Tankless Water Heaters

Find deals, tips, and useful links to help you move successfully to tankless water heating. Tankless water heaters are here to stay, and the more you know about the technology, the benefits, and the manufacturers, the faster you can move to saving energy and having continuous hot water. And now is a good time to buy and install a unit because tankless water heater tax credits have been extended through 2010.

Introduction to Tankless Water Heaters

Tankless, on-demand, instantaneous, or inline are just different names to refer to a water heater that produces hot water quickly, and without a tank. Most people in the United States use a glass-lined water heater that keeps water hot 24 hours a day, even while you're at work or sleeping. A tankless hot water heating system does not store hot water and heats the water as you use it.

Tankless water heaters come in both electric and gas units in many capacities. Usually they can produce about 2-5 gallons of hot water per minute. If you decide to buy a unit, you will need to know how to select the right tankless water heater.

Before deciding on a tankless water heater, consider benefits and challenges.

Tankless Water Heater News Flash

The new Cash For Clunkers Deal on Appliances includes tankless water heaters. In Pennsylvania, for example, the deal's debut was on April 21, 2010 and must be claimed within 30 days of purchase. Tankless water heaters can be eligible for a rebate of up to $200.

Tankless Water Heater Benefits:

• Constant supply of hot water; there is no tank that empties
• Uses energy only when hot water is demanded
• Lower energy costs
• Designed to last more than 3 times the lifespan of a hot water tank
• Smaller than tank units, saving floor space

Tankless Water Heater Challenges:

• Must size the unit correctly to avoid losing hot water
• Smaller units may not be able to supply enough water for a household
• May need more than one unit to heat water for more than one shower
• More expensive than tank units
• May need to limit the flow of water to properly heat water (for example, to fill a tub)
• Existing gas and water lines may need to be increased in size

What Makes Tankless Water Heaters Green?

• They reduce energy consumption by up to 40% because you heat water only on demand.
• They can save water by heating water quicker and because they can be placed close to fixtures, reducing time for hot water to arrive.
• They can reduce your carbon footprint with better energy efficiency and lower gas emissions.
• They reduce waste and material usage by being much smaller than traditional hot water tanks and lasting 3 times longer.
• They have many recyclable parts, including copper and steel core components.

Did you know? The average American household spends about 13% of their utility bill on heating hot water alone.

Use TanklessWaterHeating.net to find the right dealer and installer to discuss your tankless water heating interests.