Energy Saving Tankless Water Heaters

Get On-Demand Hot Water with an Energy Savings Tankless Hot Water Heater

By Mark J. Donovan

One way to combat high home energy bills is to switch from the conventional hot water tank heating system to an energy efficient tankless water heater. Tankless water heaters operate differently than the conventional hot water heating system by the simple fact that they do not use a tank to hold heated hot water. Instead, with tankless water heaters, the water is heated as it is needed.

For example, when someone turns on the shower, cold tap water is pumped through a large heated coil in the tankless hot water heater. As the cold water works its way through the coil it is warmed. By the time it reaches the showerhead it is at the desired temperature level as set on the tankless water heater.

Tankless water heaters are compact, extremely efficient, and somewhat complex. As a result, they are more expensive to install than the traditional hot water heater tank. However, the extra cost for installing an energy savings tankless water heater is quickly recovered by the monthly savings in hot water heating bills.

In theory, tankless hot water heaters also never run out of hot water. But this said, each tankless hot water heater is designed to produce a specified flow rate. Exceed this flow rate and you may end up with lukewarm hot water showers.

The flow rate is expressed in gallons per minute of hot water. In addition, tankless hot water heaters also specify how much they can raise the water temperature from input to output, at a specific flow rate. What this means is that during warm summer months you’re likely to produce a hotter water temperature for a specific flow rate than during the winter months, when the input water temperature is usually colder.

The most efficient tankless water heaters operate off of gas. Besides gas being an extremely efficient fuel source it also has the capacity to heat water very quickly. The only two draw backs associated with using gas, is that gas is often more expensive than oil, and a gas operating tankless water heater requires very good venting.

Often a powered vent system is installed when installing a gas fired tankless water heater. For very small hot water heating systems there are also electric tankless hot water heaters. However, electricity is typically a very expensive energy source.

So if in the market for a new hot water heater, look at energy saving tankless water heaters. A tankless hot water heater may be just the ticket for your hot water needs.

For information on installing a shower pan membrane liner for a ceramic tile shower, see the Shower Pan Membrane Liner Installation eBook from HomeAdditionPlus.com. The Shower Pan Membrane Liner EBook will quickly teach you the step-by-step process for installing the shower pan membrane liner correctly. It includes instructions on framing the shower stall, pouring the pre-slope and shower base mortar, and installing the shower pan membrane liner.

For information on how to tile a custom ceramic tile shower, see the “How to Tile a Custom Ceramic Tile Shower eBook” from HomeAdditionPlus.com. This eBook will quickly provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to measure and install ceramic tile in a shower, including the installation of tile on shower walls, floors and curbs. It provides detailed instructions for every step in the process of tiling a custom ceramic tile shower and is loaded with instructional pictures!

Related Information

Additional Plumbing Resources from Amazon.com

Get Free Bathroom Remodeling Price Quotes with No Obligation!

Fill out our 3-5 minute quick and easy form, and receive a free price quote on a bathroom remodeling project from one of our pre-screened and licensed bathroom remodeling contractors. This process is free and there is no obligation to continue once you receive your bathroom addition price estimate.