by Gary Williams

Heating water is a big drain on your energy bill and some producers of tankless water heaters say that by switching it is possible to cut your energy costs in half. Tankless water heaters are also called demand of instantaneous water heaters as they provide hot water only when it is needed.

Instead of being heated in a tank and kept at that hot temperature a tankless water heater only heats up water through a heat exchanger when the hot water is demanded. Because of this these heater are also called on demand or instantaneous heater. Electric tankless water heaters can be used for dishwasher, to boost solar heating, pool shower, outdoor sinks, remote BBQ’s, hot tubs, remote bathrooms and pool houses.

It is possible to purchase an electric tankless water heater or a gas fueled tankless water heater. Each type of heater has different requirement as a gas tankless water heater needs to have proper ventilation and the electric heaters require a specific voltage and need to be on their own circuit breaker. You may need to make some renovations to your home depending on the type of tankless water heater you desire.

An important consideration is what you want the tankless water heater to do. Is it only require for one sink or do you want it to heat the water for your entire house. Some single point tankless water heaters available include the Chronomite Instant Flow SR, Stiebel Eltron Point of Use, and Eemax Single Point. A flow controlled tankless water heater is good for two water fixtures, such as two sinks. A thermostatic tankless water boosts the water temperature for long pipes that may connect to your sanitation or dishwashers.

The following models can be used to produce hot water for your entire house even outdoors. They include the Rheem Indoor Gas Fired Tankless water heater, Stiebel Eltron Tempra, and Eemax EX280T2T series 3 tankless water heaters.

AS with many energy efficient products the upfront costs are high but the actual cost of running a tankless water heater is much less then a traditional hot water system so you will eventually break even. Tankless models require a few electrical outlets nearby to power the fan and electronics and if you have an older home you may need to upgrade your ventilation and gas pipes. Tankless water heaters should also be flushed with vinegar once a year to break down any calcium build up. You may need additional filters depending on the type of water in your area.

A few disadvantages to a tankless water heater are that the water temperature can vary and you do not always get instant hot water. It will take a few minutes for the water to heat up. Also if you should only need a little bit of hot water the heat exchanger may not turn on. Be aware that if the power should go out you will not have any hot water with electric models.

About the Author:
Have you thought about going with a environmentally friendly tankless hot water heater instead of the tank types? You can get a tankless water heater tax credit in many states, so check with yours.