Tankless water heaters, or demand-type water heaters, produce hot water only when it is needed. In most homes, it is standard for them to come equipped with a traditional water heater also known as a storage water heater. These types of water heaters produce standby energy losses. On the other hand, tankless water heaters can save you money because they are not always storing the water, thus wasting energy. Here is some helpful information to help you decide if a tankless water heater is right for your home.  

When you turn on the hot water faucet, water flows through a heat exchanger in the unit providing you with hot water. Either an electric element or natural gas burner heats the water. This results in the tankless water heater giving a consistent on demand hot water supply. You will no longer have to wait for the storage tank to fill up if you have run out of hot water. Usually, tankless water heaters can provide hot water at a rate of two to five gallons per minute, however this depends on the type of tankless water heater. An electric tankless water heater produces slower flow rates than a gas-fired tankless water heater. 

You should be aware that, at times, even the biggest gas-fired model cannot provide enough hot water if you are simultaneously using hot water to shower, run the washing machine, and wash the dishes in the dishwasher. However, if you have a large household where this scenario cannot be avoided, you can overcome this problem by installing two or more tankless water heaters. Another solution is to install a tankless water heater specifically for appliances.  

For homes that use 41 gallons or less of hot water daily, tankless water heaters can be 24%-34% more energy efficient than standard storage tank water heaters. The savings can add up. 

Ask yourself, do we ever run out of hot water in our home? Memphis and middle Tennessee can be ridiculously hot in the summer and downright freezing cold in the winter. Families can especially benefit from a tankless water heater during the colder months when the demand for hot water goes up. In most families the morning shower routine can be a battle. Who goes first, who goes last. The last person in line may have a colder than normal or a downright cold shower. Let’s face it, the ground water is downright cold, and it takes time to refill the tank with hot water. A tankless water heater large enough to cover all the bathrooms in a home would eliminate the cold shower issue. Depending on the square footage of your home, its layout, and the distance from the tankless water heater to the bathrooms, some homes may need more than one tankless water heater. Life is good with the consistent flow of warm water on a chilly morning or evening.  

Of course, the initial cost of the tankless water heater is greater than that of a standard storage water heater since they avoid the standby heat losses associated with storage water heaters. Still, many people believe you receive a return on your investment in the following ways: 

Before you purchase your tankless water heater, consider the following criteria: 

Installing a tankless water heater is usually not a DIY project since proper installation can optimize energy efficiency. You should consult with a professional for sales and installation. At CrewPros, we are happy to help. Our professionals know all the factors that must be considered before installation, such as safety issues, code requirements, fuel type, and climate. For a free consultation please contact us today.