Tankless water heaters, also known as demand-type or instantaneous water heaters, provide hot water according to household needs. As the name suggests, tankless water heaters do not have a reservoir or storage tank for holding hot water. As such, these heaters are rated highly in terms of energy efficiency because they have no standby heat loss problems. They are usually electric or gas powered and they provide a constant supply of hot water because you do not have to wait for the reservoir to fill up before usage. In addition to the conventional household usage, tankless heaters are also recommended for remote bathrooms or hot tubs, as boosters for appliances, and as backups for solar water heating systems. Like all the other types of water heater systems, tankless models also have their own advantages and disadvantages. Read on and learn more details about how they work and their pros and cons.
Design And Operation
Tankless water heaters do not have a storage tank for hot water. Instead, cold water flows into the heating unit once the hot water tap is turned on. The water is heated instantaneously by a gas or electric element and then produced at the tap for usage. Because of the absence of a reservoir, the flow rate in these models depends on the water heater’s output. Typically, electric-powered heaters have lower flow rates than gas models. Before buying a tankless water heater, consider the size relative to your household’s hot water needs, initial purchase and installation costs, fuel type and availability, and energy efficiency.
Advantages
The most significant advantage of using tankless water heaters is that they are quite energy efficient. As compared to conventional storage models, tankless water heaters are more energy efficient because they have no standby heat loss. Although they have higher initial purchase and installation costs than storage heaters, tankless models have lower operating costs and usually last longer — their spare parts are also hardy and durable. Therefore, the cumulative energy savings and the extended lifespan could potentially offset the initial costs and leave some long-term earnings for the owner. However, some gas-fired models can incur additional standby energy losses due to the presence of a pilot light. Modern models feature various modifications to mitigate energy loss in this manner. Contact any professional plumber, who provides the following services, DC plumbing repairs and installations, and confirm all the aforementioned qualities before opting for either of the two models.
Another advantage of tankless water heaters is that they are relatively small and can be placed on the wall; thereby freeing up floor space. The last pro of this model is that it maintains a constant flow of hot water without running out.
Disadvantages
Tankless water heaters require significant initial purchase costs; thus you need adequate funds to finance the project. Secondly, even the largest models cannot supply enough hot water to sustain simultaneous, multiple uses in large households. As such, you might be required to install two or more tankless water heaters, either in parallel or separately, to furnish all your household’s hot water needs. Considering the initial cost of one water heater, this can be quite costly. Tankless water heaters usually take a brief lag time to fire up the burners and heat the water to the required temperature. Finally, these water heaters require special maintenance activities to remove scale and enhance energy efficiency.