How often did you take a shower and the water started to run cold before you were finished? Don't you have that? With a traditional water heater this is always a problem. And if another person wants to use hot water after you, just forget it! Buying a water heater with a bigger tank might solve the problem, but it is expensive, it is huge and eventually any size heater can run out of water. Is there another way? Yes, you can switch to a tankless hot water heater that heats water as you need it.



How does a Tankless Hot Water Heater Work?

There are two ways to heat water. One is to store it in a tank and heat it up there; this is what conventional heaters do. Another way is to heat water as it passes through the pipes –tankless heaters work this way.

Tankless Water Heater Pros

Tankless heaters have four advantages:

- provides hot water instantly and for as long as you need it

- uses less energy

- lasts for a long time

- much smaller than a ordinary water heater

The best thing about a tankless hot water heater is that it heats up water as you use it. So you don't have to wait while it fills the tank and heats up. Hot waves heat up water as it passes through the pipes. So it doesn't need to be stored anywhere prior to heating. What it means for you is that using a tankless electric heater you will never run out of hot water while in the shower. And if several members of your family take a shower one after another, a tankless hot water heater is a great time saver because you don't have to wait the tank to refill.

How can a tankless heater help you save energy? Other water systems heat water all the time, even if you are not using it. Tankless heater, on the other hand, only heats water on demand. It doesn't waste energy heating up water while you are at work or on holidays.

The amount of savings depends on how much water you generally use. If you consume a lot and need it all day, than the savings will not be as great. But if you use hot water only in the morning and in the evening, like most full time working people do, your energy bill will go down substantially.

Another advantage is that tankless heaters have a longer life span those ordinary heaters. The reason is that water is heated as it passes through, so there are no mineral build ups. If you purchase a tankless heater by a good brand such as Bosch, Kenmore or American Water Heater, it can last as long as 20 years without being repaired or replaced.

Also tankless water heaters are much smaller than the conventional ones. So if the space is an issue, tankless heater will be great for a small home or apartment.

Tankless Electric Hot Water Heater Cons

Nothing in this world is perfect and where there are pros, there are cons as well. And for tankless hot water heaters it is the initial cost. Tankless heaters are much more expensive than ordinary water heating systems. However, if you invest in a high quality tankless heater, it will save you in energy savings in a long term.

How Tankless Water Heaters are used?

Tankless heaters are suitable for use in residential homes as well as commercial places. It can be used in swimming pools, one-day laundries, nursing homes and hospitals.

Most heaters have a thermostat that allows you adjust the temperature. You can set it on low if you have small children in the house to protect them from burning themselves. On the other hand, if you want instant hot shower, setting the temperature to high is recommended.

If you are tired of your current water heater consider a tankless water heater instead. It is very convenient, and its high price is overweighed by the benefits.