Energy Star Says Tankless Water Heaters Can Save Families More than $100 a Year

Posted: Jun 04, 2013
Author: Minyard Plumbing, Inc.

Tankless water heaters don’t have storage tanks. When you turn a hot water faucet on, cold water runs through the piping into the unit. The water is heated either by an electric element or a gas burner. As a result, this type of water heater delivers a non-stop supply of hot water because you don’t have to wait for a tank to fill up.

See this illustration of an electric tankless water heater – also called a “demand” water heater:

Typically, tankless water heaters provide hot water at a rate of 2 to 5 gallons per minute. A gas-fired tankless unit provides a higher flow rate than an electric one. However, sometimes even the biggest gas-fired models can’t supply sufficient hot water for multiple, simultaneous uses in large households.

This problem can be overcome by installing two or more units to meet simultaneous demands for hot water. Another option is to have separate units installed to operate appliances that use large amounts of hot water such as dishwashers and clothes washers.

Two other applications for a tankless water heater are:

1. Booster for a solar water heating system.

2. Remote hot tubs or bathrooms.

Tankless water heaters can save as much as 14 percent of energy in homes where hot water usage is high (in the region of 86 gallons per day). You will save even more energy by having a unit installed at all water outlets. Energy Star estimates that typical families can save $100 or more annually with Energy Star rated tankless water heaters.