On Demand Hot Water Heaters ( also called Tankless Hot Water Heaters ) are a tankless hot water heater which is far more different than the standard tank-style water heaters most homes currently have. The benefits of using an on demand water heater include lower energy costs and conservation of the earth's natural resources.
On Demand Hot Water Heaters (Tankless Hot Water Heaters)
On Demand Hot Water Heaters provide energy efficient hot water right where you need it (sink, shower), when you need it, without a traditional storage tank. Using a electric, gas, or propane tankless technology water heater can cut your water-heating bill by 40 to 60 percent or more. The savings come by eliminating standby losses or energy that is wasted by continually heating the water sitting around unused in a tank.
Tankless Hot Water Heaters large enough to supply hot water for an entire house can be centrally located so the water does not have to travel as far. Often, an on demand tankless water heater will sit in a closet or under a sink where its hot water is used.
Tankless water heaters can act as a supplement a regular water heater in a far location, ie: other end of house, or it can be used for your total hot water needs. But be aware that they aren't appropriate for all home or commercial applications, and that sometimes they won't save that much energy or money.
Residential sized models supply a comfortable enough output for a house with one or two people. For a large family, that needs to do laundry and wash dishes at the same time others shower, a single tankless on demand water heater system may not meet your needs and may require additional units.
On Demand Hot Water Heaters - Pros and Cons
On Demand Hot Water Heaters - Pros:
Tankless hot water heaters are compact in size and virtually eliminate standby losses - energy wasted when hot water cools down in long pipes or while it's sitting in the storage tank.
By providing hot water on demand where it's used, tankless water heaters waste less water. People won't need to let the water run as they wait for hot water to reach the faucet. A green water heater can provide unlimited hot water as long as it is operating within the units recommended capacity.
Equipment life is usually longer than tank-style heaters because they are less subject to rust and corrosion. Life expectancy of tankless water heaters is 20 years+, compared to only 10 to 15 years for tank-type water heaters.
On Demand Hot Water Heaters range in price from under $200 for a small under-sink Point-of-Use unit to over a $1000 for a commercial unit that delivers 10+ gallons per minute. Typically, the more hot water the unit produces, the higher the cost.
In many cases, electric on demand water heaters will cost more to operate than gas on demand water heaters.
On Demand Hot Water Heaters - Cons:
On Demand Hot Water Heaters usually cannot supply enough hot water for simultaneous uses such as showers and laundry.
Unless your on demand system has a feature called modulating temperature control, it may not heat water to a constant temperature at different flow rates. That means that water temperatures can fluctuate - particularly if the water pressure varies wildly in your own water system.
Electric units will draw more start-up power than tank-type water heaters. If electric rates include a demand charge, operation may be a bit more expensive.
Electric On Demand Hot Water Heaters require a high electric power draw because the water must quickly be heated to the desired temperature. Make sure your wiring is up to the demand.
Gas On Demand Hot Water Heaters require a direct vent or conventional flue. Many gas on demand hot water heaters use a constantly lit pilot light, which can waste almost as much energy as a tank unit.
