Tankless Water
Heaters
Tankless water heaters
provide hot water at a preset temperature when needed
without storage, thereby reducing or eliminating standby
losses in terms of utility bills. Tankless water heaters can
be used for supplementary heat, such as a booster to a solar
hot water system, or to meet all hot water needs.
Tankless water heaters have
an electric, gas, or propane heating device that is
activated by the flow of water. Once activated, the heater
provides a constant supply of hot water. The maximum flow
rate at a desired temperature will be determined by the
capacity of the heater. Gas tankless water heaters typically
have larger capacities than electric tankless water heaters.
Throw away your water
heater tank and shave ten to twenty percent off your water
heating bill. That savings results from elimination of
standby losses -- energy lost from warmed water sitting in a
tank. And, since water heating accounts for about 14 percent
of the average U.S. household energy budget, this can be a
significant loss.
Large units intended for
whole house water heating are located centrally in the house
while, in point-of-use applications, the water heater
usually sits in a closet or under a sink.
Tankless water heaters are
rated by the maximum flow rate at which a desired
temperature rise is met. Special features may allow the user
to set the delivery temperature. Efficiency is higher than
an equivalent tank type water heater because standby losses
are virtually eliminated. Electric tankless water heaters
require a relatively high electric power draw because water
must be heated quickly to the desired temperature.
Residential gas models are available that can heat more than
five gallons per minute by 60°F, generally more than enough
for two showers to be run simultaneously. Whole house
electric units typically have a capacity closer to three
gallons per minute.
Outdoor model, shown on
left side, can be easily mounted to an exterior wall with
brackets. The vent on the front bottom allows for
fresh air to enter, while the exhaust vent at the top, faces
out, away from the structure blowing only warmed air.
These are high efficiency units, as such, they recycle their
own exhaust fumes, similar to a catalytic converter on a car
or truck.
Indoor model, shown to
right side, can be installed in most any closet, garage, or
utility soon with two restrictions. First there must be an
adequate un-obstructed supply of fresh air (intake).
Second, it must have proper venting (exhaust)
installed with an approved vent kit
to avoid creating hazardous conditions including
equipment malfunction, carbon
monoxide poisoning, and death.
Here is a fair comparison
between a conventional tank-style water heater, and a high
efficiency tankless water heater.
(vent piping not shown here for either model, but required)
Remember, tankless =
endless hot water
& lower utility bills!
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