Guide To Tankless Water Heater
Tankless water heater is a class of water heater which comes without any tank to store water. They provide hot water only as it is needed hence also known as demand-type or instantaneous water heaters. They are high-power water heaters which instantly heat water as it flows through the device, and do not retain any water. They provide a plentiful continuous flow of hot water. Since the tankless units have no storage tank and thereby have no standby heat loss.
Irrespective whether a tankless water heater is point-of-use or a whole-house unit, they work the same basic way. Cold water enters the unit and is heated by a heating element (heat exchanger) which is turned on by a flow activated switch. The heat exchanger can be electric resistance heating coils or a gas fired burner using natural gas or propane. (Gas units generally have more heating capacity and larger whole-house units are typically gas fired.)
Tankless water heater can be classified based on:
1.Installation point
oPoint-of-use: This type of tankless water heater are used at specific location to cater local needs e.g. kitchen, bathrooms etc. Relatively smaller in size and serves single location needs.
oWhole house: This type of tankless water heater caters water need for the whole house. Installed externally they provide hot water at every required place in the house.
2.Energy source
oElectricity based tankless water heaters: They use electricity as there power source to provide hot water.
oNatural gas or propane based models: They use gas as there power source to provide hot water.
On the contrary to Conventional Tank water heater which stores constantly heated water a Tankless water heater it heats cold water with a gas burner or electric element as it passes through the water heater.
The initial cost of a tankless water heater is greater than that of a conventional storage water heater, but tankless water heaters will typically last longer and have lower operating and energy costs, which could offset its higher purchase price. Tankless water heater costs you around 1400$ initially.Most tankless water heaters have a life expectancy of more than 20 years. The average annual operating cost for a tankless system is between $165 to $170, nearly half the cost for a conventional storage (costs around $230 to $285 annually to operate).
Apart from running cost Tankless water heater are 24%" to "34% more energy efficient than conventional storage tank water heaters. There are no standby heat losses with Tankless water heaters which is a common property of conventional storage water heaters.
Proper installation depends on many factors. These factors include fuel type, climate, local building code requirements, and safety issues, especially concerning the combustion of gas-fired water heaters. Therefore, it's best to have a qualified plumbing and heating contractor install your demand water heater. Periodic water heater maintenance can significantly extend your water heater's life and minimize loss of efficiency. Read your owner's manual for specific maintenance recommendations.
Keeping in mind the energy efficiency and cost of running and operational life Tankless water heater are way to go as they are friendly to your pocket and environment.
Irrespective whether a tankless water heater is point-of-use or a whole-house unit, they work the same basic way. Cold water enters the unit and is heated by a heating element (heat exchanger) which is turned on by a flow activated switch. The heat exchanger can be electric resistance heating coils or a gas fired burner using natural gas or propane. (Gas units generally have more heating capacity and larger whole-house units are typically gas fired.)
Tankless water heater can be classified based on:
1.Installation point
oPoint-of-use: This type of tankless water heater are used at specific location to cater local needs e.g. kitchen, bathrooms etc. Relatively smaller in size and serves single location needs.
oWhole house: This type of tankless water heater caters water need for the whole house. Installed externally they provide hot water at every required place in the house.
2.Energy source
oElectricity based tankless water heaters: They use electricity as there power source to provide hot water.
oNatural gas or propane based models: They use gas as there power source to provide hot water.
On the contrary to Conventional Tank water heater which stores constantly heated water a Tankless water heater it heats cold water with a gas burner or electric element as it passes through the water heater.
The initial cost of a tankless water heater is greater than that of a conventional storage water heater, but tankless water heaters will typically last longer and have lower operating and energy costs, which could offset its higher purchase price. Tankless water heater costs you around 1400$ initially.Most tankless water heaters have a life expectancy of more than 20 years. The average annual operating cost for a tankless system is between $165 to $170, nearly half the cost for a conventional storage (costs around $230 to $285 annually to operate).
Apart from running cost Tankless water heater are 24%" to "34% more energy efficient than conventional storage tank water heaters. There are no standby heat losses with Tankless water heaters which is a common property of conventional storage water heaters.
Proper installation depends on many factors. These factors include fuel type, climate, local building code requirements, and safety issues, especially concerning the combustion of gas-fired water heaters. Therefore, it's best to have a qualified plumbing and heating contractor install your demand water heater. Periodic water heater maintenance can significantly extend your water heater's life and minimize loss of efficiency. Read your owner's manual for specific maintenance recommendations.
Keeping in mind the energy efficiency and cost of running and operational life Tankless water heater are way to go as they are friendly to your pocket and environment.
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