FAQs On Water Heaters

If you are in need of a new water heater, then this may actually be a good thing. You will likely be replacing a tank water heater and if so, then this may be the perfect time for you to make the switch over to a tankless water heater. You'll likely have many questions about them if you have never had a tankless water heater, so here are some answers to some of the questions many others have, so you may find some of your questions here as well.

What's the difference?

You may wonder what it is that makes a tankless water heater different, and one of the major differences can be seen in the name itself: tankless. The water heater also works differently due to the fact that it doesn't have that large storage tank. Instead of holding a tank full of water and keeping it heated all day waiting for you to need it, a tankless water heater will instead heat the water for you as you need it. This is considered to be an on-demand system. When you signify needing hot water (by turning on the hot water or an appliance that needs it), then the tankless water heater draws water in and quickly heats it.

How does it work?

When you do something that requires hot water, the water will travel through the tankless water heater, a water flow sensor will determine the strength of the flow of water coming in, and the burner will ignite. Water will be routed to the heat exchanger where it will be heated to the temperature that you have your water heater set for, then that heated water will flow through the house and go to where you need it. As soon as the water is shut off or the appliance no longer needs the hot water, then the water heater will automatically shut off.

What is the water exchange?

If you are wondering what the water exchange is that the water goes into to get heated, then you're not alone. The water exchange is the area where there are burners, and, when ignited, the burners inside the water exchange are what do the heating. It's important to know a little about the water exchange because it is also the one part of the tankless water heater that gets the most wear and tear.

Where is a tankless water heater installed?

A tankless water heater is much smaller since it doesn't need to have a tank that is large enough to store a good deal of water, so you can put the tankless one in areas that would have been too small for a tank, such as small closets.

For more information about these systems or about tankless water heater installation, contact a local plumber.