A tankless water heater is also known as a demand-type or an instantaneous water heater. It provides hot water as and when required. Typically, in such cases, as soon as you open the tap, water travels through a unit. Here, the gas or an electric element heats and supplies water, and no water is retained in the unit.

So, while you have the tap open, the tankless water heater will continue to provide you with hot water. Generally, such devices provide 2-5 gallons (or about 7.6 - 15.2 liters) of hot water per minute.

Types of tankless water heaters

Tankless water heaters are great for any kind of home as they are convenient to use. Regardless of whether you have a small apartment or a large house, you must consider these. However, it is essential to understand what kind of tankless water heater will suit your needs the best.

  • Non-condensing: This is a technology that is widely in use around Europe and Japan. A well-tested and tried design for a tankless water heater, it uses a heat exchanger to give you hot water.
  • Condensing: After a run through the first heat exchanger, the water moves through a second heat exchanger in this device. The unit reuses the heat released from the exhaust, which makes the water hotter. This leads to increased efficiency of the unit. The cooler exhaust is beneficial and easy to set up as you can use PVC to create the vents, which makes it inexpensive.
  • Hybrid: This is a design born in the USA. It incorporates the tankless design and a small tank (it can hold about 1 liter of water). The reason for including this is the inefficiency of the previous models as regards to shorter draws of water. This small tank holds a small reservoir of well-heated water that is ideal when your needs are moderate.
  • Point-of-use: This kind of a tankless water heater makes for a great option when you need more than a few units. The size makes it easy to install, whether you need one in a closet, cabinet, or under the sink. They are a lot more inexpensive and efficient when compared to traditional heaters.
  • Tankless electric: As the name suggests, these water heaters use electricity to heat the water. The lifespan of such devices is comparable to traditional water heaters. What must be assessed is how it can work with your current electrical system. You may need an upgrade as well, and this will involve extra cost.
  • Tankless gas heaters: In this model, a gas burner heats the water that passes through the element. The biggest advantage of using gas burners is that it can produce a significant temperature rise. These are far better than the electric models. Besides, a gas water heater is known to have a longer lifespan than the electric versions.

Advantages of tankless water heaters

  • A never-ending supply of hot water: A tankless water heater is synonymous with hot water on-demand. It is an amazing option for large families or those with many rooms and a huge demand for hot water. Individuals having a spa-like arrangement or a hot tub will find this to be a good option too. Generally, when people look at hot water tanks, they consider the gallon capacity and recovery rate. However, when you look at a tankless water heater, the comparison will be based on the flow rate. A unit that can heat 4 gallons per minute will be perfect for a shower plus one additional appliance, functional at the same time.
  • Space-saving: Large storage tanks are cumbersome and can look unappealing if not concealed well enough. You will not have this issue with a tankless water heater, as the design makes them perfect to go into compact spaces too. The heaters can be installed against the wall quite effortlessly. Besides, you can also think about installing them outside the home. You may have to consider the piping and attachments to make it happen. However, if this option will save you additional space, it may be worth the effort.
  • Energy-efficient: The logic is simple. These tankless water heaters do not keep heating the water or use energy to keep the water in the tank hot. The traditional heaters are energy guzzlers, especially when your usage is high, or there are several members in your family. As compared to a traditional water heater, tankless versions can reduce energy consumption by 25%-30%. Explore the options based on your usage and needs, as this will help you pick the right model. If the installation and setup price seems high, remember that savings in the form of lower electric bills will soon begin to roll in.
  • Numerous models and durability: If you consider even the most basic tankless water heater models, you are bound to get close to 20-30 years of service from them. They are far more reliable and long-lasting compared to the traditional heaters. The latter generally have a lifespan of 8-12 years. Manufacturers of tankless units adhere to the same stringent laws applicable all around. This guarantees quality along with servicing of the product whenever needed.

