Tankless Water Heaters - Some Like it Hot!

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