The Benefits of a Tankless Water Heater

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by: peteroliver
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Word Count: 529
Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 Time: 6:23 PM

Tankless water heaters go by a variety of names. They are essentially a type of water heater that heat water as it passes through the system instead of holding water in a reservoir that is then heated. This is why they go by the name continuous flow, on-demand, instantaneous water heaters. There are a variety of advantages to this method of heating water. Firstly, consider the amount of energy it takes to heat water – it is quite a large amount. Now consider how much energy it takes to keep the water hot while it is sitting in the tank, waiting for someone to use it. Using a tankless water heater doesn’t actually require the latter. To really understand how this type of hot water system works, it is worth delving into the specifics of how it actually works.

Anywhere in your home that requires hot water (kitchens, laundries and bathrooms for example), you will need to install a system. Instead of having one hot water service that actually holds the hot water and distributes it around the home – you are essentially creating hot water access points by setting up the system in multiple places around the home. When someone turns the tap to get some hot water the system senses that water is coming through the system. As the water comes through the system there is either a gas or electric heat exchange that heats the water up to the desired temperature. As the water hits the system it is almost instantly heated to the correct temperature – when the tap is turned off the system automatically stops heating the water. There you have it, instant hot water in a continuous stream (no more cold showers because you have been the last one able to use the shower in your household).

However, unlimited warm showers are not the only advantage of this method of water heating. They are a lot more efficient in terms of energy use. As previously stated, it requires less energy to keep water hot. You are also not wasting energy heating water that doesn’t actually make it to the faucet before the tap is turned off. With a standard (non-point-of-use water heater) water that has been previously heated ends up trapped in the pipes as it flows through the hot water service and through the pipes transporting it. If the tap is turned off (because no more hot water is needed) then that water that was hot is trapped between the system and the tap and cools down. Your hot water service then has to reheat a new batch of hot water.

You still have the option of running a tankless hot water service with gas or electricity as well. You have the option to utilise cheaper natural gas or propane so it can be used to save quite a substantial amount of money in the long term. Sure, it may seem expensive to install a tankless hot water service where ever you need hot water – however that cost will easily be absorbed after a couple of years of use.

About the Author

Plumber Beverly Hills, Newton Plumbing is the most reliable of all Beverly Hills plumbers. 60 yrs experience in Drain, Sewer, Gas Line & Water Heater repairs.

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