Convenient and Reliable Tankless Water Heaters

Though tankless water heaters may not appear all too different at first, you may want to consider thinking about your next water heater if you want to enjoy hot water at home.

Things To Consider Before Buying a Tankless Water Heater

Size

Not all tankless water heaters are made at a standard size. In fact, tankless water heaters largely vary in size depending on the inner circuits and systems present inside the appliance. So, depending on the manufacturer, some tankless water heaters may be able to fit inside your cramped shower room, whereas other tankless water heaters will require you to place them in a more open area.

Shape

Aside from the size, you’ll want to take into account the shape of the tankless water heater itself. For the most part, tankless water heaters have a rectangular shape that’s easily mountable on a bathroom wall or beside a sink, as that’s where they’re most commonly installed. However, some tankless water heaters are shaped differently, due to the presence of other components such as a mini tank to create hot water. Consider where you plan on placing the heater before deciding to buy one.

Features

Tankless water heaters are meant to do one thing - heat water - but that doesn’t mean they can’t do more than just that. Many tankless water heaters come with digital thermostats for a more accurate display of temperature, and some even come with a self-modulating feature that keeps the hot water at just the right temperature at all times. These features aren’t exactly necessary, but they can be handy on many occasions.

Portability

While not all tankless water heaters are portable, some are designed to be, and you may want to be able to bring a tankless water heater with you during travels or if you want to use them in more than one location, so you always have a supply of hot water. These types of tankless water heaters usually run on natural gas or propane, rather than utilizing a heat exchanger, so be careful while using them.

Tankless Water Heater Price Ranges

Affordable tankless water heaters can set you back as little as $100. A tankless water heater can come equipped with a modern thermostat and touch controls despite its affordable price. Some tankless water heaters are more expensive at $200 and can come with additional features such as self-modulation. The most expensive tankless water heaters can cost you as much as $400 per unit.

For the most part, however, the price of tankless water heaters varies from manufacturer to manufacturer.

How Does a Tankless Water Heater Work?

One of the major benefits of a tankless water heater is that once it is warmed up, you will have a constant flow of hot water. That means that you don't have to worry about running out of hot water during your shower, even if the washing machine and dishwasher are all running at the same time. So, how does a tankless water heater work this magic?

There is a heat exchanger in the unit. A heat exchanger is a device that transfers heat between two or more liquids. Cool water or hot water can be produced with a heat exchanger; however, in the case of a tankless water heater, hot water is produced. 

Once the hot water tap is turned on, cool water flows through the heat exchanger and is heated up. Because there is no tank, a continuous supply of hot water will flow through the tankless water heater and out of the hot water tap. 

How We Choose the Best Tankless Water Heaters

We choose tankless water heaters based on what powers them, the energy efficiency, the features that come with them, and customer reviews.

Tankless vs. Conventional Storage Water Heater

Not sure if a tankless water heater is right for you? This video from Roger Wakefield outlines the pros and cons of both options, so you can make the right pick: