Tankless Water Heaters: Is One Right for You?

A tankless water heater, also called an on-demand water heater, is a small system that heats water exactly when you need it. Instead of constantly holding a supply of hot water in a large tank, a tankless unit heats water instantly to the right temperature when requested. This cutting-edge water heating method provides a number of perks, but before you switch to a tankless system it’s a good idea to make sure it’s feasible for your home in Windsor.

How Do Home Tankless Water Heaters Work?

Once you open a hot water tap, a sensor in the tankless unit detects the flow of water. This turns on a gas burner or an electric heating element, based on your fuel source, which then quickly heats the water as it flows through the tankless water heater. When you turn off the tap, the unit shuts down and stops heating, which prevents idle energy loss.

Five Benefits of Tankless Water Heaters

Many Windsor residents have already converted to tankless water heaters to experience these fantastic perks:

1. Tankless water heaters supply endless hot water: Imagine your family happily taking multiple back-to-back showers without the last person in line running out of hot water. That’s the reality of installing a tankless unit, which supplies virtually unlimited hot water as needed rather than taking up to an hour to reheat a tank of water.

2. Increase your home’s energy efficiency: Tankless water heaters are up to 34% more energy efficient than tank models. The less hot water you require, the more power and money you save. That’s because you only pay to heat the water you require, instead of paying for a tank-style unit to constantly heat a big reservoir of hot water just in case you might actually need it.

3. Tankless water heaters have a longer lifespan: If you plan on living in your home for many years, a tankless water heater is a great investment. These units last over 20 years, which is almost two times as long as traditional tank heaters—which only have an estimated lifespan of 10 to 15 years.

4. Tankless units are compact: You may be accustomed to the bulky, cylindrical tank that’s part of your tank-style water heater. However, it doesn’t have to be like this. Most tankless systems are about the size of a carry-on suitcase mounted to the wall. This means you can install them in tight spaces such as utility closets or small utility rooms.

5. There’s less risk of water damage with a tankless system: Since tankless water heaters don’t have a large reservoir of heated water, there’s no risk of a leaky tank flooding your home.

Is a Tankless Water Heating System the Right Choice for Me?

Tankless water heaters are an energy-saving type of HVAC equipment, but they may not be ideal for every home. Take into account these factors before switching to a tankless system:

• The cost of buying and installing a tankless water heater is usually higher: Tankless systems require a greater upfront investment compared to traditional tank-style water heaters. However, tax credits and rebates for energy-efficient home HVAC technology are often available to reduce the cost.

• The power of tankless units varies by design: Tankless units are available in both electric and gas designs. Gas units have a greater flow rate but will need venting to safely expel exhaust gases from your home. If you don’t already have a vent, installing one in your home will add to the installation cost. Electric models are easier to install but are less powerful. They also can’t be purchased with help from those cost-saving HVAC tax credits.

• Tankless models must cope with extremely cold temperatures: Tankless systems heat water as it flows through the appliance, which demands a significant temperature jump from the water’s unheated temperature to nice and warm. The colder the water is before it’s heated, the more powerful the heater must be and the more energy the tankless unit will use. For instance, if the groundwater temperature is 40°F during the dead of winter in a far northern province, and you want the water to be 110 degrees when it comes out of the shower head, your system must handle a 70-degree rise. While this is possible, it’s near the maximum of what most gas-fired tankless water heaters can handle.

• Flow rate can be limited if too many users want hot water at the same time: Due to the fact that tankless heaters don’t retain heated water, they can only provide a certain amount of hot water at once. The unit’s flow rate indicates how much hot water you can consume at once, which is an important consideration if you have a house full of people with someone always wanting a shower at the same time the dishwasher and washing machine are running! An easy way to prevent a drop in hot water is to place multiple point-of-use models in high-demand locations. However, this boosts upfront and operating costs.

• Tankless water heaters create the cold water sandwich: Tankless water heaters produce a “cold water sandwich,” a short burst of cold water created when the water heater starts and stops. It also happens if you only run a trickle of hot water that isn’t enough to keep the tankless unit running. While merely a small annoyance, it’s better to be ready for it.

Work with Bryant Heating & Cooling Service Experts for Tankless Water Heaters in Windsor

The experienced professionals at Bryant Heating & Cooling Service Experts are here to help you find the right water heating solution, whether that’s a tankless unit or a traditional storage tank model. Thanks to our 100% satisfaction guarantee, you will have peace of mind knowing that our pros will have your unit set up and working perfectly. Thinking about an upgrade? Have more questions? We’re here to support you! Just call 226-773-3357 today to contact the team at Bryant Heating & Cooling Service Experts!