The traditional tank water heaters store and heat large quantities of water in a tank. The tankless water heaters heat water as it flows through the unit. The heat exchanger in the device raises the water temperature immediately to the desired level.

As the tankless water heaters only heat water on demand, they’re quite energy efficient than the traditional water heaters. By installing tankless water heaters, you can also save a lot of space. Such water heaters also last longer than the traditional water heaters, making them a popular choice for homeowners.

You get to save a significant amount on energy bills as well. However, the tankless water heaters can be more expensive to install initially and may have a lower flow rate. This might cause certain issues in homes where water usage is considerably higher.

History of tankless water heaters

The concept of tankless water heaters has been around for more than a century. Edwin Rudd was the first to acquire a patent for tankless water heater in the late 19th century. It was not until the 1990s that such water heaters began grabbing a lot of attention. Soon, they gained popularity in the United States and other countries. They became a more efficient alternative to traditional storage tank water heaters.

In recent times, the demand for energy-efficient appliances has been growing to a great extent. The technological advancements and an increased awareness of the benefits of such appliances have ensured their wider availability. Today, the tankless water heaters have become a lot more affordable than ever before.

They have now become a popular option for new home buyers. Those looking to upgrade their existing water heating systems also prefer these water heaters. They have a variety of applications in both residential and commercial settings in recent times.

Places where tankless water heaters are used

Home owners need hot water for some of their appliances, showers, and sinks. They use tankless water heaters as a primary source of warm water for such appliances. Individual installation of these water heaters is possible for each point of use, such as a sink or shower. Alternatively, the home owners can also have them as an entire tankless water heating system.

You’ll also find such water heaters in commercial buildings today. They include office buildings, restaurants, and hotels. Tankless water heating systems at such places provide hot water for a variety of applications. Their installation is also possible in series to meet the demand for hot water.

You’ll find tankless water heaters in factories, laboratories, and hospitals. They’re installed at such places mainly for industrial applications as they require hot water for cleaning and processing.

Hot tubs, swimming pools, and showers also use tankless water heaters. Such outdoor applications of these water heaters are required mainly for providing hot water on demand.

The post An Informative Overview of Tankless Water Heaters appeared first on Paloma Tankless.

To have a refreshing hot shower, all you need to do is simply turn on the tap. The tankless water heater will heat the water passing through it, giving you hot water when you need it. With tankless water heaters, you don’t need to heat the water throughout the day and night.

In the tankless water heating systems, a burner usually ignites upon getting a signal indicating the need for hot water. The water then passes over a heat exchanger made of aluminum, which heats the water directly. The system can be put to a standby mode by shutting off the hot water supply.

The hot gases resulting from the whole operation don’t accumulate inside the home. They are exhausted outside the house with the help of a vent. Now, let’s understand the various stages involved in the operation of tankless water heaters:

Stage 1

To begin operating the tankless water heaters, you turn on the hot water knob. This would allow the water to flow through the pipes. There are tankless water heaters with single or dual knobs. So, you’ll need to make sure that you’ve turned on the appropriate knob to allow water to flow through.

Stage 2

In case of regular water heaters, you expect hot water to flow from the tank. With tankless water heaters, water flows through sensors that trigger the heating process. Thus, the flowing water is heated with the help of the system.

Stage 3

The internal system promptly ascertains the required heat of the burners once it is triggered. This helps in heating the water to the desired temperature. All the work is done by either a gas burner or an electrical component. The constant flow of hot water is maintained in this way. Because of this efficient system, you don’t need to wait for the tank to fill up.

Stage 4

When the burner starts heating the water, it goes around a heat exchanger. Once it achieves the set temperature, water exits the heater and travels through the pipes. It continues to flow until it exits through the tap.

Stage 5

You can enjoy a constant flow of hot water by using a tankless water heater. Once you no longer need hot water, you can turn off the tap. The tankless water heater would then shut down automatically. You can thus save a significant amount of energy by using such water heaters.

