How Does a Tankless Water Heater Work?

There are many reasons homeowners are increasingly turning to tankless water heating systems. Perhaps the biggest benefit is that this type of unit greatly reduces energy consumption and ends up costing a homeowner less on every month’s utility bill. A new technology, tankless water heaters, now competes with the old storage systems. Sometimes called “on-demand” water heaters, these systems only heat up water as it is needed, so they will not run out of hot water and use less energy. They also last, on average, 10 years longer than storage water heaters.

New vs. Old

A traditional water heater provides continuous heat to water that is stored in a large tank. These tanks not only take up a decent amount of space in your garage or basement, but they also use a substantial amount of energy. If you are searching, “how does a tankless water heater work?” you might note that: a tankless system takes up much less space, a tankless system can last up to 10 years longer than a traditional system, and a tankless system conserves natural gas.

Tankless water heaters simply warm the water as you need it. This eliminates the standby heat loss that occurs with a traditional system. In a tankless system, a heat exchanger raises the temperature of the water by transferring heat from either electric coils or gas-fired burners into the water. These are electric, natural gas and propane models. What’s more, you can choose between a point-of-use heater for just one or two faucets or a system that will work for the entire house.

The type of tankless water heater that will work for your home depends on a number of factors. And, despite their  many advantages, tankless systems are not the ideal choice for every home. You should consult with a water heater specialist to analyze how much hot water you use and if you will receive the full benefits of a tankless system.

Regardless of what type of water heater you have in your home. you will need to have it regularly maintained and occasionally repaired. Daniels Plumbing Company can take care of the necessary maintenance and water heater repair in the Houston Area. Call us to consult about tankless water heater installation as well.