{"id":11263,"date":"2019-07-17T09:21:43","date_gmt":"2019-07-17T16:21:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/?p=11263"},"modified":"2022-06-14T10:32:30","modified_gmt":"2022-06-14T17:32:30","slug":"tankless-water-heaters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/tankless-water-heaters\/","title":{"rendered":"7 FAQ’s About Tankless Water Heaters"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"tankless<\/p>\n

Imagine receiving a dreaded midnight call from your resident telling you their water heater has exploded, they didn\u2019t know how to turn off the water, and now their home is flooded. Even if it’s not as dire, a leaky water heater can be a pain point for mold<\/a> and flooring damage. These are not pretty thoughts but water heater incidents happen every day.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Routine rental inspections<\/a> are an important task for a landlord but even with inspection and property maintenance, water heaters can go awry.\u00a0 Whether from inspection or an emergency, every property manager or landlord will need to decide to replace or repair a hot water heater at some point in time as seventy-five percent of well-maintained water heaters fail by year twelve<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Knowing your options and being proactive in the maintenance or replacement of a hot water heater can help avoid those misfortunate events. This article outlines the seven most common questions regarding tankless water heaters for your consideration.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is a Tankless Water Heater?\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

As the name implies, it is an appliance to heat water on demand. Without a tank, it is incapable of storing water.<\/p>\n

Three Types of Systems<\/strong><\/p>\n

There are three types of instantaneous hot water heaters depending on the fuel type (electric, natural gas, or propane) available at your property with many pros and cons to consider (see below). Regardless of the fuel source, they all operate similarly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Names and Sizes<\/strong><\/p>\n

Other names for a tankless water heater include inline, continuous flow, instantaneous, flash, or instant-on.<\/p>\n

As they have no tank, they are much smaller in size than a traditional water heater and come in many shapes and sizes to fit spacing needs.\u00a0 The actual size is not always an indicator of the flow rate or efficiency so size shouldn’t be the first consideration.<\/p>\n

How Does a Tankless Water Heater Work?<\/span><\/h2>\n

A traditional water heater pulls in gallons of water into a large tank and heats that water all at once, similar to a tea kettle or a pot of water on the stove.\u00a0<\/span>A tankless water heater operates by rapidly heating water on-demand in a seemingly instantaneous manner as it flows over a burner or heating coil; similar to how an on-demand coffee pot brews by the cup.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Tankless Operations<\/strong><\/p>\n

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  1. \u00a0A hot water tap is turned on.<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. \u00a0Then cold water enters the heater.<\/li>\n
  3. \u00a0A flow sensor detects the flow.<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. \u00a0That sensor triggers the burner to ignite or a heating coil to engage.<\/li>\n
  5. \u00a0Water circulates through piping around the heat exchanger.<\/span><\/li>\n
  6. \u00a0As the water journeys, it is heated to the programmed temperature and flows to the tap.<\/li>\n
  7. \u00a0Unit shuts-down when a tap is turned off.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    How Much Is a Tankless Water Heater?\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

    The overall costs depend on the type of fuel source, equipment choice, contractor fees, and other considerations.<\/p>\n

    Equipment and Installation Costs<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Researching gas, electric, or propane tankless hot water heaters you\u2019ll come to notice that they can cost upwards of double the traditional water heater. Gas units, although less expensive to operate, are more expensive than an electric tankless water heater to purchase.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Although some apartments, condos, duplexes, etc may currently be able to share one large water heater; larger spaces, homes, complexes may need more than one tankless water heater to accommodate usage adding to the initial total purchase price.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    In addition to the upfront equipment purchased, if necessary you might also need to upgrade your electrical system, redesign how the unit is vented or piped, and take into account the labor costs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Operating Costs<\/strong><\/p>\n

    A more energy-efficient water heater solution may cost you more initially but in return could save you more money in the long run. Heating water accounts for almost 20 percent of our home energy use and <\/span>one can expect up to thirty percent more energy savings<\/span> with an on-demand solution and up to fifty percent if installed at each hot water outlet.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Overall, continuous flow units that heat by natural gas will provide larger savings on utility usage over an electric unit.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    It may also qualify you for a rebate. Check with your tax advisor about potential tax rebates available. Also, check with your local energy provider for energy rebates and incentives.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    If utilities are included in the rent for your residents, The Department of Energy offers instruction on <\/span>how to calculate a unit’s annual operating cost and a worksheet to determine payback<\/span><\/a>. If the tenant is responsible for utilities, knowing the operating cost would allow you to market the potential cost savings; not to mention the draw of the environmentally conscious.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    How Long do Tankless Water Heaters Last?\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

    An on-demand water heater life span is approximately 20 years and typically comes with a much better warranty than tank water heaters. Remember to read the manual and ask your vendor for tips on specific maintenance recommendations as periodic water heater maintenance can extend the life and minimize efficiency loss.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    What Are the Benefits of a Tankless Water Heater?\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n