A Beginner’s Guide To Tankless Water Heaters
Understanding How Tankless Water Heaters Work
Your water heater works hard for you every day whether you notice it or not. In fact, the typical American household uses between 60 and 65 gallons of hot water a day for bathing and showering, washing dishes, laundry, cleaning, and other tasks. That’s a lot of hot water—and a lot of energy, too!
If you have a traditional tank-style water heater that’s hitting the ten-year mark—or is already older than that—you’re probably used to running out of hot water, too. On busy mornings, when everyone needs to shower and get out, someone likely ends up with a lukewarm experience, which is not the best way to start the day.
Imagine having virtually unlimited hot water, while seeing lower fuel bills. It’s possible, with a high-efficiency tankless water heater! You can even run the dishwasher and do a load of laundry at the same time without worry! Sounds like magic, right?
We’ll quickly fill you in on the technology behind the magic of a tankless water heater, below. And for even more information, you check out this tankless water heater guide as well!
How Does a Tankless Water Heater Work?
Tankless water heaters save energy by instantly heating water only when you need it. When you turn on the tap, water flows through the unit and is heated instantly by a propane-fueled heating element. When you turn off the tap, the unit stops heating water. Compare this to the cost of operating a traditional water heater, which requires you to keep a tank holding many gallons of water hot and ready to use all the time.
As a result, you can enjoy virtually unlimited hot water—while seeing savings of up to 40%!
You’ll save space as well as energy. Tankless water heaters are compact—about the size of a small suitcase—and can even hang on a wall, freeing up room in your basement or utility room. That said, there are different sizes designed to fit different needs. Rather than total gallons, their output is measured in a flow rate of gallons per minute. The more hot water you need at the same time will require a higher flow rate.
Condensing vs. Non-Condensing Units
There are also condensing and non-condensing type units. Condensing models have a second heat exchanger that loops exhaust back into the system to heat water more efficiently. This type is slightly more expensive, but also delivers higher energy efficiency. Non-condensing units are less expensive, and are very low maintenance, but will be less effective with colder winters and lower ground temperatures.
Truthfully, the only downside to a tankless water heater is up-front price—but they will pay for themselves in savings in the long run versus a storage tank style which will end up costing you more over time.
Looking to Upgrade Your Water Heater? Call Casey Energy Today!
If you’ve decided a tankless water heater is the best choice for you, the pros at Casey Energy have the experience and knowledge to help you! We’ll find the right size and type of water heater for your home—and budget—from amongst the top-quality brands we sell, and we’ll install it quickly, with no hassles or return visits.
Contact us for more information today.