What Is A Tankless Water Heater And How Does It Work

Either a gas burner or an electric element heats the water.

What is a tankless water heater and how does it work.

As a result tankless water heaters deliver a constant supply of hot water. With this system setup these heaters are able to deliver an ongoing supply of hot water. Tankless heaters have been the norm in much of europe and japan for quite some time but they haven t gained popularity until recently in the united states largely due to the green movement. Tankless water heaters work by heating the input water right when hot water is turned on so there is no storage tank needed.

Unlike traditional water heaters the hot water supply is not stored in the tank this makes a tankless water heater a cost effective conservation option. Tankless water heaters heat water directly without the use of a storage tank. Tankless water heaters work by using an electric element or gas burner to warm the water as it travels through a pipe and into the unit. The idea behind a tankless system is that it heats the water as you need it instead of continually heating water stored in a tank.

Though a tankless water heater typically costs more initially it usually costs less to operate because of lower energy use since it only heats water when required instead of continuously maintaining a tank of heated water. When a hot water tap is turned on cold water travels through a pipe into the unit. If instant hot water at taps at limited hours is a. This delivers a near endless supply of hot water and provides instantaneous comfort and convenience.

Tankless water heaters take up much less space than storage water heaters as they heat the water directly. The main disadvantage of tankless water heaters is their upfront cost unit and installation is significantly higher than tank style heaters. Tankless water heaters produce an endless supply of hot water take up less space have a lower risk of leaking are safer and have a significantly longer lifespan on average. The tankless water heater will adjust flame output as needed to ensure the temperature set point is maintained.

Long term energy savings. When you turn on the hot water the cold water travels through a pipe and into the tankless water heater unit where it is heated by a gas burner or an electric element. Once the hot water tap is switched to on the cold water enters the unit to be warmed to a certain temperature and released. Water continues to be heated as it passes through the heat exchanger and exits from the hot water outlet pipe to travel through the pipes of the home to the water fixture where hot water is needed.