Hot Water on Demand: Choosing the Right Tankless Water Heater for Your Household
Do you dream of a day when you can enjoy hot water on demand? When you never have to hear the fights of your teens because the first person to shower drained the tank? Would you like to have the option to wash dishes and take a shower in the same hour without rinsing your hair in the cold because you misjudged the amount of water you used to finish those breakfast pans?
If these scenarios are elevating your blood pressure, you’re probably a great candidate for a tankless water heater. These marvels of science are extremely popular for many households these days, but choosing the right system can be difficult if you’re new to the concept. We have the information you need to begin the decision-making process, including the benefits and things to consider before making a purchase.
How Does a Tankless Hot Water Heater Work?
Before we discuss how a tankless water heater works, let’s do a quick review of how traditional tanked heaters operate. A tanked heater stores an average of 30-50 gallons of water that is kept warm via heating elements located in the storage tank or an external flame powered by natural or propane gas. A thermostat in the heater controls the heat source, turning it on and off throughout the day to provide continuous hot water at a steady temperature. The tank is refilled as hot water is used, turning the heat source back on to warm the newly added water for the next use.
Tankless heaters operate with a similar concept, minus the gigantic storage tank or the need to continuously warm the water in said tank. Hot water on demand systems use a powerful heat exchanger built into the unit to superheat cold water as it flows into the unit on its route to the tap. This creates a near-instantaneous and near-constant supply of hot water to the tap without worry that you’ll drain your source or be left out in the cold.
Tankless systems do have limitations, which we will discuss further down. However, if you select the right setup for your needs, you will enjoy numerous advantages you simply won’t find with traditional tanked electric and gas water heaters.
The Benefits of Instant Hot Water
Endless Hot Water
Our customers routinely tout the benefits of endless hot water as the main reason to purchase an instant water heater. Like we outlined in the opening of this guide, there are a lot of frustrations in a household where your usage is limited to the size of your holding tank. Like squabbles over “using all the hot water” or the annoyance of trying to soak dishes in a cold sink.
Reduced Water Waste
If you’re eco conscious (or energy bill conscious), it’s painful to watch all that unused liquid gold flow down the drain as you wait for it to heat enough to be used. On demand hot water heaters reduce the amount of waste caused by waiting for the pipes to flush out the cold and bring in the new.
Hot Water from New Sources
This one is for the kids and dogs out there shivering in kiddie pools in backyards all over the country. A tankless system can run hot water outside. Imagine if you could bathe your pup with warm water in the yard instead of managing a mound of fur in the tub. Or, maybe you would like a little extra power for washing the tree sap off your car, killing weeds without chemicals or giving the kids just a touch of warmth to help them acclimate to the pool you just filled.
Safety
Tanked heaters are much safer than they were in the past, but they do still come with potential risks. The leading concern for many tanked water heater owners is the risk of explosion. Modern tanks come with a relief valve to prevent pressure build-up, but a faulty or broken valve can lead to disastrous consequences. A tankless heater does not store water at high temperatures or struggle with the same pressurization issues.
Cleaner Water
In addition to the risks associated with pressure and temperature, a tanked water heater can also turn your water into a gritty mess. Many homeowners have gasped in horror at the sediment our technicians drain from their tanks. The sediment is typically caused by corrosion, hard water or other particulate matter that sinks to the bottom of the tank and collects over time. A tankless heater typically provides filtration, in addition to not having a super-heated tank of standing water waiting for particles to collect.
Reduced Energy Bills
A tankless water heater can make a big difference in your energy bill — if you don’t accidentally run it right back up with three-hour-long hot showers. Because they only turn on when in use, you do not have to worry about a steady supply of fuel warming hot water that merely sits in a tank in your basement waiting to be used. Not only that, because your fuel source is not desperately trying to heat 30+ gallons at the same time, you’ll find they are even more energy efficient and less hard on the electric or gas bill. You also don’t waste gallons waiting for the tap to warm. We really do need to caution you on water usage. It’s tempting to luxuriate in all that fast, warm greatness, but you’ll still have to pay for it.
Takes Less Space
This last benefit will depend on the type of configuration you choose when selecting a tankless system. However, our clients have always noted appreciation for not having to house a 6-foot tank of burning hot water in a closet or basement. With point-of-use systems, you may need to find wall space or space under the counter. With whole-home systems, you can easily replace your tanked system and enjoy a little more room wherever your tanked system used to be located.
Things to Consider When Purchasing and Instant Hot Water Heater
When purchasing a system, you’ll want to take into consideration a few different factors. Purchasing a tankless system isn’t always as easy as buying a unit from a big box store and plugging it in. We highly recommend you consult a professional plumber when considering a tankless unit, especially if you need to replace piping or hook up to a gas line. Here’s what to look for when purchasing a tankless heater.
Pick Your Type
- Condensing: A condensing hot water heater uses multiple exchangers to heat the water. The benefit of this multi-exchange system is that it won’t require you to install ventilation for the unit like a non-condensing system. This is because a condensing unit leverages exhaust caused by the first exchanger to heat the water even more. It’s a highly efficient method that also saves you from having to construct a port.
- Non-condensing: Non-condensing systems rely solely on the heat exchanger to warm the water as it passes through the unit. This requires the installation of an exhaust system for the unit. That means mods to your home in every room where an exchanger is installed.
- Hybrid: Hybrid systems use a small holding tank that pulls in heat from the air around the unit to warm the water. That means you can’t really lock them away in a closet or under the sink. These systems tend to require a larger initial investment, but they do run more efficiently than other systems, which means saving money as time goes on.
Fuel Source
Your next big decision revolves around selecting the proper fuel source. It’s not as easy as adapting it to whatever fuel powered your previous tanked system, either. For example, if you decide to install a gas instant water heater in a new location, you’ll need to run a fuel line. If you want to utilize several smaller electric units, you’ll need to be sure you have an approved power source or have one installed. Electric instant water heaters are generally better for homeowners who do not want to complete multiple modifications to their home or worry about the safety of new fuel lines. Propane instant water heaters are great for homes in rural areas that rely on propane for fuel or for homes that require only one unit to meet all of their requirements. Purchasing a system powered by natural gas offers similar benefits to propane and with the exception that natural gas is more widely used in most cities.
Gallons Per Minute (GMP)
The gallons-per-minute output of a tankless unit is probably one of the most important factors to consider. Even tankless units have their limitations, so you want to plan and purchase a system that will adequately supply your household. A good rule of thumb is to look for a system that runs at least three gallons per minute for a shower, four gallons per minute for a bath and two gallons for a washing machine. A larger system that can power more than six gallons per minute will be needed to run all of these heavy users at the same time. That brings us to another consideration:
Point-of-Use or Whole-Home?
The decision to purchase a point-of-use or whole home system will depend largely on your needs. For example, if your tanked system is good enough for the household, but you need a little extra help with showers and baths, a point-of-use system might be the perfect solution. You can even install an instant hot water heater under the sink or on the wall in just one bathroom and keep your old system. If, however, your family is heavy on hot water usage, a whole-home system may be more beneficial. Talk over your needs with a professional to determine the right system for your home.
More Water, Less Fuss
Installing a tankless heater can transform your household and make instant and continuous hot water a reality for you and your family. If you would like to learn more about the convenience and comfort a tankless water heater delivers, connect with Flow Right. Our experts can help you choose a great system and start enjoying all the benefits fast.