What is a Tankless Water Heater?
Tankless water heaters take up much less space than storage water heaters as they heat the water directly.
When you turn on the hot water, the cold water travels through a pipe and into the tankless water heater unit where it is heated by a gas burner or an electric element. This allows you a constant supply of hot water.
On average, tankless water heaters can provide 2 to 5 gallons of hot water per minute. Gas-fired tankless water heaters, according to energy.gov, can produce higher flow rates than electric models.
For those with large families who go through a lot of hot water, installing more than one tankless water heater is common. This will ensure there is always enough hot water available for showers, laundry and the dishwasher.
Tankless Water Heater Advantages
Tankless water heaters (also called “on demand” units or an instant hot water heater) use 30 to 50 percent less energy than units with tanks, saving a typical family about $100 or more per year, depending on water usage.
- These units heat water only when you turn on the faucet.
- They usually operate on natural gas or propane.
- The main advantage is that they eliminate the extra cost of keeping 40 to 50 gallons of water hot in a storage tank, so you waste less energy.
- They also offer a continuous supply of hot water, which is ideal for filling a big hot tub or a whirlpool.
- They’re more compact than a standard water heater and mount on a wall.