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How Does a Tankless Water Heater Work?
Trusted Plumbing and Heating Explains
If you have ever wondered how homes and businesses get their water hot so quickly and easily, the answer is usually a water heater. There are a few kinds of water heaters, but one of the most talked about and efficient types today is the tankless water heater. At Trusted Plumbing and Heating, we have spent over forty five years working with all kinds of water heaters, so we know what works best for families and business owners. In this blog, we will help answer the question many people search for — how does a tankless water heater work?What Is a Tankless Water Heater?
Let us start with the basics. Most people are familiar with the traditional water heater, that big metal tank sitting in a closet or basement. These heaters store water, keep it hot, and send it to your taps when you need it. But a tankless water heater, which is sometimes called an on demand water heater, works differently. As the name suggests, it does not have a storage tank. Instead, it heats the water only when you need it.The Science Behind Tankless Water Heaters
Now, let us talk about how a tankless water heater does its job. Think of turning on your hot water faucet, like when you want to wash your hands or take a shower. When you do this, cold water travels through a pipe and enters the tankless water heater. Inside this unit, instead of a tank, you will find powerful parts like either a gas burner or an electric element. No matter which type it is, their job is to heat the water right then and there as it passes through. This is called instantaneous water heating. Inside most tankless water heaters you will find a heat exchanger. This is a special metal part that heats up very quickly. When cold water flows through the heat exchanger, the gas burner or electric element heats it up almost instantly. The heated water then goes straight out to your tap or shower. Because the water heating happens while the water is moving through the system, you do not have to wait for a tank to fill up with hot water before you can use it.Why Choose a Tankless Water Heater?
There are several reasons why people in our area ask about upgrading to a tankless water heater. Here are a few of the top benefits:- Hot Water on Demand: One of the biggest advantages is that tankless water heaters can provide hot water whenever you want it. Since they do not run out of stored water, you can enjoy a long shower or fill a big bathtub without worrying about using up all the hot water.
- Space Saving: Because there is no big storage tank, these heaters take up less room. You can mount them on a wall which frees up space.
- Energy Efficiency: Since tankless water heaters only heat water when you need it, they do not waste energy keeping a big tank hot all day. This can help save money on your energy bills.
- Longer Lifespan: Tankless water heaters often last longer than traditional water heaters because they do not have a tank that can rust or leak.
Important Details to Know
While tankless water heaters are great for many homes and businesses, there are a few things you should know before deciding to install one.- Flow Rate Matters: Every tankless water heater has a flow rate. This means it can only heat a certain number of gallons of water per minute. If you want to run a shower and a washing machine at the same time, you need a unit with a high enough flow rate so that both can have hot water. If you choose the wrong size, you might notice the hot water cools down when too many taps are open.
- Fuel Option: Tankless water heaters can be powered by natural gas, propane, or electricity. Each type has its own way of creating heat but all use a heat exchanger to get the job done.
- Temperature Control: Most tankless water heaters include temperature controls. This allows you to pick how warm or hot you want the water to be.
- Professional Installation: Installing these heaters is different from the old style water heater. The connections for gas or electric power and the correct water flow must be just right. That is why we always recommend calling a professional like Trusted Plumbing and Heating to get the job done safely and correctly.
