Hot Water On Demand - Your Options

For homeowners wanting instantly hot showers and to save money on utility bills while achieving this, hot water on demand is an ideal solution. Hot water on demand is delivered via tankless water heaters, which offer several advantages over traditional water heaters, including:

• Lower energy costs: on demand water heaters can save homeowners up to 40 percent on their annual water-heating costs
• Better performance and longevity: most instant hot water heaters last about 20 years, compared to the 14-year life of standard hot water heaters
• Instant hot water: ultimately the best part of on demand hot water heaters; allows for hot water within a couple seconds of turning on the faucet

There are a few different options for hot water on demand, including whole-house tankless water heaters and point-of-use water heaters.

Whole-house Tankless Water Heaters

Whole-house tankless water heaters can reduce your annual water-heating bill by up to 40 percent and heat water as they run through the system instead of keeping a large tank of water hot. They allow for an endless supply of hot water, so it is possible to take multiple showers at once while simultaneously running the dishwasher and not worry about running out of hot water. For larger families who use more hot water, it is a good idea to purchase an instant water heater that can handle a large volume of water. For such purposes, it is also advised that you purchase a system that uses gas as a source of heat. Gas instant water heaters typically can produce more hot water faster than their electric counterparts.

Point-of-Use Tankless Water Heaters

Point-of-use tankless water heaters are small electric appliances designed to supply instant hot water to a single fixture like a bathroom sink. Point-of-use water heaters are typically installed directly under the sink or fixture for which they provide hot water. The true advantage of such water heaters is that they eliminate the distance between traditional water heaters and fixtures. Because of this proximity, hot water arrives at the tap the second you turn on the water. Point-of-use tankless water heaters are also much cheaper than their whole-house counterparts.

Hot water on demand can come in tanks of many shapes and sizes. As a result, always check with a professional plumber if you have any questions.