Tankless Water Heaters: Can You Make The Switch?

Tankless Water Heaters

Tankless water heaters, which are sometimes called on-demand water heaters, do not store hot water like conventional models. Instead they produce it on demand when there is a call for hot water from an appliance or faucet in your home. A properly-sized tankless water heater can produce unlimited hot water for your home, and using one can help to reduce your home's energy consumption, because, unlike water heaters with tanks, tankless models do not constantly heat water even when the water is not being used.

If you want to replace your older inefficient tank-style water heater with a newer tankless model, it may be necessary to retrofit your home by installing some new plumbing pipes, gas lines, or electrical wires. If your home has just one centrally-located conventional hot water heater, you may need to replace it with several smaller tankless water heaters to adequately supply your home's hot water needs. This is necessary because on-demand water heaters are usually smaller than those with tanks and are installed closer to where you need the hot water - in a bathroom or laundry room, for example. When considering switching to a tankless water heater, it is important to work with a qualified plumber or contractor who can design a correctly sized system that meets your specific needs.