Tankless Water Heaters: Choosing the Right Water Heater

Tankless water heaters, sometimes called "on-demand" or "instantaneous" water heaters, work just as their name suggests: they heat water as needed, instead of storing previously-heated water in a tank. When the hot water tap is turned on, cold water travels through a pipe into the unit. A gas burner or an electric element heats the water, which is delivered to the hot water tap. As long as the tap is open, the hot water will flow. Here you will find basic information about how they work, whether a tankless water heater might be right for your home, and what criteria to consider when selecting water heaters.

Prior to upgrading to a tankless water heater, it is critical to determine the flow rates of your fixtures, the coldest temperature of incoming water, and your usage patterns (how many faucets do you expect to be able to use at the same time?). Austen Plumbing Company serves commercial and residential customers throughout Travis and Bastrop Counties. We have extensive knowledge of tankless water heater installation and maintenance. To speak with our plumber and find out which option is best for you, call us today in Travis County.

What You Need to Know About Tankless Water Heaters

Tankless water heaters come in two varieties: point-of-use heaters and whole house heaters.

• Point-of-Use Water Heaters: A point-of-use water heater is a compact electrical appliance that supplies hot water to a single fixture such as a kitchen or bathroom sink. Generally they are installed in close proximity to the fixture – in the case of a sink, it would likely be in the cabinet underneath. Point-of-use tankless water heaters are usually electric and typically available in both 120-volt and 240-volt models. Units are available to accommodate other voltage requirements as well. Their “tank-less” function is simple in that when cold water travels into the unit, it is rapidly heated by an internal electrical element. Typical point-of-use tankless water heaters will generate hot water at a rate of 2 to 5 GPM (gallons per minute). A grounded electrical outlet located near the fixture is needed to operate it. Some gas model point-of-use tankless water heaters are available, utilizing an internal gas burner to heat the water. This type of installation requires a gas line run to the heater location.
• Whole House Water Heaters: Whole house units have a higher GPM flow rate capacity, and can handle demand for more than one fixture at a time. For example, a unit may handle two shower fixtures at one time or a dishwasher, kitchen sink and lavatory hot water faucet at one time. Why the different number of fixtures? Different fixtures utilize different amounts of water. Some showerheads can use six times more water than a bathroom lavatory faucet. So the size and number of whole house tankless water heaters you need will be largely driven by your required flow rate, which is determined by the number and types of fixtures you may have running at one time.

Tankless Water Heater Benefits and Advantages

Tankless water heaters offer a number of advantages over traditional tank type options. These include:

• Endless Supply of Hot Water: By far the best reason to have a tankless water heater is for the endless supply of water that it provides. If you have ever run out of hot water during a shower, then you will understand why this is so important. Tankless water heaters provide a solution to this problem as the water can continue to run for as long as it is required. In heavy water use houses, this will mean the entire family can take showers, one after another, without having to wait for the water to refill.
• Save Money and Energy: Tankless water heaters are much more efficient than normal tank water heaters when it comes to energy usage, as they do not waste energy during stand by times. Installing one in your house can lead to a decrease in your energy bill right away, which in turn usually leads to less money you have to shell out each month on your bill. Tankless water heaters can be a more expensive upfront investment, but over the course of its life, the energy savings should pay you back the extra money spent and more.
• Save Space: If you invest in an electric tankless water heater then you can also enjoy a lot of extra space. Electric heaters are usually a fourth of the size of a tank water heater. If the heater is in an indoor closet, that space can go to storing more clothing and household items and if it is in the garage then the possibilities are endless on what you can use the extra space for.
• Less Rust: Another benefit of tankless water heaters is that they are less likely to rust. Since the water is not stored in the tank, it has a lot less chance to rust and pollute the water supply. Investing in a good tankless water heater, more often than not, will save you the hassle of having to replace the heater due to rust.

Contact Austen Plumbing Company for Reliable Tankless Water Heaters

Feel free to, contact us at Austen Plumbing Company today. We can be reached in Travis County.