What’s a Tankless Water Heater?

A tankless water heater, also referred to as an on-demand water heater, is a space-saving system that heats water exactly when you need it. Instead of constantly storing a supply of hot water in a big tank, a tankless unit heats water instantly to the right temperature when requested. This innovative water heating method provides a number of benefits, but before you switch to a tankless system it’s smart to first make sure it’s feasible for your home in Calgary.

How Do Home Tankless Water Heaters Work?

When you turn on a hot water tap, technology in the tankless unit detects the movement of water. This activates a gas burner or an electric heating element, according to your fuel source, which then quickly heats the water as it flows through the tankless water heater. When you turn off the tap, the system shuts down and stops heating, which prevents inactive energy loss.

Five Reasons to Use a Tankless Water Heater

Many Calgary residents have already opted for tankless water heaters to take advantage of these fantastic perks:

1. Tankless water heaters supply bountiful hot water: Picture your family happily taking multiple back-to-back showers without water running cold for the last person in line. That’s the reality of installing a tankless unit, which supplies virtually unlimited hot water as it flows rather than taking 30 to 60 minutes to warm up a tank of water.

2. Going tankless is an energy efficient solution: Tankless water heaters are up to 34% more energy efficient than tank models. The less hot water you use, the more electricity or gas and money you save. That’s because you only pay to heat the water you use, instead of paying for a tank-style unit to continuously heat a big tank of hot water just in case you might request it.

3. You typically get more years of service from a tankless water heater: If you think you’ll be staying in your home for the long haul, a tankless water heater is a wise investment. These units last over 20 years, which is almost twice as long as traditional tank heaters—which generally last about 10 to 15 years.

4. Tankless units have a space-saving design: You may be used to the large, cylindrical tank used by your tank-style water heater. However, it isn’t required to be this way. The majority of tankless systems are about the size of a carry-on suitcase mounted to the wall. This means you can install them in tight spaces like utility closets or small utility rooms.

5. There’s less risk of water damage with a tankless system: Because tankless water heaters don’t have a large reservoir of heated water, there’s no risk of a leaky tank damaging your home.

Is a Tankless Water Heating System the Right Choice for Me?

Tankless water heaters are an energy-saving appliance, but they aren’t perfect for every home. Consider these factors before switching to a tankless system:

• Tankless units have a higher initial cost: Tankless systems usually have a larger upfront investment compared to the old tank-style water heaters. But, tax credits and rebates for energy-efficient HVAC equipment are often available to reduce the cost.

• The power of tankless units varies and some models require venting: Tankless units come in electric or gas designs. Gas units have a stronger flow rate but will need venting to safely expel exhaust gases from your home. If you lack a vent, installing one in your home will increase the installation cost. Electric models are easier to install but have lower performance. They also can’t be purchased with help from those cost-saving HVAC tax credits.

• Tankless models must cope with extremely cold temperatures: Tankless systems heat water as it flows through the unit, which is a significant temperature jump from the water’s unheated temperature to nice and warm. The colder the unheated water, the more powerful the heater must be and the more energy the tankless system will need to heat the water to the desired temperature. For instance, if the groundwater temperature is 40°F during the winter in a province up north, and you want the water to be 110 degrees when it comes out of the shower head, your system must handle a 70-degree rise. While this is doable, it’s near the top of what most gas-fired tankless water heaters can handle.

• Flow rate can be limited when multiple appliances are being used: Since tankless heaters don’t retain heated water, they can only heat a limited amount of hot water at once. The unit’s flow rate indicates how much hot water you can consume simultaneously, which is an important consideration if you have a house full of people trying to shower while the dishwasher and washing machine are running! An easy way to prevent a lack of hot water is to place multiple point-of-use models in high-demand water taps. On the other hand, this raises upfront and operating costs.

• Tankless water heaters create something known as the cold water sandwich: Tankless water heaters produce a “cold water sandwich,” which is a short burst of cold water created when the unit starts and stops. It also happens if you only run a trickle of hot water that isn’t sufficient to keep the tankless unit running. Although this is only a slight annoyance, it’s worth knowing about.

Work with A1 Chesney Service Experts for Tankless Water Heaters in Calgary

Your local experts at A1 Chesney Service Experts are here to help you choose the right water heating solution, whether that’s a tankless water heater or a traditional storage tank model. Thanks to our 100% satisfaction guarantee, you can feel confident that our pros will have your unit installed and running perfectly. Considering an upgrade? Have more questions? We’re happy to assist! Just call 587-315-5271 today to get in touch with the team at A1 Chesney Service Experts!