Have you ever dreamed of taking a long hot bath without worrying about the hot water tank going cold? We have all been in that situation as the last person in line for bathing and ended up with a very short supply of hot water. Recent advances in technology may allow this situation to be a thing of the past. Instant hot water is the way of the future. Tankless hot water heaters have been around for a while now and performances continue to improve. Now is an excellent time to consider changing your system to a new tankless water heater.
Sticking with a traditional unit? We can help with that too! Be sure to schedule water heater maintenance today!
Functions and Benefits of a Tankless Water Heater
Tankless water heaters or on-demand water heaters heat the water directly as it passes through the pipes and does not rely on storing hot water in a large tank. The beauty of this system is that it provides consistent temperatures of water and a nearly endless supply of hot water. Though there is a higher initial financial output for the system itself, the energy savings from no longer needing to constantly heat a tank of water adds up quickly.
The idea that they save space and can be safer than having a tank is merely icing on the cake. The biggest benefits of the tankless water heater, also called on-demand water heater or point of use water heater, can be seen below:
- Consistent water temps
- Energy Savings
- Instant Hot Water
- Saves Space
- Low Maintenance
Tanked (less): Common Issues and Their Solutions
Though part of the appeal of the tankless hot water heater is the efficiency and low maintenance, problems can arise with any sort of home equipment or appliance. Tankless hot water services are narrowed to only a few areas. Common problems, with their solutions, are as follows:
- Mineral Accumulation: A buildup of minerals can happen in both traditional hot water tanks and in tankless systems. Though it presents a problem in either case, the space-saving size of the on-demand water heater makes the build-up more detrimental to the system. Solution: A descaling solution is a good start, but you should also consider installing a water softener in order to slow the buildup more permanently.
- System Overload: This is often a problem of multiple demands being put on a single water heater at once. If multiple showers are being used at the same time or multiple appliances such as a dishwasher and a washing machine, a smaller, single on-demand system may not be able to keep up hot water production. Solution: Your water use can be more staggered, or it may be wise to purchase a larger tankless system or a second system depending on your usage.
- Exhaust Issues: As with any appliance that deals with temperature, one of the problems that can come up with these water heaters’ exhaust systems. If the exhaust or vent is blocked, this will cause inefficiency and possible overload. Solution: Make sure vents are not obviously blocked and check hoses for nests created by rodents and birds.
- Ignition or Flame Failure: This is a particular problem with a gas-operated tankless water heater. This can be something with the gas line itself, gas pressure, or with the ignition itself. Solution: The solution here can involve replacement parts, or can be as simple as turning up the valve on water pressure or your gas pressure.
The best way to keep your tankless water heater in top shape is with improved water quality. Be sure to ask how a water softener can help today!
Your Tankless Water Heater Installation Pros
Our company has been faithfully serving the York, PA area for several years and pride ourselves on getting the job done right the first time. When it comes to tankless water heater installation, our trusty technicians cannot be beaten. Installation of a tankless water heater from A.O. Smith, a company that has been in the business for 145 years, will exceed any homeowner’s expectations.