What is a Tankless Water Heater?
Tankless water heaters also known as instantaneous heaters, continuous flow, inline, flash, or on-demand water heaters are exactly what their name implies. They’re compact, highly efficient water heaters that instantly heat water as it flows through the unit and does not retain any water internally.
Unlike traditional tanked water heaters, on-demand heaters are not continually heating water that sits inside a tank. Energy.gov reports that instead, when a hot water faucet is turned on, cold water flows through heat exchange in the unit and either a natural gas burner or an electric element heats the water. Tankless water heaters are a practical, energy-efficient, durable, long-lasting option for heating the water in your home or business.
Why Would You Want One?
It’s simple – everyone loves hot water on demand! Because the water isn’t sitting in a basement or utility room tank being heated, you don’t have to wait for the hot water to reach your shower or kitchen sink. As soon as you turn on the fixture, the hot water will be ready to flow! Jeff Ogan, the Director of Project Management at A.O. Smith says, “the tankless water heater’s biggest appeal is its ability to produce endless hot water-giving owners access to it as they need it.” Tankless units beat tanked ones in energy efficiency with 24-34% better performance since the unit only heats the water you need to use according to Energy.gov. Tankless water heaters are far superior in relation to durability, longevity, and the money you’ll save money on your energy bill each month. According to Build.com, tankless heaters require less maintenance and repairs because there are fewer parts involved and they can have a lifetime of up to 25 years! That is more than double the life expectancy of a tanked water heater!
Finally, tankless water heaters are space savers. Unlike tank units, they are compact and practical, fitting almost anywhere where there is an electrical outlet. According to the PHCC (Plumbing Heating and Cooling Contractors Association), “the tankless water heater provides a smaller footprint, saving space in both residential and commercial properties. The convenience of having hot water when you need it and without wasting energy is very appealing.” This is definitely one trend you’ll want to consider jumping on. If you want more information about how Bono Plumbing can help you make an informed decision about upgrading please call our office at 636-294-9110 or contact us through our website contact form. We also offer free estimates for peace of mind!