Tankless Hot Water Heaters – On Demand Water That Is good For The Environment

So what are the main features of tankless hot water heaters?

The main benefit to owning a tankless hot water heater over a normal water heater is that you get instant hot water on demand when you want it with zero waiting time.  This means that you don’t waste excess, good quality drinking water down the drain while waiting for your water to reach the optimum hot temperature.

With the tankless water heater you’re not left without hot water should your regular hot water tank bite the dust and if you’ve ever had a flood of guests stay at your home I’m sure you’re familiar with the classic cold shower when you discover that the hot water has all but run out.  Tankless hot water heaters also make a handy back up for heating systems that use solar power especially on days with little sunlight.

The technology behind the tankless hot water heater is simple, each time the hot water tap or faucet is turned on, cold water is sent to the unit through a pipe that is instantly heated using either an electric element or a gas burner resulting in a steady supply of hot water without the need for a water storage tank.

Tankless hot water heaters are designed primarily for low usage and produce hot water at the rate of 2-5 gallons per minute.  The gas fired tankless water heater provides a higher flow rate than the electric variety, however to use them for both the washing machine and the shower at the same time can place a strain on the system and its ability to keep up with your hot water demands.  The solution to this is to have a tankless water heater for the various water outlets, especially at the points where you want instant hot water.

Although gas fired tankless hot water heaters may have higher flow rates than their electrical rivals they do tend to waste more energy especially in the event where they run on a burning pilot light which can make it less efficient than the standard water heater.
You can inquire with the manufacturer how much energy the model you are interested uses to help you with your buying decision.  Another option if you choose to go with the gas fired model is to simply switch it off when it’s not in use.

Tankless hot water heaters can be great energy savers and it’s estimated that for homes that use around 40 gallons or less of hot water per day can save as much as 34% on their energy bills, depending upon the model.

For increased savings it is recommended for homes that have a higher demand for daily hot water that a separate tankless hot water heater be used for each hot water outlet, i.e., kitchen, laundry room, bathroom which can accumulate to savings to the tune of 50% overall.  This definitely makes a dent in your power bill and the unit eventually pays for itself making it a sound investment for your home.