Tankless water heater details
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Tankless water heater mounts on wall
Smaller tankless water heaters take up very little space.
Photo Courtesy of Bosch Water Heating
A tankless water heaters uses 30 to 50
percent less energy than units with
tanks, saving a typical family about $100
or more per year, depending on water
usage. Tankless units (also called “on
demand” units) heat water only when you
turn on the faucet. They usually operate
on natural gas or propane. The main
advantage is that they eliminate the extra
cost of keeping
40 to 50 gallons
of water hot in
a storage tank,
so you waste
less energy.
They also offer
a continuous
supply of hot
water, which is
ideal for filling
a big hot tub or
a whirlpool.
They're more
compact than a
standard water
heater and
mount on a wall.
The primary disadvantage is the upfront
cost. The smaller units that you
often see won't produce enough hot water
to serve most households. They'll only
serve one faucet at a time—a problem if
you want to shower while the dishwasher is
running. Larger units that can handle the
demand of a whole family, but are expensive.
But because tankless units have high-powered
burners, they also have special
venting requirements (a dedicated, sealed
vent system, which requires professional
installation). Natural gas burners often
need a larger diameter gas pipe, which
adds to the initial
installation cost.
The bottom line: When you're pricing a
unit, be sure to get an estimate or firm bid
on installation costs. This is not a do-it yourself
project unless you have pro-level
skills. You can find tankless water heaters
at many home centers and plumbing specialty
stores.
Artwork Courtesy of Bosch Water HeatingFigure A: Tankless water heater details
Figure A: Tankless Water Heater Details
When a hot water tap is opened, the heating
elements turn on. Water is heated as
it flows through the heat exchanger.
