The tankless water heater is one of the more intriguing home improvement options, and for many people it can provide real cost savings, faster and more reliable hot water, and even lower water bills. It is important for all homeowners to explore what tankless water heaters have to offer.
With a gas powered tankless water heater, the gas passes through many finely calibrated holes, then passes through a stainless steel burner which mixes the gas with air to distribute the flame over the entire heat exchanger. This allows the tankless water heater to provide maximum heating efficiency at minimum cost.
The most important difference between a traditional tank based water heater and a tankless water heater is that the tankless approach provides on demand head, and greater efficiency. In addition, a tankless water heater can produce enough heat for several showers at once, an important consideration for homes with multiple bathrooms. Depending on the temperature of the water coming into the system, the typical tankless system can easily heat water for 2 or 3 showers at one time.
Tankless water heaters are also known as on demand systems, since the idea is that they heat water immediately, as soon as it is needed. Therefore, this type of system does not require a storage tank. As a result, the tankless system is able to provide energy savings, since it does not need to keep an entire tank of water hot at all times.
Most traditional tank type water heaters can lose up to six degrees per hour, and this kind of heat loss can waste a lot of energy. Tankless water heaters, on the other hand, simply heat the water as it is needed, so no energy is wasted in the process.
Tankless water heaters are suitable for any size home, but it is important to match the size of the system to the size of the home being heated. Your plumbing contractor will be able to provide you with more complete information about the type of tankless water heater that best suits your needs.
In addition to gas systems, there are a number of excellent tankless water heaters on the market. In addition, there are even tankless water heaters that use propane gas, and these can be an excellent choice for the energy efficient home. Again, your plumbing contractor or builder can provide complete information on the tankless water systems available in your area.
It is of course important to shop around for the best price when buying a tankless water heater. The prices on various models can vary quite a bit, and it is important to strike the right balance between quality and value. As with other types of home appliances, it is important to buy the best tankless water heater you can afford to purchase. A top quality tankless water heater will be more energy efficient and better able to stand up to the rigors of everyday use.
Brooke Sikula is a freelance writer based in Ventura, CA and writes on a wide range of topics from home improvement to credit repair and everything in between. She is a regular contributor to http://www.get-home-improvement.com and http://www.loan-mortgage-auto.com. For more information on real estate and mortgage finance, check out http://www.home-improvement4u.com.