What Is a Tankless Water Heater?

A tankless water heater, also known as an on-demand water heater, is a small system that heats water exactly when you need it. Instead of constantly storing a supply of hot water in a large tank, a tankless unit heats water immediately to the right temperature when requested. This innovative water heating method offers a number of benefits, but before you switch to a tankless system it’s smart to first make sure it’s suitable for your home in Canada.

Tankless Water Heaters: How Do They Work?

As soon as you turn on a hot water tap, a sensor in the tankless unit detects the flow of water. This activates a gas burner or an electric heating system, according to your fuel source, which then almost instantly heats the water as it passes through the tankless water heater. When you turn off the tap, the unit turns off and stops heating, which prevents idle energy loss.

Five Ways Tankless Water Heaters Benefit Your Home

Many Canada residents have already converted to tankless water heaters to enjoy these fantastic perks:

1. Tankless water heaters supply endless hot water: Imagine your family happily taking multiple back-to-back showers without water running cold for the last person in line. That’s the advantage of using a tankless unit, which provides 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 require, the more electricity or gas and money you save. That’s all due to the fact that you only pay to heat the water you use, instead of paying for a tank-style unit to continuously heat a big reservoir of hot water just in case you might request it.

3. Tankless units have a longer service life: If you plan on residing in your home for the long haul, a tankless water heater is a smart investment. These units last over 20 years, which is almost twice as long as traditional tank heaters—which typically only last 10 to 15 years.

4. Tankless units don’t take up much space: You may be accustomed to the big, cylindrical tank in your tank-style water heater. However, it doesn’t need to be this way. Most tankless systems are about the size of a carry-on suitcase mounted to the wall. This means you can place them in tight spaces like utility closets or small utility rooms.

5. There’s a reduced risk of water damage with a tankless system: Due to the fact that tankless water heaters don’t have a big storage tank, there’s no risk of a ruptured unit damaging your home.

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

Tankless water heaters are an energy-saving appliance, but they may not be ideal for every home. Consider these factors before making the switch in your Canada home:

• The cost of buying and installing a tankless water heater is usually higher: Tankless systems require a greater upfront investment compared to traditional tank-style water heaters. But, tax credits and rebates for energy-efficient home HVAC technology are often available to reduce the cost.

• The power of tankless units varies by design: Tankless units come in both electric and gas models. Gas units have a higher flow rate but must have venting to safely expel exhaust gases from your residence. If you don’t yet have a vent, installing one in your home will raise the installation cost. Electric models are easier to install but have lower performance. They also aren’t eligible for those cost-saving HVAC tax credits.

• Tankless models must cope with very cold weather: Tankless systems heat water as it flows through the appliance, which requires a significant temperature boost. The colder the incoming water, the more powerful the heater must be and the more energy it uses. For instance, if the groundwater temperature is 40°F in a northern province, and you want to take a shower in 110-degree water, 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 if too many users want hot water at the same time: Since tankless heaters don’t retain heated water, they can only provide a limited amount of hot water at a time. The system’s flow rate tells you how much hot water you can consume at once, which is an important factor to consider if you have a house full of people trying to shower when the dishwasher and washing machine are running! An easy way to prevent a drop in hot water is to set up multiple point-of-use models in high-demand locations. On the other hand, this increases upfront and operating costs.

• Tankless water heaters create something known as the cold water sandwich: Tankless water heaters are known for producing a “cold water sandwich,” the short burst of cold water formed when the unit turns off and on again. It also occurs if you only run a trickle of hot water that isn’t sufficient to keep the tankless unit running. While merely a minor annoyance, it’s better to be ready for it.

Work with Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing for Tankless Water Heaters in Canada

The experienced professionals at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing are here to help you choose the right water heating solution, whether that’s a tankless unit 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 ready to help! Just call 866-397-3787 today to get in touch with the team at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing!