What Is a Tankless Water Heater

A tankless water heater, also known as an on-demand water heater, is a compact system that heats water exactly when you need it. Instead of constantly keeping a supply of hot water in a large tank, a tankless unit heats water instantly to the right temperature when requested. This cutting-edge water heating method provides a number of benefits, but before you switch to a tankless system it’s a good idea to make sure it’s feasible for your home in Hillsborough.

Tankless Water Heaters: How Do They Work?

When you turn on a hot water tap, technology in the tankless unit detects the flow of water. This triggers a gas burner or an electric heating system, depending on your fuel source, which then quickly heats the water as it flows through the tankless water heater. When you turn off the tap, the tankless unit shuts down and stops heating, which prevents idle energy loss.

Five Reasons to Use a Tankless Water Heater

Many Hillsborough residents have already converted to tankless water heaters to experience these amazing perks:

1. Tankless water heaters supply bountiful hot water: Envision your family happily taking multiple back-to-back showers without the last person in line getting a blast of cold water. That’s the reality of using a tankless unit, which provides virtually endless hot water as needed rather than taking 30 to 60 minutes to warm up a tank of water.

2. Energy efficiency: Tankless water heaters are up to 34% more energy efficient than tank models. The less hot water you consume, the more power and money you save. That’s all due to the fact that you only pay to heat the water you use, instead of paying for a tank-style unit to continuously heat a big reservoir of hot water just in case you might request it.

3. Tankless water heaters have a longer lifespan: If you plan on living in your home for many years, a tankless water heater is a smart investment. These units last over 20 years, which is almost two times as long as traditional tank heaters—which generally last about 10 to 15 years.

4. Tankless units have a space-saving design: You may be familiar with the bulky, cylindrical tank in your tank-style water heater. However, it doesn’t have to be like this. The majority of tankless systems are about the size of a carry-on suitcase attached to the wall. This means you can mount them in tight spaces such as utility closets or small utility rooms.

5. There’s a lower risk risk of water damage with a tankless system: Because tankless water heaters don’t have a big storage tank, there’s no risk of a burst tank damaging your home.

Is a Tankless Water Heater the Right Choice?

Tankless water heaters are an efficient appliance, but they aren’t ideal for every home. Take into account these factors before switching to a tankless system:

• Tankless units have a higher initial cost: Tankless systems require a higher upfront investment compared to the old tank-style water heaters. However, tax credits and rebates for energy-efficient appliances are often available to reduce the cost.

• The power of tankless units varies depending on fuel source: Tankless units come in both electric and gas designs. Gas units have a higher flow rate but require venting to safely discharge exhaust gases from your home. If you don’t yet have a vent, installing one in your home will increase the installation cost. Electric models are more straightforward to install but have lower performance. They also don’t qualify for those cost-saving HVAC tax credits.

• Tankless models must cope with temperature rise requirements caused by extreme weather: Tankless systems heat water as it flows through the appliance, which requires a significant temperature increase. The colder the incoming water, the more powerful the heater must be and the more energy it uses. For example, if the groundwater temperature is 40°F in a northern state, and you want to take a shower in 110-degree water, your system must handle a 70-degree rise. While this is doable, it’s near the maximum of what most gas-fired tankless water heaters can handle.

• Flow rate can be limited if too many appliances are used at once: Because tankless heaters don’t store heated water, they can only supply a limited amount of hot water at a time. The system’s flow rate indicates how much hot water you can use simultaneously, which is an important consideration if you have a house full of people with someone always wanting a shower when the dishwasher and washing machine are running! One solution to avoid a drop in hot water is to set up multiple point-of-use models in high-demand locations. However, this raises upfront and operating costs.

• Tankless water heaters create the cold water sandwich: Tankless water heaters produce a “cold water sandwich,” which is a short burst of cold water created when the appliance turns off and on again. It also occurs if you only run a trickle of hot water that doesn’t provide enough flow to keep the tankless unit running. Although this is only a small annoyance, it’s better to know about it ahead of time.

Interested in Tankless Water Heaters in Hillsborough

The team at Fras-Air/General Service Experts is here to help you find the right water heating solution, whether that’s a tankless system or a traditional storage tank model. Thanks to our 100% satisfaction guarantee, you can rest assured that our pros will have your unit installed and running perfectly. Ready to upgrade? Have more questions? We’re happy to assist! Just call 908-448-2154 today to contact the team at Fras-Air/General Service Experts!