You might be wondering whether or not to have a tankless water heater. Before you arrive at a decision, it would be a good idea to know how it works. You’d also want to know the benefits of having one at your home or office.

As it uses far less energy to operate than the traditional water heater, you’d certainly save big on energy. Another major benefit is that you can enjoy a steady stream of hot water for your use.

The post 5 Stages in the Operation of Tankless Water Heaters appeared first on Paloma Tankless.

Water is heated instantaneously in tankless water heaters without the need for a storage tank. When you turn on the hot water knob, water flows through the unit’s heat exchanger. The burner inside it heats the water, resulting in a constant supply of hot water. With a tankless water heater, you won’t have to wait for water to fill up in the storage tank.

There are several things you’d want to consider to get the right tankless water heater. Here we’ve listed some of them:

1. Flow rate

The flow rate of a tankless water heater is the amount of hot water it can produce per minute. It’s important that you choose a unit with an appropriate flow rate. This will allow the water heater to meet the hot water demands of your household.

A higher flow rate is needed for larger households or homes with multiple bathrooms. A water heater with a lower flow rate is sufficient for smaller households with fewer hot water needs.

2. Size of your household

When choosing a tankless water heater, this is among the most important factors to consider. This includes the number of individuals in hour home as well as their hot water usage habits Based on these two key factors, you can determine the size of your tankless water heater. The higher the demand for hot water, the larger the tankless water heater you’ll need.

Let’s consider a small tankless water heater having a flow rate of 3.5 gallons per minute (GPM). It would be an ideal one for a household of one or two individuals. A larger unit with a flow rate of 8 GPM would be suitable for a family of four or five.

3. Efficiency

Energy Factor or EF is the unit of measurement for determining the efficiency of a tankless water heater. The higher the EF, the more energy-efficient the unit would be. This translates to lower operating costs and less environmental impact. For optimal energy efficiency, look for tankless water heaters with an EF of 0.82 or higher.

4. Fuel type

Tankless water heaters can be powered by electricity, natural gas, propane, or even solar energy. The fuel type you choose will depend on your home’s energy source and your personal preferences. Electric tankless water heaters are typically more expensive to operate.

However, they’re also easier to install and maintain. Natural gas or propane tankless water heaters are more energy-efficient and have a lower operating cost. The downsides of these water heaters are that they require venting and may have higher installation costs.

5. Warranty

The warranty offered by the manufacturer is another important factor to consider. A longer warranty period indicates that the manufacturer is confident about the product’s durability and reliability. Look for a tankless water heater with a warranty of at least 10 years. By doing this, you can ensure that you to ensure that you’re protected against defects or malfunctions.

6. Brand reputation

You must obviously go for a reputed brand while selecting a tankless water heater. A renowned and well-established brand is more likely to produce high-quality units. You can also expect a great customer service from such brands. Look for reviews from other homeowners and industry experts to make an informed decision.

The post 6 Things to Consider While Choosing a Tankless Water Heater appeared first on Paloma Tankless.

While both these types of water heaters are popular among home owners, you’ll need to consider their benefits and drawbacks. There are some significant differences between them, which can influence your decision to buy one for your home.

Tank-based Water Heaters

Tank-based water heaters or tank water heaters are the more traditional type in water heaters. They’re still commonly used in many households. As the name suggests, tank water heaters store hot water in a tank. It is then heated and kept hot throughout the day. When you turn on the hot water tap, water is drawn from the tank and delivered to the tap.

Among the major benefits of tank water heaters is that they’re relatively cheap to buy and install. They’re also straightforward to maintain and repair and most of their issues can be easily fixed. Besides, tank water heaters can deliver a large volume of hot water at once. This makes them a good option for larger households or families.

They do have some drawbacks as well. One of them is that they’re less energy-efficient than tankless water heaters. This is because they need to keep the water in the tank hot throughout the day. The water has to be kept hot even when you’re not using it.

