How a tankless water heater works contributes to its ability to provide you with on-demand hot water. Find out how these types of water heaters can supply your home with large amounts of hot water quickly and why service is so essential for them.
How a Tankless Water Heater Works
When you turn on the hot water tap, the water starts to flow through the pipes. As it does, it goes past the flow sensor in the tankless water heater. This sensor triggers the unit to heat the water that flows through it. Most tankless water heaters use gas to provide the heat source because gas generates instant heating for the heat exchanger portion of the unit. Electricity typically requires extra time to heat.
Once the sensor triggers the heating element to warm up, the system begins to heat water flowing past the heating component. This heat exchanger system warms the water to the target temperature, which leaves the system. Gases produced from the burning gas leave through the ventilation system for the water heater. Most small, under-sink tankless water heaters use this method.
Some types of whole-home water heaters have secondary heat exchangers that reduce vented gases. These pass the combustion gases through another heat exchanger that draws heat from the gases, cooling them to the point of condensation. These units require a drain for the condensation and a vent for the combustion gases.
How Tankless Water Heater Operation Provides On-Demand Hot Water
Because a tankless water heater does not start to warm up the water until you turn on the tap. The closer your water heater is to the shower or faucet, the faster the hot water will arrive. Therefore, if you have a whole home tankless water heater and need a shower on the opposite side of the house, you won’t get hot water instantly because there will still be some cold water in the pipes that has to flush out before hot water from the heater arrives at the shower.
Since the water heater heats on demand, you won’t run out of hot water for your shower as might happen with a tank-style water heater. This perk and their lower energy requirements make tankless water heaters highly popular.
Why You Need an Annual Water Heater Flush
An annual water heater flush maintains the system by getting rid of any sediment or minerals that have settled in the unit. These minerals naturally occur in tap water and are not dangerous to you. However, if they build up in your water heater, they can shorten the device’s lifespan. With an annual flush, you can keep your tankless water heater providing you with on-demand hot water for two decades.
Contact Best Service Plumber to Get a New Water Heater or Repair and Service for Your Current Model
Once you understand how a water heater works, you can see that professional service and repairs are necessary. With annual flushing and occasional repairs, your tankless water heater should last for 20 years. If you need a professional to flush your system, make repairs, or install a new model, contact us at Best Service Plumber in Southern California. We’ll help you with any of your water heater service needs.
Sources
https://www.energystar.gov/products/water_heaters/water_heater_whole_home_gas_tankless/how_it_works
https://bestserviceplumber.com/
https://bestserviceplumber.com/service/water-heaters/
https://bestserviceplumber.com/contact/
https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/tankless-or-demand-type-water-heaters