Tankless Water Heaters

Tankless, or demand, water heaters can make a lot of sense for the average homeowner. In terms of energy costs, a tankless can save a household anywhere from 8% - 34% depending upon the amount of hot water used per day in the household. Smaller households using less water generally will see a bigger savings than large households using more.

A tankless water heater will save money over a conventional water heater because it has no storage tank to store heated water in, thereby cutting energy loss from the stored water. Instead, the water is heated on demand as needed by the household. Additionally, tankless water heaters last about twenty years, as opposed to the ten to fifteen years for a conventional water heater. Many manufacturers of tankless water heaters supply repair parts for the heaters, which will dramatically extend their life. Additionally, tankless water heaters typically mount on the wall and take up much less space than a conventional water heater.

A tankless water heater works by heating water as it enters the unit with a heat exchanger. The water flows out to the area it is needed. The heat exchanger can be heated by either gas or electric, depending upon the type of heater in use. Some tankless units have thermostats which allow you to set the desired temperature of the water output, enabling you to choose the water temperature you desire.

Most demand units can only supply hot water at a rate of two to five gallons per minute, depending upon the size of the unit. Most demand water heaters cannot supply sufficient water for multiple uses, such as a shower and washing machine simulteanously. To supply more hot water, hood up two units in series, or install another heater at the point the water is being used. Seperate units for showers can be installed, as well as smaller point of use units for sinks or washing machines.

In general you will have two fuel choices for your tankless water heater - gas and electric. Each has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, depending upon your needs. You will need to do a bit of research before deciding to determine which type and size meets your particular requirements.

When you select a tankless water heater, you will need to consider the type of fuel availble, the amount of hot water needed in the household, and energy and installation costs.