Tankless Water Heaters: Is One Right for You?

A tankless water heater, also called an on-demand water heater, is a space-saving 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 cutting-edge water heating method has a number of perks, but before you switch to a tankless system it’s a good idea to make sure it’s practical for your home in Canada.

Tankless Water Heaters: How Do They Work?

When you open a hot water tap, technology in the tankless unit detects the flow of water. This turns on a gas burner or an electric heating system, according to your fuel source, which then quickly heats the water as it passes through the tankless water heater. When you turn off the tap, the system shuts down 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: Picture your family happily taking numerous back-to-back showers without water running cold for the last person in line. That’s the reality that comes with a tankless unit, which provides virtually unlimited hot water when requested rather than taking 30 to 60 minutes to restore a tank of water.

2. Increase your home’s energy efficiency: Tankless water heaters are up to 34% more energy efficient than tank models. The less hot water you use, the more power 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 constantly heat a big reservoir of hot water just in case you might request it.

3. Tankless units have a longer service life: If you think you’ll be staying in your home for an extending time frame, a tankless water heater is a wise 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 are compact: You may be familiar with the large, cylindrical tank used by your tank-style water heater. However, it doesn’t need to be this way. The majority of tankless systems are about the size of a carry-on suitcase attached to the wall. This means you can install them in tight spaces like utility closets or small utility rooms.

5. There’s less risk of water damage with a tankless system: Due to the fact that tankless water heaters don’t have a large reservoir of heated water, there’s no risk of a burst tank damaging your home.

Is a Tankless Water Heater Right for You?

Tankless water heaters are an efficient type of HVAC equipment, but they may not be perfect for every home. Take into account 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 usually have a higher upfront investment compared to traditional tank-style water heaters. However, tax credits and rebates for energy-efficient appliances are often available to reduce the cost.

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

• Tankless models must cope with very cold weather: Tankless systems heat water as it flows through the unit, which requires a significant temperature boost. The colder the water is before it’s heated, 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. Although this is achievable, it’s near the maximum of what most gas-fired tankless water heaters can handle.

• Flow rate can be limited if too many appliances are used at once: Because tankless heaters don’t hold heated water, they can only make a limited amount of hot water at a time. The unit’s flow rate tells you how much hot water you can access at the same time, which is an important factor to consider if you have a house full of people who always want to shower while the dishwasher and washing machine are running! An easy way to prevent a lack of hot water is to place multiple point-of-use models in high-demand faucets. On the other hand, this increases upfront and operating costs.

• Tankless water heaters create a cold water sandwich: Tankless water heaters are known for producing a “cold water sandwich,” the short burst of cold water formed when the water heater 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 slight annoyance, it’s worth knowing about.

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

Your local experts 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 will have peace of mind knowing that our pros will have your unit installed and working perfectly. Ready to upgrade? Have more questions? We’re here to support you! Just call 866-397-3787 today to get in touch with the team at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing!