How Does a Tankless Water Heater Work?

Tankless water heaters are an increasingly popular choice for homeowners looking for a more efficient way to heat their water. But what are they? How do they work? Are they worth the investment? In this post, we will explore all of those questions and more.

What is a Tankless Water Heater?

A tankless water heater, as the name suggests, is a water heater that does not rely on a storage tank to heat water. Instead, it uses a heat exchanger to heat water on demand. When you turn on the hot water tap, cold water is drawn into the unit and passed over the heat exchanger. Because they only run when the hot water tap is turned on, they only use energy as they are heating the water, rather than keeping a tank heated at all times. They are usually powered by natural gas or electricity.

The Benefits of Going Tankless

Tankless water heaters have many advantages over traditional tank heaters. For one, they are much more efficient. Tankless heaters only heat water when you need it, so there is no wasted energy. They also tend to last longer than tank heaters, since there is no storage tank that can rust or corrode over time. These systems are also much more compact, so they take up less space in your home. And finally, they provide an endless supply of hot water, so you’ll never have to worry about running out.

How are They Installed?

Tankless water heaters can be installed in one of two ways. The first is as a whole-house unit, which provides hot water to your entire home. The second is as a point-of-use unit, which is installed near your hot water tap and provides instant hot water on demand.

First, you’ll need to decide which unit best suits your needs. A whole-house unit will be able to handle the hot water needs of your entire home, while a point-of-use unit will only be able to provide hot water for a small area, like your kitchen or even bathroom.

Next, you’ll need to find a professional who can help you with the installation process. Tankless water heaters require specialized knowledge and tools, so it’s important that you leave the installation to a qualified professional.

Finally, once your new system is up and running, be sure to take steps to conserve energy. Tankless units are very efficient, but there are still ways to save even more money on your energy bill. With a little bit of effort, you can make sure that your water heater is working its best.

Other Thing to Keep in Mind

More and more homeowners are drawn to the energy-saving potential that these systems provide, but before you swap out your old water heater for a tankless model, it’s important to understand some other things you might run into.

First of all, they’re usually more expensive upfront than traditional storage heaters. They also require more maintenance than storage heaters, since the heating elements need to be descaled on a regular basis to prevent mineral buildup. Finally, they may not be able to meet peak hot water demand if you have a large family or do a lot of entertaining, since they can only heat so much water at once.

No Tank, No Problem!

Looking for a qualified professional to install and maintain your tankless water heater? Look no further than Stack Heating, Cooling, Plumbing and Electric! We offer expert installation and maintenance services for all types of water heaters, and we’ll make sure your system is up and running at its best. Contact us here or by calling (440) 937-9134 to learn more about what Stack can do for you!