How tankless water heaters can help save energy
by A.W. Berry
Tankless water heaters can save energy and money because they don't store water the same way tank water heaters do. Tankless water heater design and function only uses energy when water is needed and doesn't waste money keep water warm or hot when it's not being used. With a tankless water heater a household can save energy on unnecessary heating, energy used in water consumption, energy saved from water flow adjustment and insulation related energy savings. This article will illustrate these main ways tankless or 'on demand' water heaters save energy and money. Specifically, tankless water heaters work to save energy in the following ways:
* Save energy on unnecessary heating
* Reduce energy used in water consumption
* Water flow adjustment
* Less vulnerability to external temperature
SAVES ENERGY ON UNNECESSARY HEATING:
Conventional water heaters are often on 24/7 especially in North America. A temperature setting is turned on and the pilot light doesn't generally go out. This temperature setting cause the water heater to use more gas every time the water temperature drops below a point indicated by the water heater's thermostat. What's more over 365 days, that little pilot light can use a bit of gas as well. When no one is home or the water is not being used energy is needlessly used to keep the water at at a certain temperature with conventional water heaters. Tankless water heaters only heat water when the water is being used. Consequently, the tankless water heater saves energy by using gas or electricity only when necessary.
USES LESS ENERGY IN WATER CONSUMPTION:
While plumbing often relies on water pressure to propel water in certain directions sometimes it requires electric powered pumping. When a hot water faucet is turned on it often runs cold for a minute or two before becoming warmer. This flow of cold water not only wastes water but electricity used in the pumping of water. By switching to an 'on demand' tankless water heater this over utilized water flow can be minimized thereby reducing electric costs associated with the pumping of water.
ADJUST WATER FLOW TO REDUCE WASTE:
With a tankless water heater the flow of water can also be controlled. Since the amount of energy required to heat water increases with the flow of water one can reduce the flow of water by a reasonable amount to still receive the same benefits of flowing water but at a fraction of the cost. By adjusting the flow of the water used with a tankless water heater in addition to the above two benefits the energy savings can increase even more.
LESS VULNERABLE TO EXTERNAL TEMPERATURE:
Since tankless water heaters do not require the same insulation as conventional storage water heaters cooler weather or house temperatures do not affect the energy used to heat the water in the same way. In the winter a storage heater has to work harder and longer to keep water warmer for periods of time when the water is not used. A tankless water heater only heats the water when it is demanded reducing the amount of time the heater has to heat the water. Thus, the tankless water heater is not as challenged by cooler external temperatures because it spends less time heating during these cooler months. This can provide additional energy savings over a conventional water heater.
The energy savings with tankless water heater are clearly recognizable. Like many energy saving devices the initial cost of the device tends to begin paying off over time and more so as time continues. Installation of tankless water heaters may not be as high as a large storage water heater and this may offset some of the costs associated with the higher price of the heater. It is consequently evident there are many ways to save both money and energy with a tankless water heater.
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Source(s):
http://saveenergy.about.com/od/productreviews/p/Tank less_Water.htm
http://www.water-professor.com/