If you’re in the market for a new water heater for your home, why not consider a tankless model? Tankless heaters are small and compact and offer more hot water on demand than models with tanks. However, some homeowners might wonder how these appliances work in the first place! If you’re curious about tankless water heaters, check out some vital details about their features and benefits.
Tankless water heaters, as the name implies, don’t use a tank of stored hot water. Instead, these small units connect a heating element to your home’s faucets. Then, when you turn on the hot water tap, water flows over those coils or burners. In turn, the water is hot by the time it reaches the faucet or showerhead.
There are several advantages to a tankless versus a standard tank water heater. One is that you aren’t likely to run out of hot water no matter your home’s demands. Two, you won’t waste electricity heating up a tank of water that’s not in use! Remember that a water heater tank cycles on whenever the water cools to a certain temperature. In turn, those tanks typically require lots of energy even when you’re not using hot water.
One great advantage of a tankless water heater is that it doesn’t run out of hot water, as said. Water runs over heating coils or burners when you run it from a faucet or showerhead. In turn, those heaters create hot water on demand rather than storing it for use later.
However, note that some tankless heaters have failsafe mechanisms built into their system. These mechanisms shut off the heater if they get too hot or if the water reaches a certain temperature. Consequently, your tankless heater might fail in the middle of an exceptionally hot shower! Also, note that these heaters can break down over time, just like any other household appliance.
Most tankless water heaters take no more than 15 to 30 seconds to heat water as it runs through their burners. The time it takes for hot water to reach your home’s taps then or showerheads depends on your home’s design! For taps on the opposite end of the house, you might need to wait several more seconds for hot water.
Tankless water heaters might have the same problems as standard heaters! For instance, a temperature sensor might fail over time, so that the heating element doesn’t cycle on as it should. Loose bolts and damaged pressure relief valves risk cracks and significant water leaks.
Clogs and mineral buildup can also interfere with coils or burners heating properly. Also, these can cause the water to cool down as it runs from the heating element to taps and faucets. Lastly, a damaged pilot light or thermocouple, which regulates gas temperature, can mean no hot water!
There are many reasons to consider a tankless water heater for your home! Check out just a few and then discuss your needs with a plumbing contractor near you:
Alliance Service Pros - Plumbing & Heating is happy to bring this information about water heaters in Hamilton, NJ to our readers. Hopefully, you found this article helpful! However, if you still have questions about water heaters, don’t hesitate to contact our New Jersey plumbing contractors. We offer full-scale plumbing installation and repairs. Additionally, we stand behind every project with a full guarantee! To find out more, use our contact form or just give us a call.
Alliance Service Pros is a full-service plumbing company committed to providing the fast, friendly, and cost-effective home services you deserve. Call (609) 739-9899 for immediate assistance.