For every people the day starts with using water, be it brushing the teeth, using the toilet, and for people taking a shower also. The first thing expected by people in this early hour of the day is warm running water. Here comes the necessity of a water heater to a large section of people, especially those who live in comparatively colder places, be it in summer and obviously in the winter.
When you are standing for taking a shower, and the water turns cold, at that time, you can feel the necessity of a water heater. The water heater is not the innovation of this century; the history of the water heater tank goes back a long way and probably two centuries.
This device is a costly investment for the homeowners, so when it’s time to place the water heater needs to consider the cost, efficiency, and longevity of that heater. There is also a strong relationship between the utility bill and the heating system of your home. The average household bill is more than a quarter of its total yearly energy due to the water heater. So, I want to suggest that this powerful device is more expensive than any other household appliance. You can see that the water heater can not only affect your daily routine but also the utility bill as well.
Before purchasing or changing a new one, we have to gather a good knowledge of different types of water heaters for the right investment.
Depending on how much hot water we can use per day and how we are heating the water (either gas or electricity), there are several types of water heaters. Such as:-
- Traditional or Storage tank water heater
- Tankless water heater
- Heat pump (hybrid) water heater
- Solar water heater
- Condensing water heater
Among the above classifications, a traditional water heater and a tankless water heater are commonly used. Though both of these two types of heaters are designed to give hot water, there is almost nothing similar between a tankless water heater and a traditional water heater. Let’s take a look at what a tankless and traditional water heater is.
Traditional water heater:
To a lot of people, generally, a water heater means the storage tank type of water heater. This traditional type of water heater is the most common type of water heater. Here a tank is fixed in a convenient part of the house, which can contain a fixed amount of water that is heated and used until we need it. This traditional type of water heater can heat 30 to 50 gallons of water at a time. There is also a temperature control system and a pressure relief valve. When the hot water is used, then the tank starts refilling again. It may use electricity, gas, solar energy, heating oil, or other energy sources.
Tankless Water Heater:
A Tankless Water Heater or – Demand Water Heater does not have any water tank or container. Contrary to the tank water heater, it does not store hot water. Instead, it uses the running water supply. It heats the water as and when it is needed. A tankless water heater uses a high-powered burner to heat the running water. It heats the water very rapidly, delivers the water directly to our faucets or shower without storing it in a tank. Generally, a tankless water heater is powered with electricity or gas. This type of water heater is fixed or installed under the basement, a garage, closet, exterior wall, or any other convenient place inside the home. This heating system acts quickly and does not restrict the flow of water.
So, now some ideas can be gathered about a tankless water heater and a traditional water heater. Before buying a new water heater, one should have a brief idea about these two types of machines, and one should find out the advantages and disadvantages of these two types. To make a wise decision, one has to learn the pros and cons of a tankless water heater and a traditional water heater.
Learn the pros and cons of a tankless water heater and a regular water heater:
A traditional water heater always works in bulk. Therefore, it consumes more energy compared to the tankless water heater since it has to heat a large volume of water at a time. The traditional heater costs enormous power, be it electricity, gas, fuel, or any other source. This type of water heater is quite disadvantageous since, in most of the world, the energy supply is not cheap, and in some places, it is hard to avail also.
On the contrary, Tankless Water Heater is an energy-efficient tool. This type of water heater eliminates the extra cost of heating a large volume of water (kipping 40-50 gallons of water) at a time and after that stored inside the tank unless the entire water is used. So, one can avoid the wastage of energy and save it if he uses the tankless heating system. The tankless water heater can give a continuous supply of running hot water quickly, which is very helpful, especially during the winter season. The tankless water heater can operate almost 30% more efficiently than a tank or traditional type of water heater.
Savings of energy means savings of money. The tankless water heater can save money in the long run. But the initial cost is very high. Sometimes this cost is three times more than a tankless water heater.
The maintenance system of a tankless water heater is secure. Installation complication is less. Regular traditional water heater requires to operate more carefully, but the tankless water heater is more comfortable to handle.
The tankless water heater doesn’t take much space. It can be installed even outside the wall or in a small area. The tankless or traditional water heaters occupy more spaces and cannot install outside the fence or wall. It takes a room or at least a big space.
Sometimes tank-type water heater can make obstacles when you set it up inside your kitchen or storeroom.
A tankless water heater supplies a limited amount of water like 30-50 gallons, and after finishing the stored water, you need to wait until the required water heat again. So, this type of water heater has a limit of output where tankless water heater promises to deliver limitless hot water. You can feel that to get a continuous hot water supply, and the tankless water heater is the best option for you.
The tankless water heater can last almost 20-30 years, which is nearly double of a traditional type of water heater.
