Utah’s Tankless Water Heater Buying Guide

A tankless water heater that runs on natural gas, propane, or electricity provides a constant supply of hot water and can reduce energy costs by eliminating the need to heat and reheat stored water. Although the initial cost may be higher, many homeowners find that the energy savings offset the expense within a few years. These water heaters are great for convenience and can be installed in any handy spot inside the home. Use it to heat up your entire house or just direct its energy to certain points of use such as showers, sinks, and appliances.

How Does a Tankless Water Heater Work?

A tankless water heater, also known as an on-demand or instant water heater, works by heating water as it flows through the unit, rather than storing and heating water in a tank. Here are the key steps in how a tankless water heater works:

• Cold water enters the unit through an inlet pipe.
• A flow sensor detects the flow of water and sends a signal to the heating unit to turn on.
• The heating unit, which can be powered by natural gas, propane, or electricity, rapidly heats the water as it flows through the unit.
• The heated water then exits the unit through an outlet pipe and is sent to the faucet, shower, or appliances.
• The unit will continue to heat water if the flow sensor detects water flowing through the unit and will shut off when the flow stops.

What Are the Benefits of a Tankless Water Heater?

Enjoy the convenience of on-demand heating and reap significant savings in terms of energy costs. This advanced technology offers an array of benefits compared to traditional water heaters.

Some of the main advantages include:

• Unlimited hot water supply: Unlike traditional tank-style water heaters, a tankless water heater will provide a constant stream of hot water, eliminating the need to wait for a tank to refill or reheat.
• Energy savings: Tankless water heaters only heat water when it is needed, which can reduce energy consumption by up to 30%. This can lead to significant cost savings on energy bills over time.
• Compact size: Tankless water heaters are much smaller in size than traditional tank-style water heaters, making them ideal for homes with limited space.
• Longer life span: Tankless water heaters typically have a longer service life than traditional tank-style water heaters, often lasting up to 20 years or more with proper maintenance.
• Lower maintenance: Tankless water heaters require less maintenance than traditional tank-style water heaters, which can save you money on service calls and repairs over time.
• Environmentally friendly: Tankless water heaters are more environmentally friendly as they use less energy and produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions.

How To Choose the Right Unit

Before investing in a tankless water heater, make sure to think about two important elements: the flow rate and temperature rise. Flow rate pertains to the amount of hot water needed for your fixtures and appliances and temperature rise refers to how much warmer you would like the output compared to incoming groundwater. Properly accounting for these factors can help ensure that your new heater meets both performance expectations and cost goals.

Flow Rate (GPM)

To figure out your household’s hot water needs, jot down all the appliances and fixtures you plan on using at once when demands are high. That could mean running the sink in the kitchen, doing laundry with a washing machine, or taking a steamy shower. You have three different ways to calculate each item’s flow rate: Look for their gallons per minute stamp; refer to their manufacturer manual; or simply measure how many seconds 1 gallon takes getting filled from said appliance/fixture — 60 seconds divided by the amount of time will give you its corresponding GPM number.

Temperature Rise

It’s no secret that temperatures vary across the United States. But what about those underground water sources? Depending on your region, groundwater can range from a brisk 35 degrees F to balmy 75 degrees — falling into one of three categories: north (37 to 51°F), central (52 to 61°F), and south (62 to 77°F). While this difference may seem small, when turning up the temperature in your home it makes all the difference. To achieve sink-side comfort or hot showers at 110°F to 120°F you will need an increase ranging anywhere between 63 to 135 degrees, depending on where the piping comes from. Ensure optimal performance by consulting sizing charts before selecting a tankless heater for warming these precious waters.

Additional Types of Water Heaters

Hybrid Water Heaters

If you want to save energy and still enjoy the convenience of a tank water heater, then hybrid heat pump technology is an excellent solution. These appliances are far more efficient than both traditional tanks and tankless models as they draw in air from their surroundings for supplemental heating power. Hybrid electric heat pumps use on-demand systems that make it easy to install over older fixtures — so you can benefit from all these advantages without having to completely remodel your space.

Point-of-Use Water Heaters

A compact point-of-use water heater can be a great solution to give any home an extra boost of hot water. Whether it’s for an appliance like a hot tub or additional rooms and expansions, these small, tankless heaters are built to fit most spaces — even cabinets. Installing one could provide the perfect amount of comfort in no time at all.

Choose My Buddy for Tankless Water Heater Services

At My Buddy the Plumber, Electric, Heating & Air, we take pride in delivering nothing short of the best tankless water heater service to every home and business owner. Our technicians are here for all your repair needs so you can have complete peace of mind knowing your tankless water heater system is our top priority.

Call (801) 381-4471 or contact us online to learn more about our tankless water heater services in the greater Salt Lake City area.