This constant heating can lead to energy waste and higher bills. Tank-based water heaters also take up more space than tankless water heaters. This could be a big problem if you’re living in a home with limited amount of space.

Tankless Water Heaters

Tankless water heaters don’t have a storage tank. Instead, they heat water as it flows through the unit, delivering hot water when needed. Upon turning on a hot water tap, the water is heated as it passes through the unit. This means, you use only the amount of energy needed to heat the water.

Energy efficiency is among the major advantages that tankless water heaters provide. Because they only heat water when needed, tankless water heaters are much more energy-efficient than tank water heaters. As a result, you can save more on your energy bills. They’re smaller and take up less space than tank water heaters. This makes tankless water heaters an excellent option for smaller homes or apartments.

However, you also need to be aware of the drawbacks of tankless water heaters. One of them is their higher upfront cost. Tankless water heaters can cost significantly more than tank-based water heaters. The process of installing these water heaters is also quite complicated.

Deciding between tank-based and tankless water heaters

To decide between a tank-based and tankless water heater, you’ll need to consider your individual needs and circumstances. If you need to use multiple hot water taps at once, a tank water heater may be the better option. If you’re looking for an energy-efficient option and have a smaller household, go for a tankless water heater.

Before you arrive at a decision, it’s important to consider the upfront cost and ongoing maintenance costs. The energy efficiency also needs to be compared well. It would be a good idea to speak with a professional plumber or contractor. These individuals can help you decide which type of water heater would be the best for your home and family’s needs.

The post A Comparison of Tank-based and Tankless Water Heaters appeared first on Paloma Tankless.

A long hot shower can be one of the most pleasing experiences. You can certainly enjoy this experience with a tankless water heater. Unlike the traditional tank water heaters, tankless water heaters won’t interrupt your hot shower. To get into the details of their benefits, let’s take a look at the points below:

1. Constant flow of hot water

Tankless water heaters have the ability to provide endless flow of hot water. Traditional tank water heaters can run out of hot water, especially during peak usage times. For instance, if everyone wants to take a shower in the morning, the supply of hot water would soon run out.

In case of tankless water heaters, the hot water is not stored. They heat water while flowing and this is why there’s hot water available for you on demand. This can be extremely useful for larger households where the demand for hot water is always high.

2. Space-saving features

Traditional water heaters take up a significant amount of space as they’re typically large and bulky. Tankless water heaters are a lot smaller and you can mount one on your wall. Their compact and space-saving design frees up a considerable amount of floor space. This makes them an ideal choice for smaller homes or apartments having limited space.

3. Reduced energy consumption

A lot of energy is wasted in the traditional water heaters. This is because they continuously heat and store large quantities of water even when not in use. You can save big on energy by using a tankless water heater. It heats water only when needed, which reduces energy consumption and lowers utility bills. Tankless water heaters can have up to 34 percent more energy-efficiency than the traditional tank water heaters.

4. Excellent water quality

Rust and sediments can accumulate in traditional tank water heaters. This would greatly affect the taste and quality of water. As tankless water heaters don’t use storage tanks, there’s no build-up of sediments and rust. As a result, you can get clean and fresh water constantly that also tastes good.

5. A longer lifespan

Tankless water heaters usually last longer than the traditional tank water heaters. Since they don’t depend on a storage tank, corrosions and leaks don’t happen over time. This is not the case with traditional water heaters as they’re susceptible to rust and sediment buildup.

So, there’s always a possibility of these water heaters developing leaks. The traditional tank water heaters, therefore, often get replaced sooner than tankless water heaters.

6. Lower risk of damage due to leaks

Water leaks can cause much damage to a house or apartment. Tankless water heaters are less likely to leak owing to the absence of a storage tank. Thus, they reduce the risk of damage due to leaking water to a great extent. This helps you save a lot of money that would otherwise be spent on repairs.

The post 6 Amazing Benefits of Tankless Water Heaters appeared first on Paloma Tankless.