| Tankless water heaters have pros and cons, | | | | example, you can use a small electric unit as |
| just like everything else. They can supply | | | | a booster for a remote bathroom or laundry, |
| an endless supply of hot water, and can save | | | | or in the kitchen for cooking and instant |
| energy. | | | | coffee etc. |
| | | | |
| However, they are limited in the amount of | | | | Gas units with a standing (constantly |
| hot water that can be produced at one time | | | | burning) pilot light, however, offset some of |
| and they are more expensive to purchase than | | | | the savings achieved by the elimination of |
| a conventional storage type water heater. | | | | tank standby losses with the energy consumed |
| | | | by the pilot light. |
| They also make it take longer for you to get | | | | |
| your hot water, since they don't start | | | | Moreover, much of the heat produced by the |
| heating the water until you turn on the | | | | pilot light of a tank-type model heats the |
| faucet. This problem can be solved by using | | | | water in the tank, heat that is just lost |
| a demand hot water pump, which in combination | | | | with the instantaneous units. |
| with the tankless heater can get your hot | | | | |
| water to you at less than half the time it | | | | An alternative to the standing pilot light is |
| would take running the faucet full blast, and | | | | an intermittent ignition device. This |
| the pump doesn't run water down the drain, so | | | | resembles the spark ignition device on some |
| you save not only time, but water as well. | | | | gas kitchen ranges and ovens. You should |
| | | | check with the manufacturer for models that |
| The tankless water heaters also cause an | | | | have this feature. |
| increase in water wastage since you have to | | | | |
| let the water run longer to get your hot | | | | Small units are usually installed in a closet |
| water. This problem is also solved when using | | | | or underneath a sink, and are usually |
| the demand pump. | | | | electric due to the difficulties involved |
| | | | with installing a flue. If the unit is gas, a |
| Tankless water heaters come in a variety of | | | | flue and gas piping will need to be |
| sizes for different applications, such as a | | | | installed, which can cost a significant |
| whole-house tankless water heater, a source | | | | amount of money. If electric you will |
| for a remote bathroom or hot tub, or as a | | | | probably need 220 volt service run to the |
| boiler to provide hot water for a home | | | | location where the unit will be installed, |
| heating system. | | | | which can also be some what expensive. |
| | | | |
| Tankless hot water heaters are available in | | | | Gas-fired models typically have a higher |
| propane (LP), natural gas, or electric | | | | gallons-per-minute output than electric |
| models. | | | | models. The largest gas models, which may |
| | | | provide all the needs of an entire household, |
| Tankless water heaters can also be used as a | | | | are usually installed centrally. The flue |
| booster for dishwashers, washing machines, | | | | required will be larger than that of a gas |
| and as a backup for solar or wood-fired | | | | tank type model. |
| domestic systems. | | | | |
| | | | As with many tank type models, even the |
| You may install one centrally, or you can | | | | largest whole house models may not be able to |
| install one at the point of use, depending on | | | | supply enough for large simultaneous, |
| the amount of hot water required. For | | | | multiple uses (i.e., showers and laundry). |