Many homeowners have been using hot water tanks for decades. You preheat a supply and just keep it ready for the tap. It’s a familiar system.
But as household requirements evolve, some homeowners are questioning if it is still a good choice. Many are switching to tankless water heaters, and here is why.
Less space taken up by equipment
Water heaters, especially traditional ones, can take up a lot of space. Especially in smaller homes with limited utility areas. The tank must be appropriately located to allow for installation, maintenance, and access.
Tankless systems heat water on demand. That happens as it passes through a heat exchanger. Basically, they take up no space.
Hot water is generated when you need it
A storage tank keeps water hot at all times so it can be used. This means that the system can use energy even when no one is using hot water.
With a tankless system, it is quite the opposite. It preheats water as it flows through the unit, rather than holding a large reserve of water. This way of operation may be suitable for households with predictable or moderate hot water consumption.
Less worry about running out of stored water
A standard hot water tank only contains a limited supply of hot water at any given time. The saved hot water can be used up when the use happens simultaneously, like:
- Multiple people showering
- Running the dishwasher
- Using other hot water fixtures.
A tankless system may be able to supply hot water continuously during its normal operating range. But not all systems can cope with infinite simultaneous demands. Consider your household uses when planning a hot water on-demand installation.
A different approach to household energy use
Part of the reason homeowners are looking into tankless technology is how it controls heating. The system activates when hot water is demanded. Rather than reheating stored water over and over again.
However, the actual energy savings will be dependent on a variety of factors, including:
- Household size
- Water usage
- System efficiency
- Local energy costs.
So it is good to consider your current usage, not just believe that a tankless system will cut down on your home’s energy costs.
Final thoughts
Removing a storage tank does not stop maintenance. Tankless systems, which have their own parts, will need to be serviced periodically, particularly in mineral-rich water sources.
If you are thinking about making the switch, hot water on demand installation should be planned around your home’s water demand and existing plumbing. The size and capacity of the system are important because the objective is to match the equipment with the use of hot water in the home.