Many homeowners are switching to tankless water heaters to lower their utility bills and enjoy abundant hot water on demand. Tankless water heaters provide a reliable supply of hot water indefinitely. However, how is this possible if there is no storage tank to draw from? Let’s take a look at how these innovative appliances work so you can make an informed choice when you choose your next water heater.
Activation
A tankless water heater’s default status is standby mode. When a tankless water heater is in standby mode, it doesn’t heat any water and consumes hardly any energy. When a hot water faucet is turned on, cold water starts to flow into the unit. This water flow is detected by a sensor that activates the tankless water heater and switches on a heat exchanger.
Heating
The heat exchanger is a series of passages or coils that are heated by either electricity, natural gas or propane. As the cold water passes through the heat exchanger, it is warmed to a preset temperature. Water will continue to flow through the heat exchanger and be warmed as long as the hot water faucet is on. When the hot water faucet is turned off, the sensor turns off the heat exchanger and the tankless water heater returns to standby mode.
Standby Mode
Tankless water heaters are far more efficient than traditional water heaters because they consume very little energy when they’re in standby mode. Traditional water heaters use a lot of energy in standby mode to keep the water in their tanks hot. This means that a traditional water heater will consume energy even if no hot water is being used.
Heat Exchangers
Tankless water heater heat exchangers are designed to transfer as much heat as possible to the water that passes through them. They are usually tubes or coils made out of stainless steel or copper, and they often have fins to increase the heating surface area.
Condensing and Non-Condensing Tankless Water Heaters
Early tankless water heaters were non-condensing models that featured a single heat exchanger. Non-condensing tankless water heaters are still available, but most modern models feature condensing technology and two heat exchangers. The first heat exchanger uses electricity, propane or natural gas to warm up cold water, and the second heat exchanger uses the warmth of the unit’s exhaust system to provide additional heating.
We Are Tankless Water Heater Experts
If you’re considering installing a tankless water heater, knowledgeable professionals can answer your questions and help you make a smart choice. Our plumbing professionals have more than two centuries of industry experience, and we are a BBB-accredited business with an A+ rating. Newnan, GA, residents deserve the best tankless water heater installation, maintenance and repair services possible, and we provide them. Call E Dennis AC Inc. today to schedule an estimate to enjoy endless hot water on demand in no time.
