Many homeowners are unsure of which type of water heater to choose for their homes. Tankless water heaters heat up the water on-demand, meaning that you don’t have to store much hot water in your tank. Tankless Water Heaters can be a great choice because they save space and energy! However, traditional tanks do not need to heat the same amount of water over and over again because there is always some hot water left in them. So, what should you pick? This article discusses the pros and cons of both types so that you can make an informed decision when it comes time to purchase your next heater!
What Is A Tankless Water Heater?
A Tankless Water Heater heats water on-demand as it flows through the system. Tankless systems are more energy-efficient than traditional tank heaters because they only draw energy when a hot water faucet is turned on and isn’t heating up an entire tank of already heated cold water. Tankless Heaters also provide continuous hot water to all fixtures in your home, making them ideal for homes with multiple bathrooms! However, Tankless Systems take longer to heat up water (upwards of 30 seconds) which can be inconvenient if you’re running low on warmth or need extra hot water quickly.
What Makes Tankless Water Heaters Different From Traditional Water Heaters?
Tankless water heaters, also known as on-demand or instantaneous water heaters eliminate the need for tanks to store hot and cold water. Tankless systems are more expensive than traditional tank systems. Tankless water heaters must be professionally installed by a licensed plumber. Tankless systems are ideal for homes with at least three bathrooms or require high-volume hot water, such as those in large commercial buildings where there’s constantly someone running the shower.
What Types Of Tankless Water Heaters Exist?
There are two main kinds of Tankless Water Heater Systems: Gas Powered and Electric Powered Tankless Heaters.
Electric Tankless Systems include gas tank-like tanks to store cold water, which is then pushed through an electric heating element that turns it into steam (similar to how your clothes dryer works). This heated vapor pushes out hot air like a radiator, warming up anything nearby such as pipes.
What about gas-powered Tankless Water Heater Systems? Instead of electricity, these Tankless heater units provide their own heat source through either propane or natural gas input lines. While this might seem like an easier solution since many homes already utilize these energy sources for appliances such as dryers and stoves, Tankless water heater systems that use natural gas or propane for heating might not be as efficient.
While Tankless Water Heaters look great on paper with their ultra-efficient energy consumption rates, they still need to contain hot water in a tank somewhere so it can be used when needed. If you are looking to upgrade your home’s source of warm showering/bathing water without increasing the amount of storage space required by traditional Tank Water Heater Systems, then Tankless might just be what you’re looking for!