The tankless water heater provides home builders numerous advantages also. You are able to upgrade to a more pricey, space saving, and energy-efficient appliance. Today, they are installed in most zero energy houses. Also today, most 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 of these put a substantial strain on a traditional water heater. Then t Learn More About It is a recovery period when even the largest 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 needed by running through a heat exchange. When hot water is needed, sensors will signal the burners to light, and then heat up the water. When the hot water is no longer needed, the entire system simply shuts down and there is no pilot light. This, and the fact that there is no recovery period, can save 40 to 60 percent on your energy costs.
A tankless water heater system is also compact and can be mounted to either an outside or indoor wall to save floor space. Since they are combustion sealed, they can also be installed in the closet.
Tankless water heaters in the past couple of years have had a 20 to 30 percent sales boost each year. However, they still only account for about 2 percent of the total residential water heater market.
Part of this is the fact that some home builders are jumping 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 customers are more educated and aware of the tankless water heater advantages.
The flow rate or capacity that a tankless water heater can supply depends on the heating element. The bigger the heating element is, the larger the capacity or flow rate will be. It is also affected by the difference between the water temperature and the temperature it has to be heated up to. This is also referred to as rise.
If a tankless water heater has to heat up water to an incredibly hot temperature, such as the case in the chillier regions, it will have a lower flow rate. A basic shower temperature is 105 degrees. If the water has to be heated up from 65 degrees which is common to 105, it will do so much more effectively and with a greater flow than heating the water from 35 to 105 degrees.
The biggest obstacle to clear with a tankless water heater is the preliminary cost. This cost is 2 to 3 times greater than a traditional system. A number of long term aspects need to be looked at. First is the energy savings, as many states now offer energy rebates which can also lower the total cost. You also need to consider life span and repairs.
A conventional system is not made to be repaired, as they are made to be replaced. A tankless water heater typically has a 10 year guarantee on the heat exchange unit, and 3-5 years on the various other parts. They are made to be repaired if needed.