Disadvantages of tankless water heaters

  • Quick exhaustion of hot water: The idea of a limitless supply of hot water seems appealing. However, once you begin to use the water, the hot water can finish up quite quickly. For instance, let us assume that your tankless water heater can give you up to 4 gallons of hot water per minute. Once you have reached that point, the water you get will not be as hot/warm anymore.
  • Mismatch with fixtures: There may be a mismatch between what your faucet or tap can supply and what the tankless heater supplies. For instance, if your shower head can dispense 6 gallons and your heater can only do 3.5 gallons per minute, it will certainly not be the most positive experience.
  • More apt for small families: Tankless water heaters may be great when you have a small family (even then, it must be picked based on consumption and flow rates). When it comes to larger families and bigger spaces, you must consider the costs carefully. One of the biggest ones is the cost of remodeling. If your house needs to be changed a lot so that you can install these systems, evaluate the benefits before giving the go-ahead. So, always include labor, installation, and remodeling costs while calculating the cost of the product.
  • Venting system: The most important aspect of tankless water heaters is a good venting system. Since the heaters use high-powered burners to quickly get the water up to the right temperature, the vents need to be as per code in your area. If you will be using gas, then the pipes need to be bigger in diameter too. This is not an easy job to accomplish on your own and must be left to professionals, denoting extra costs.
  • Slightly time-consuming: Achieving the right temperature of the water may be time-consuming. This will depend on the capacity being used, and to a certain extent, the outside temperature. Finally, unless you purchase a high-capacity tankless water heater, your model may be unable to cater to your demands. So, it may be a while before you can adjust to the new settings.

Tips for choosing a tankless water heater

Understand the costs: The cost must include installation charges. While some manufacturers factor it into the price, others do not. In the case of a tankless water heater, installation is always separately charged. The cost can be steep, and it is better to be prepared about the same. Whether you are looking for these heaters online or in physical stores, it is best to clarify the same before deciding to purchase it. These tankless water heaters are reliable and cost-effective, but it is better to have a realistic idea of your overall cost. Ensure that you have a written commitment about the inclusion of installation in the cost of the product.

Work out the efficiency claims: From the beginning, make sure you know your home’s water usage and the units. Also, calculate the gallons per minute. It is quite easy once you figure out how it is done. Make sure you factor in the temperature of the place where you live. You must measure or at least understand the temperature of the groundwater in your area too. Since energy efficiency is one of the benefits of a tankless water heater, do a little research on the best models to see which one fits your requirement. Every model will display an Energy Factor rating. So, the higher the EF rating, the better will be the savings.

Make sense of flow rate, size, and demand: Unlike traditional water heaters, you need to note the flow rate of tankless water heaters. Also, it makes sense to look at the temperature rise (which will change with every season). Fortunately, there is a lot of flexibility when it comes to such heaters, and you can pick from a wide range of products. In this regard, a tankless water heater that gives you about 8 gallons of hot water per minute is a safe choice. All in all, consider using the following factors when you are choosing the heater.

  • For a modern shower, you may need about 4-8 gallons of water per minute
  • Bathroom faucets will require at least 3- 5 gallons per minute
  • Finally, kitchen faucets will work great with 3-7 gallons per minute

Fuel type: One of the major things you will need to consider is the kind of fuel that will power your tankless water heater. Each of these options has its pros and cons. However, one of the most critical factors in deciding one way or the other is the fuel used in your area. Apart from the gas or electric version, you can also buy tankless water heaters that are powered by propane.

Simple tips for installing a tankless water heater

This is mainly a job for experienced DIY professionals or installation experts. So, if you are unsure about your skills, you may want to reconsider doing this on your own. However, here are some tips on how to install a tankless water heater.

  • Assuming that you will be installing a gas tankless water heater, you must remember that it requires a large diameter gas supply line. You must have a dedicated stainless-steel flue along with a higher voltage power supply.
  • Always turn off the main water supply before you begin your work. It is important to disconnect the previous water heater, along with the associated supply line.
  • The best place to install the new tankless water heater is in the place of the old one. This will take care of the piping and other line issues that you do not want to deal with. Having said that, do make a note of the usage area, vents, and the location of plumbing and electrical panels.
  • Based on whether the unit is a gas-based or electrical-based one, you will need to follow the instructions printed on the manual provided by the manufacturer.
  • Finally, connect the electrical line/gas supply line before turning on your heater to check if it is working as it should.

To wrap it up, there are many models of tankless water heaters available in the market today. It is thus important to understand your requirements and budget before you can pick the right one. Ideally, follow up on your purchase with professional installation so that you can have a satisfactory and safe experience.