In the world of water heaters, tankless water heaters are a less traditional but incredibly convenient option for keeping your home supplied with hot water all throughout the year.
Tank-type water heaters function by feeding cold water into a tank, heating it either through natural gas ignition or electrical means, and then sending that hot water out to wherever it may be needed. This method is a tried and true way of doing things and ensures that there is a supply of hot water waiting for you whenever it’s needed.
However, tankless water heaters work a little differently. Sometimes called demand-type or instantaneous, tankless water heaters are attached to the pipes themselves, with no storage tank to speak of. When you turn on the water with a tankless water heater, cold water flows through a heat exchanger powered by either gas or electricity, is warmed, and then sent directly out of the faucet. This can result in energy savings because you aren’t spending any money on making sure that there is a supply of warm water constantly sitting somewhere in your home.
However, it also means that you can be limited in the amount of hot water that can be produced at a time. While the flow rate is more than enough for washing your hands or taking a shower, doing these activities while, say, running the dishwasher or washing your clothes in hot water may be more than it can handle.
Despite their limitations, tankless water heaters are a strong, convenient option for many homeowners looking for a way to get hot water through their home. Contact us at Mr. Plunger to learn more.