Guide for On-Demand Water Heaters

What is an On-Demand Water Heater?

An on-demand water heater, or tankless water heater, is aptly named. In short, a tankless water heater does away with the tank part of the traditional water heater and does NOT store water. Rather, this type of water heater will heat up water as the water passes through the heating elements in the system. The result is a steady stream of hot water for as long as you need. A tankless water heater is not without restrictions though. It is limited in the number of gallons per minute (gpm) it can deliver.

Do On-Demand Water Heaters Waste Energy?

Tankless water heaters are MORE energy efficient than the tank-style counterparts. This is because a tank-style water heater must heat up a whole tank of water, generally up to 50 gallons, at once. This can waste a lot of energy, especially if you use the water heater only a few times scattered throughout the day. A tankless water heater, meanwhile, only draws energy to heat the amount of hot water you need.

Does a Tankless Water Heater Run Out of Hot Water?

Yes, a tankless water heater CAN run out of hot water. This type of water heater heats water upon demand, but it can only heat a certain number of gallons per minute. If you run multiple appliances and plumbing fixtures at the same time, you can expect lower water temperatures and weaker water pressure. This is why you should spend time calculating how much hot water you expect to use at peak time.

How Long Do Demand-Type Water Heaters Last?

Tankless water heaters use less energy and can last longer than the tank-style alternative. While the average traditional water heater can last around 12 years, a tankless water heater can have double that life expectancy. This is largely because the tank itself is incredibly vulnerable to damage and corrosion.

What’s the Drawback?

Probably the greatest drawback of an on-demand water heater is its upfront installation costs. Though the tankless water heater saves money in the long-run on low maintenance and energy costs, the higher upfront costs are a turnoff for many property owners on a budget. Fortunately, financing options can help spread the cost of that initial cost.

Need Assistance with Your Tankless Water Heater?

If you are looking for uniformed plumbers who can handle a tankless water heater installation, replacement, or repair, then grab the phone and call Sunshine Plumbers. Our friendly representatives are happy to answer any questions or concerns and schedule a flexible appointment today. We can even arrange an urgent dispatch to your location as soon as possible.