Tankless Water Heaters

Tankless hot water heaters are becoming popular as more people see the advantage of “going tankless.” So why consider a tankless water heater?

There are several advantages in using an on demand water heater. The main advantage is an increase in energy savings, and a corresponding reduction in your energy bill. This is because a regular water heater is constantly turning on in order to heat the water inside the storage tank, whether you are using it or not. As the water cools and energy is lost, the hot water heater has to work to heat it back up.

This is called standby loss, the energy lost from the water sitting there. Most people will save about 20 percent off their water heating bill by installing a tankless water heater. Estimates place the water heating portion of your energy budget at about 15 percent of your total energy cost, so you can see how this is a significant cost.

Another advantage of a tankless hot water system is the availability of unlimited hot water. The heating mechanism is activated by the flow of water, so when you or your family demand hot water, the system can produce it for as long as you need it. The only limitation is based on the size of the tankless heater you install. Whole house systems generally produce between 3-5 gallons of hot water per minute. Compare that to a 40-50 gallon standard heater that most houses have.

There are two types of tankless hot water systems, electric and gas. Electric tankless water heaters are generally smaller, and designed for a point of use application. This means is can be used for just one area in the house. Gas tankless water heaters can be used for the whole house provided a large enough heater is installed. Instantaneous water heaters like this are either natural gas or propane powered, and should be installed by a professional.

Costs are of course another consideration. Tankless water heaters generally cost 2-3 times as much as a traditional water heater. Add to that installation fees which are higher as well. The higher initial cost is offset by a lower energy bill. Dealers can do the math for you based on your current energy and water bills. They can also explain what the major manufacturers such as Rinnia, Titan, Bosch and Noritz have to offer. Expect to save in the area of $50-100 per year when using a whole house tankless water system.

Most tankless systems will last upwards of 20 years. Compare that to a traditional water heater which generally has a life span of 10-15 years. That is another factor to consider when looking into buying a tankless hot water heater.