Tankless Heater for Your Home’s Hot Water!
There are so many reasons to install a demand water-heating unit in your home. Not only are they better for the environment because they are more efficient, they are easier on your wallet. Plus, you can actually make money—a tankless heater qualifies you for a tax credit!
A tankless heater warms water without having to use a storage tank. The water is heated instantaneously or only when demanded. That is why these particular devices are commonly known as instantaneous or demand heaters. They work in a very basic manner,
but are essentially quite different from a traditional water-heating device.
Once you turn your tap on, water travels from your pipes into the device. Depending on whether the heating device is powered by electricity or gas, the water is heated directly once it enters the unit. Because the water that enters inside of the heating device is heated instantly and constantly when you demand hot water, there is no reason to rely on a tank to fill and become hot. Gas operated heating devices can heat more water then an electrically powered unit.
Because the unit heats water only on demand, installing a tankless heater is more efficient. Typical heat loss associated with a water tank or hot water holding device does not exist with the tankless heater. The water is heated instantly when you call it up out of the pipes by turning on the tap. There is no wasting water, as you eagerly wait for the water to become hot before stepping into the shower. It will be hot right after you turn it on!
There are a couple of things to keep in mind, though, when purchasing and installing an on-demand water-heating device. When choosing between an electric or gas-fired water-heating device, consider that although the gas-fired device can produce greater hot water flow, it is slightly less efficient due to the constantly burning pilot light. This may, however, be a very small use of energy compared with the energy used by a traditional water-heating unit. Talk with the manufacturer or a home improvement expert to find out which models are most efficient and right for your home.
According to the United States Department of Energy, tankless heaters can be 24%–34% more energy efficient than conventional storage tank water heaters for homes that use 41 gallons of water or less. The Department also advises that greater energy efficiency can be achieved if you install a demand water-heating device at each tap.
This energy saving and efficiency can lead to savings for you. Your energy and water bill will decrease because you will not be wasting water and energy waiting for the water to heat.
The Government as a whole and the Department of Energy encourage you to replace some of the older technologies in your home. There are other simple tips to follow – such as insulating your hot water pipes, reducing water use and lowering your water temperature – available to you by going to the Department of Energy’s website. Look into tax credits that are available to you if you replace your standard hot water heater. There may be a credit waiting for you along with greater savings if you install a tankless heater.