The price range of the tankless water heater is more than the conventional standards of the water heater. According to the model, the tankless heater can range from $2,000-$4,500, whereas a traditional water heater varies from about $500-$800.
The tankless water heater has almost a six stars 7 stars energy rating. On the other hand, the tank-type water heater has a 4 to 5 stars energy rating.
The traditional type of water heater can produce more CO2 emissions than Tankless one by the coal-fired electricity. On the other hand, you can see that a tankless water heater can provide 75% less CO2 due to the use of LPG.
Water, which is supplied from the tank, can create lots of rust inside the tank, but there is no chance of formation any rust in a tankless water heater. You can get a fresh and precise water supply from the tankless water heater.
However, it is challenging to maintain the optimal temperature at the bottom of the traditional water heater. So, there is a chance to grow Legionellosis bacteria inside the tank, which can cause respiratory problems. But in the tankless water heater, there is no chance to develop any bacteria. So, the water is safe enough.
The modern tankless water system has a computer control unit that can control the temperature of the water and, at the same time, control the gas flow and modulation. This power tool also has a flame sensor and automatic gas-cut-off system to handle the device in an emergency condition.
Choosing or changing the water heating system, you have to consider lots of things. If anyone already has a regular water heater and wishes to change it for a tankless water heater, the conversion cost would be considerable. However, ultimately it will be beneficial in terms of energy efficiency. If anyone wishes to set up a new water heating system, then the choice should be a tankless water heater considering all its features.
You have to fix the best water heater based on your goal needs. But the changing of the tankless water heater from storage or traditional type of water heater is not that easy task. If you want to switch from tank to tankless water heater, you need to upgrade your gas line or electric service for increasing the capacity. That will make enough money and time as well. We can see that if you already have a traditional water heater system in your home, and if you want to change it, it will not be that beneficial for you due to the expenses. But if you have the new construction and no water heater setup inside your home then a tankless water heater can save your cost.
An excellent investment for this century is an on-demand or tankless water heater. A tankless water heater can heat the water without the help of any storage or tank. The high-power burner inside the tank is used to heat the water with the help of a heat exchanger rapidly and supply it directly through the faucet or shower.
However, this energy savings tool not only saves energy but also protects the utility bill and space as well. This costly tool is usually powered by electricity or gas for heating the water. This type of water heater is 22% more energy efficient than any other tank-type water heater. If you want to get more water around 86 gallons daily, then this type is perfect for you.
Generally, a tankless water heater is more efficient than the tank type. When we use a tankless water heater, we have very clear knowledge about how do the tankless water heater works? In general, we all know that this device can heat the water without the use of a tank. When anyone turns on the hot water tap, the cold water reaches that unit through the pipe. At that time, with the help of a gas burner or electrical unit increase the temperature of the water, and then we can get hot water instantly.
The tankless water heater can give an endless supply of hot water at less space and less risk of leaking. You already know that the installation cost is more compared with the tank-type water heater; besides this, the energy-saving capacity like 8 to 14 % is increasing the demand for this device day by day.
When you have a very good idea about how the tankless water heater can work, it will be beneficial for you to purchase the right tankless water heater. You can operate this type of device comfortably, and nothing will be new for you.
How can a tankless water heater work?
- The operating system mainly starts when you turn on the hot water tap.
- Then a flow sensor inside the tankless water heater can detect the incoming cold water inside the heater and then give a signal to the penal control system to start the production of the hot water.
- After that, the gas fire unit of the control penal can turn on the fan, which can draw the outside air and open the gas valve. This gas valve lets in the gas and ignites the burner inside that tank.
- The heat exchanger of this device can take the heat from the flames and deliver that heat to the water, which can move through the exchanger tube.
- The mixing valve can heat the water at 120 degrees or more, which is existing inside the exchanger.
- When the temperature sensor can detect the waterfalls on the desired setting at that time, the penal can adjust the gas valve, the flow regulating water valve, and also the mixing valve as well.
- Now, a sealed pair of vents through the roof can carry the exhaust gases and pass the hot air through the burner.
- When you stop the hot water tap, anywhere inside your home, at that time, the heater and the flame stops. Within a minute, a couple of gallons of hot water can produce by this heater.
So, before purchasing a tankless water heater, you must know about the working system of this water heater. This saving time and saving energy technology can make your life easier than before when you have a tankless water heater. Another thing is that you have fixed the device near the shower or faucet to get the hot water quickly. Now you can select it and store the tank correctly to get enough hot water.
Now, it all depends upon you to make the decision; if you have a tight budget, then a traditional water heater is for you. Otherwise, you can think about the tankless water heater to live a comfortable and healthy life.