What’s a Tankless Water Heater?

A tankless water heater, also called an on-demand water heater, is a compact system that heats water just 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 advanced water heating method offers a number of benefits, but before you switch to a tankless system it’s a good idea to make sure it’s suitable for your home in Canada.

How Do Home Tankless Water Heaters Work?

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

Five Ways Tankless Water Heaters Benefit Your Home

Many Canada residents have already switched to tankless water heaters to experience these incredible perks:

1. Tankless water heaters supply lots of hot water: Picture your family happily taking multiple back-to-back showers without the last person in line getting a blast of cold water. That’s the benefit of using a tankless unit, which supplies virtually endless hot water as needed rather than taking up to an hour to warm up a tank of water.

2. Energy efficiency: Tankless water heaters are up to 34% more energy efficient than traditional tank-style models. The less hot water you require, the more power 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 constantly heat a big tank of hot water just in case you might request it.

3. Tankless water heaters have a longer lifespan: If you think you’ll be staying in your home for many years, a tankless water heater is a great investment. These units last over 20 years, which is almost two times as long as traditional tank heaters—which typically only last 10 to 15 years.

4. Tankless units have a space-saving design: You may be accustomed to the big, cylindrical tank that’s part of your tank-style water heater. However, it isn’t required to be this way. Most tankless systems are about the size of a carry-on suitcase installed on 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: Because tankless water heaters don’t have a 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 efficient type of HVAC equipment, but they aren’t ideal for every home. Consider these factors before taking the plunge into installing a tankless water heater in your residence:

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

• The power of tankless units varies depending on fuel source: Tankless units are available in electric or gas models. Gas units have a greater flow rate but must have venting to safely release exhaust gases from your home. If you don’t already have a vent, installing one in your home will increase the installation cost. Electric models are simpler to install but have lower performance. They also don’t qualify for those cost-saving HVAC tax credits.

• Tankless models must cope with extremely cold temperatures: Tankless systems heat water as it flows through the appliance, which is a significant temperature boost. The colder the water is before it’s heated, the more powerful the heater must be and the more energy the tankless unit will use. For example, if the groundwater temperature is 40°F during the dead of winter in a far northern province, and you want to take a shower in 110-degree water, your system must handle a 70-degree rise. Although this is possible, 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 store heated water, they can only supply a specific amount of hot water at once. The unit’s flow rate tells you how much hot water you can use at the same time, which is an important consideration if you have a house full of people trying to shower when the dishwasher and washing machine are running! One solution to avoid a lack of hot water is to install multiple point-of-use models in high-demand locations. However, 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 made when the appliance starts and stops. It also happens if you only run a trickle of hot water that doesn’t provide enough flow to keep the tankless unit running. While merely a slight annoyance, it’s better to be ready for it.

Ask the Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing Team About Tankless Water Heaters in Canada

Your local experts at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing are here to help you find 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 set up and working perfectly. Considering an upgrade? Have more questions? We’re happy to assist! Just call 866-397-3787 today to reach the team at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing!