The tankless water heater offers home builders numerous benefits also. You are able to upgrade to a more expensive, space saving, and energy-efficient appliance. Today, they are installed in a lot of zero energy houses. Also today, a lot of custom-made houses are being constructed with a whirlpool system, high output showers, showers or tubs in other rooms, large capacity washers, and dishwashers. All these put a big strain on a standard water heater. Then there is a recovery period when even the biggest units run out of hot water.
A tankless water heater is a relatively simple concept. Instead of a constant draw on resources to heat, maintain, and reheat water in a big tank, the tankless water heaters will flash-heat the water as it is required by running through a heat exchange. When hot water is required, sensors will signal the burners to light, and then heat the water. When the hot water is no longer required, the entire system simply shuts down and there is no pilot light Page . This, and the fact that there is no recovery period, can save 40 to 60 percent on your utility bill.
A tankless water heater system is also compact and can be mounted to either an exterior or indoor wall to conserve floor space. Due to the fact that they are combustion sealed, they can also be installed in the closet.
Tankless water heaters in the previous few years have had a 20 to 30 percent sales boost per year. However, they still only account for about 2 percent of the overall residential water heater market.
Part of this is the fact that some home builders are leaping in the tankless water heater parade, yet others are holding back while taking a more careful approach. Also, part of the increase is due to the fact that consumers are more well-informed and aware of the tankless water heater benefits.
The flow rate or capacity that a tankless water heater can provide is dependent on the heating element. The larger the heating element is, the bigger the capacity or flow rate will be. It is also impacted by the difference between the water temperature and the temperature it needs to be heated to. This is also referred to as rise.
If a tankless water heater needs to heat water to an extremely hot temperature, such as the case in the chillier regions, it will have a lower flow rate. A standard shower temperature is 105 degrees. If the water needs to be heated from 65 degrees which is common to 105, it will do so far more efficiently and with a greater flow than heating up the water from 35 to 105 degrees.
The biggest hurdle to clear with a tankless water heater is the initial cost. This cost is 2 to 3 times greater than a standard system. A number of long term aspects should be looked at. First is the energy savings, as numerous states now offer energy rebates which can also reduce the overall price. You also need to look at life span and repairs.
A traditional system is not made to be fixed, as they are made to be replaced. A tankless water heater normally has a 10 year guarantee on the heat exchange unit, and 3-5 years on the other parts. They are made to be repaired if required.