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I'm considering purchasing one of those on-demand water heaters, but have heard mixed things about them. Do they really work?
Yes, on-demand water heaters — also called tankless or instantaneous
water heaters — really work. The trick is to figure out how much
water you're going to be using at one time and make your purchase
accordingly.
On-demand water heaters do not have a tank; they are activated only
when a hot water valve is open. The water is then heated on-the-spot
as it makes its way to your faucet, showerhead, washing machine or
wherever. This on-demand system saves a lot of energy over traditional
water heaters, which typically keep their tank-full of hot water constantly
heated, regardless of whether or not hot water is being used.
Complaints about on-demand heating systems generally come from people
who want to use more hot water at once than their heater can produce.
The cheapest heating models will only cover a single low-flow shower,
while no other water is being used. If you want to run load of laundry
while filling your Jacuzzi, you will have to pay a little more and
get a higher-end system.
Before choosing a specific on-demand water heater model, figure out
how many gallons of water you going to use at once. This list may
be helpful:
Faucets: 0.75 to 2.5 gallons per minute
Low-flow showerheads: 1.2 to 2 gallons per minute
"Standard" showerheads: 2.5 to 3.5 gallons per
minute
Washing machines: 1 to 2 gallons per minute
Dishwashers: 1 to 2 gallons per minute
Decide how many of these activities you want to be able to do at the
same time, add up the hot water flow you will need, and then select
a water heater based on the maximum number you realistically come
up with.
There is also one other thing to consider: if you have a dishwasher
and it is not a self-heating model, you will want your water heater
to heat water to 140 degrees. Dishwashers require hotter water than
other appliances. The standard temperature for most other uses is
120 degrees.
You can find more information about on-demand water heaters from the
Energy
Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network.
Remember that you can always ask for referrals if you're concerned
about a particular brand. Feel free to also ask for a trial period
money-back-guarantee. At the very least, explain your concerns to
the person you would be purchasing a heater from, and ask for his
or her recommendation.
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