Also called on-demand hot water heaters, tankless water heaters are gaining popularity because of the convenience they offer. They provide hot water but don’t have to store it and keep it constantly warm as a traditional tank does. Because of this, tankless heaters waste far less energy than traditional heaters, which need to run all day and all night, losing heat in what’s called standby loss. This reduces a standard water heater’s energy efficiency by 10% to 20%.
Another benefit of tankless water heaters is that they’re small enough to fit in tight spaces such as bathrooms and kitchenettes. Many of these appliances are the size of suitcases and can be hung on a wall near a fixture. But how do they work?
Creating Hot Water Instantly
Like traditional heaters, tankless heaters can be powered by gas or electricity. Both types have a computer that controls the temperature and flow of the water. In both tanks, fresh cold water is drawn in and released as hot water. In the electric heater, the cold-water triggers sensors that send information about the temperature and the flow of water to the heater’s computer. This computer powers up the heating elements, which use electrical resistance to heat the water as it flows through a series of tubes. As this happens, the circuit breakers on these tubes open up to guard against overheating. After this, hot water is available on demand.
In a gas tankless heater, a flow detector sends a signal to the computer to heat up the gas. The gas ignites, and the heat exchanger sends most of the heat from the gas fires into the incoming water. As the water heats up, a monitor lets the computer know the temperature of the hot water. This helps the computer control the flow of hot gas. Finally, the hot water is ready to draw.
Other Benefits of Tankless Water Heaters
Besides the benefits discussed above, tankless water heaters last longer than regular water heaters. A tankless water heater’s lifespan is 15 to 20 years, while the lifespan of a traditional water heater is between eight and 12 years.
Although they’re more expensive to install, tankless water heaters cost less to run than traditional water heaters. Gas tankless heaters cost more to install than electric, but they tend to be more energy efficient, which saves money in the end. They can also provide more water in the same period than a tankless heater that runs on electricity.
Contact Us to Install Your Tankless Water Heater
Tankless water heaters have several advantages over traditional tank models. They provide hot water when and where you need it while being much more energy efficient.
If you’re interested in having a tankless water heater installed, call our experts at Preferred Plumbing Professionals in Topeka, KS.
