Tankless water heaters are a relatively new technology that provide hot water only when it is needed. These water heaters have been growing in popularity due to their energy saving potential and the benefit of an unlimited hot water supply. In this blog post, we will discuss how these tankless water heaters work, as well as their advantages and disadvantages.
How do tankless water heaters work?
Tankless water heaters remain idle until a hot water faucet is turned on. When a hot water faucet is turned on, cold water travels through a pipe into the unit where a sensor actives the heating element. Inside the unit, either a gas or electric heating element heats the water to a desired temperature. Hot water is then delivered to the faucet or appliance as it is needed.
Advantages
Tankless water heaters offer many advantages. For one, these water heaters are generally more energy efficient than storage tank water heaters. According to the US Energy Administration, tankless water heaters can be 24-34% more energy efficient than conventional storage tank water heaters. It is estimated that a typical family can save upwards of $100 in energy costs by switching to a tankless water heater.
Tankless water heaters also have the benefit of delivering an unlimited supply of hot water. Storage tank water heaters sometimes require the user to wait until the storage tank has enough water which limits the amount of hot water at any given time.
Another great advantage of tankless water heaters is a longer life expectancy. On average, these water heaters last around 20 years which is almost double the lifespan of a standard water heater.
Disadvantages
There are some disadvantages when it comes to tankless water heaters that are important to consider. One of the disadvantages is that there are higher upfront costs. In general, tankless water heaters cost more to purchase and install than conventional water heaters.
Additionally, larger households may require two or more tankless water heaters to allow for simultaneous, multiple uses.
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