If you’re like most people, you probably have a standard water heater installed in your home, and you probably don’t think too much about it. At least you don’t think about it until you’re running water and waiting for it to get hot, or the hot water runs out after the kids take their showers, or there’s a tank leak and resulting water damage or when you realize you’re paying money every month to heat water that isn’t even being used.
Fortunately, you have a choice when it comes to heating water for your home. A whole-home gas tankless water heater can give you hot water instantly, never runs out, won’t leak or cause water damage like a tank and can save you money on your water and gas bills each month.
How a Tankless Water Heater Works
Whole-home gas tankless water heaters work the same way as conventional gas water heaters, except there’s no storage tank or standing water that you have to pay to keep hot all the time, and you get hot water a lot faster.
When you turn on a hot water tap, cold water is drawn into the tankless water heater and the gas burner is activated. The water quickly runs through a coil until it reaches a preset temperature, and hot water is delivered where you need it in just a few seconds.
The Benefits of a Tankless Water Heater
There are several benefits of using a whole-home gas tankless water heater, including saving energy, saving money, and making hot water more responsive and convenient for the whole family:
- Saving energy and saving money each month is easy to do when you don’t have to waste water waiting for it to get hot and you don’t have to heat water in a storage tank when it’s not being used. According to ENERGY STAR, homeowners with certified whole-home gas tankless water heaters can cut gas use by about 30 percent each month and save between $115 and $260 a year, depending on family size.
- Immediate and continuous hot water is a big convenience. With a tankless water heater, you’ll never run out of hot water, and you’ll never have to wait around for cold water to get hot.
- Peace of mind is always a good thing to have, and with a tankless water heater, you won’t have to worry about water damage from a leaky tank. Tankless water heaters also last around 20 years, which is much longer than conventional water heaters.
- You can install a tankless water heater almost anywhere, which can be a huge bonus. The system is small and can be mounted out of the way on a wall in the garage, for example, or can even be installed outside, giving you more space in your basement, garage, or utility room.
ENERGY STAR website, “Water Heater, Whole Home Gas Tankless for Consumers.”
ENERGY STAR website, “Save Money and More with ENERGY STAR Qualified Whole-Home Gas Tankless Water Heaters.”
ENERGY STAR website, “How It Works — Whole-Home Gas Tankless Water Heaters.”