Hot water in our homes is essential but not necessarily heated in the most efficient way.
Standard Hot Water Tanks are either heated by electricity or now more commonly by gas . Electric water heaters use quite a bit of power and are useless during power outages unless you have a generator. Gas water heaters on the other hand are OK during a power outage and heat up water a little faster. The problem with both systems is that they both constantly heat and reheat the same water over and over again to maintain its temperature. This burns up more energy for nothing.
A more efficient way to heat water is a Tankless water heater which provides hot water on demand. No storage tanks or reheating water over and over.
Tankless water heaters are excellent because they operate only when you turn the tap on or when water flows through them. They are gas operated which allows them to heat water faster and instantly. Another bonus to them is that they are compact in size eliminating the need to use up valuable floor space plus Tankless water heaters mount on the wall keeping them where they’re easily accessible.
The only problem with them is they may limit the flow of hot water throughout the house when multiple taps are on since they can only produce so much water at any given time. Although you can upgrade to a larger unit if that is the case.
Tankless water heaters are an excellent solution to help eliminate high electric or gas bills depending on what type of hat water tank you have. These systems themselves are more expensive than conventional tank heaters but you’ll save that money on gas in the long run by not reheating your water all the time especially if you are away from home frequently.
I have a few questions for these as I was thinking about getting one.
1. Do they get as hot as a normal hot water heater? I love super hot showers and would hate to only ever get warm water.
2. Do you have to wait for a longer period of time for the water to start getting hot after you turn on the tap?
3. What are the normal costs for each on a monthly basis? How much can we expect to save per month on average?
4. Can you rent them like you can a normal water heater?
Well Alicia to answer your first question tankless water heaters do get just as hot as traditional tanks and you don’t really have to wait any longer than normal for the water.
Tankless water heaters take a few seconds to preheat (similar to the delay to get hot water to the tap initially) but then they stay at a consistent temperature.
As per operating cost I can not say in dollars but you’re looking around being 30% - 50% more efficient than conventional tank heaters and I’m not too familiar with tankless water heater rentals but some companies do offer them.
Hope this helps to answer your questions.