimited supply of hot water every time you turn on the hot water tap. Your energy efficiency will improve as a result of all of this. Tankless water heaters can save up to 30% on energy. Saving energy translates into financial savings by lowering utility bills.

Cons

The two main disadvantages of using a tankless heater are the initial costs and the possibility of a power outage. Any tankless unit, including those powered by gas, is powered by electricity. If you live in an area prone to power outages, you may be inconvenienced. The initial cost of installing a tankless unit is high. If you live in a larger household, you may require more than one unit to meet your needs.

Tankless water heaters perform better in areas where the water is soft. If you live in a hard water area, you may need to consult with us before installing. On tankless units, GPM varies. The flow rate and the amount of hot water that can be produced per minute are determined by GPM. If you have a large family or if the majority of your household appliances, such as dishwashers and washing machines, require hot water, you may require more than one tankless unit.

Which Water Heater is the Best Fit for My Home?

Going without a tank? What type of tankless hot water heater should you choose? The first thing you should consider is whether you need a tankless gas water heater or an electric tankless water heater. You should think about the type of heater that you want. Consider whether you want electric tankless water heaters or natural gas heaters. Some of them are warmed by a gas burner.

Another factor to consider is the rise in temperature (the required hot water temperature minus the temperature of groundwater coming in, which gives the temperature rise). The required flow rates for the household faucets should also be considered. Taking these factors into consideration allows you to find a heater with the appropriate GPM for your household. It is also important to note that the installation cost of a tankless water heater is higher than that of a standard storage water heater, but the benefits are that they are less expensive to maintain and take up less space than storage water heaters.

So, what is the value of a tankless water heater? The price varies according to size. It is critical to consult with a professional to determine what size tankless water heater you require. If the idea of a tankless water heater does not appeal to you, you might want to consider a hybrid water heater. These heaters are thermostatically controlled and heat the water from warm to hot. They combine the benefits of tanked and tankless heaters. Tankless heaters convert cold water into hot water.

When it comes to water flow, gas-fired burner water heaters outperform electric models. A gas heater will produce hot water more efficiently than an electric heater if you need more heated water in your home.

Bottom Line

Prepare for the initial high cost of switching from tank to tankless heaters, followed by a constant supply of instant hot water. The advantages of tankless heaters far outweigh the disadvantages. Because these units lack tanks, there will be no standby heat loss, as tankless water heaters do not produce standby energy losses. There is no need to worry about storage tanks with these heaters if you have limited space in your home.

Do You Want To Know More About Tankless Water Heaters?

Are you ready to enjoy a continuous supply without having to worry about whether you’ll get hot or cold water? JBK plumbers can be reached at 801-874-7976 to schedule an appointment and receive options, recommendations, and a free quote on your preferred tankless heater.