The tankless water heater provides home builders numerous advantages also. You are able to upgrade to a more expensive, space saving, and energy-efficient appliance. Today, they are installed in many zero energy houses. Also today, a lot of custom houses are being constructed with a whirlpool system, high output showers, showers or tubs in other rooms, large capacity washers, and dishwashers. All of these put a huge strain on a standard water heater. Then there is a recovery period when even the biggest units run out of hot water.
A tankless water heater is a fairly simple concept. Instead of a constant draw on resources to heat, maintain, and reheat water in a big tank, the tankless water heaters will flash-heat the water as it is needed by running through a heat exchange. When hot water is needed, sensors will signal the burners to light, and then heat the water. When the hot water is no longer needed, the whole system just shuts down and there is no pilot burner. This, and the fact that there is no recovery period, can save 40 to 60 percent on your energy bill.
A tankless water heater system is also compact and can be mounted to either an outside or interior wall to conserve floor space. Since they are combustion sealed, they can also be installed in the closet.
Tankless water heaters in the previous few years have had a 20 to 30 percent sales increase per year. However, they still only account for about 2 percent of the overall residential water heater market Heating And Cooling Tucson AZ .
Part of this is the fact that some home builders are leaping in the tankless water heater parade, yet others are holding back while taking a more careful approach. Also, part of the increase is due to the fact that customers are more well-informed and familiar with the tankless water heater advantages.
The flow rate or capacity that a tankless water heater can provide is dependent on the heating element. The larger the heating element is, the larger the capacity or flow rate will be. It is also affected by the difference between the water temperature and the temperature it has to be heated up to. This is also known as rise.
If a tankless water heater has to heat water to an exceptionally hot temperature, such as the case in the chillier regions, it will have a lower flow rate. A standard shower temperature is 105 degrees. If the water has to be heated up from 65 degrees which is common to 105, it will do so far more efficiently and with a greater flow than heating the water from 35 to 105 degrees.
The biggest obstacle to clear with a tankless water heater is the initial expense. This expense is 2 to 3 times higher than a standard system. A number of long term factors should be looked at. First is the energy savings, as numerous states now offer energy rebates which can also decrease the overall price. You also have to consider life expectancy and repairs.
A conventional system is not made to be repaired, as they are made to be replaced. A tankless water heater usually has a 10 year guarantee on the heat exchange unit, and 3-5 years on the other parts. They are made to be repaired if needed.