What Is a Tankless Water Heater? How Is It Different Than a Hot Water Tank?
The most common home hot water system is a conventional storage tank water heater. These systems rely on a tank that stores and heats water. The tank intakes cold water and heats it over time. The tank contains a finite amount of water, and it takes several hours to heat a full tank. This means it’s possible to run out of hot water on heavy-use days.
In contrast, a tankless water heater has no tank for storing water. A tankless heating system is a self-contained heating unit that you connect to your home water supply. Water enters the tankless heater unit via an intake line and is heated instantly by electric or gas-powered heating coils. The hot water exits via an outlet line and is distributed wherever it’s needed in your home.
How Does a Tankless Water Heater Work?
Both tankless units and tank-based systems heat up water using an electric or gas-powered heating element. The difference with tankless systems is that the heating element is more powerful, and it heats water as it passes through the unit .
Inside a tankless heating unit the heat exchanger is an S-shaped pipe with a heating coil inside. When you turn on the hot water somewhere in your house, the flow sensor inside the heating unit causes the coil to heat up. As water flows through the intake line and into the heat exchanger, heat is transferred from the coil to the water. As the water exits the heat exchanger and re-enters the plumbing system, it’s piping hot and on its way wherever it’s needed.
Benefits of a Tankless Water Heater Installation
Tankless water heaters have several benefits that make them increasingly popular in many homes.
Tankless Water Heaters: The Benefits
Endless supply of hot water
Because your water is heated on demand, hot water is available 24/7.
Higher energy efficiency - Lower operating costs
Not keeping a full tank of water continuously heated can make tankless water heaters up to 34% more fuel-efficient than tank heaters.
Longer lifespan
In addition, tankless units have a lifespan of 20 years or more, compared to 8 to 15 years for a hot water tank.
Smaller installation space
If space is at a premium in your home, switching to a tankless system can free up some extra storage or living space!
Eco-Wi-fi compatible
The newest tankless water heater systems are so high-tech that they’re wi-fi compatible. This digital connectivity lets you download an app to your phone to help you manage your hot water system. You can use the app to:
- Monitor your hot water usage
- Adjust the thermostat to raise or lower the water temperature
- Identify and troubleshoot problems—or pass the information to your plumber should you need tankless water heater repair
Gas Tankless vs. Electric Tankless Water Heaters
Electric Tankless Water Heaters
Tankless electric water heating systems work via a heat exchanger that contains copper coil heating elements. Electricity heats the copper coils, and that heat is transferred to the cold water as it passes through the heat exchanger. By the time the water exits the heat exchanger, it has been heated to the temperature set on the unit’s thermostat. Electric units are not always powerful enough to support a family but are great choices for guest houses or houses with less demand.
Non-Condensing Gas Tankless Water Heaters
A tankless gas water heater system works similarly to an electric system but with some extra components and steps. A tankless gas heater contains a burner that burns fuel to provide the energy needed to generate heat. This heats up the heat exchanger, which transfers its heat energy to the water as it passes through. Common fuel sources are natural gas from a gas line, or propane.
Gas-powered tankless heating units have some safety mechanisms to prevent unsafe gas buildups. They also have a venting system that safely vents toxic combustion gases outside.
Condensing Gas Tankless Water Heaters
These gas-powered tankless heaters trap the heat given off by combustion gases and use it to power a secondary heat exchanger. This improves the energy efficiency of the water heater, so it uses less energy and has lower operating costs.
Tankless Water Heater Trouble: Signs That You Need to Call a Plumber
While there are simple solutions to some tankless water heater problems—like the cold-water sandwich—if your tankless water heater truly needs repairs, it’s best to call a plumber for professional help. Look for these signs of trouble:
Water is lukewarm
This can indicate problems with flow rate but may also be a sign of heavy sediment inside the tankless unit. Tankless units need to be maintained annually to rid the unit of sediment buildup on the heat exchanger. This helps keep the unit from malfunctioning and wearing out earlier than it should.
Water is not heating
If the water isn’t heating at all, it may be an electrical issue somewhere in the heating system. If your water heater is gas-powered, it could be an ignition problem. In this case, it’s particularly important to call a professional, as it can be hazardous to attempt tankless water heater repair on a gas system.
Hot water pressure is low
If your hot water pressure is low, but the cold water is unaffected, the intake or outtake line may be clogged. These lines are narrow, so they are vulnerable to clogs caused by limescale and sediment.
Water heater shuts off
This can be an overloading issue relating to flow rate. It’s also a possible sign of sediment buildup in the tankless unit. Some systems have descalers built in to help in areas with hard water.
Let CW Service Pros Manage Your Tankless Water Heater Maintenance
Once your new tankless water heater is installed, it can supply you with endless hot water for many years to come. But to keep it in good condition, it does need regular annual maintenance. This includes tankless heater flushing to remove sediment, cleaning to remove limescale, and replacement of parts that are worn or broken.
Not every homeowner has the time or know-how to DIY these tasks – so why not leave it to the experts? Call CW Service Pros to have all your tankless water heater maintenance taken care of. Regular maintenance keeps your hot water system in good condition, so you can enjoy instant hot water every day.
Why Choose CW Service Pros for DFW Tankless Water Heater Services?
CW Service Pros has been in business since 1999. In that time, we’ve dedicated ourselves to providing the very best plumbing services to our local customers. In our 25+ years serving Lewisville, Plano, Flower Mound, and other nearby suburbs, we’ve worked hard to earn and keep your trust.
- We aim for same-day appointments
Call CW Service Pros in the morning, and we’ll do our best to see you the same day.
- 24/7 emergency service
If you have a plumbing emergency, we’re here for you any time.
- Quality brands
We only work with the best. Brands we carry include Rheem®, Rinnai®, and Noritz®.
- Professional and friendly
Our technicians are plumbing experts who also excel in customer service.
- Pricing is clear and up-front
You get a written estimate, with no hidden costs.
- Permits and inspections included
If your job requires an inspection or permit, we’ll take care of it.
- Financing flexibility
More flexibility for payment gives you more options.
- Satisfaction guaranteed
We work safely and cleanly while minimizing disruptions. If you’re not happy with our tankless water heater repair work, we’ll stay on the job until you are.
Does CW Service Pros Offer Financing for Tankless Water Heater Repair or Installation?
Flexible financing options can make life that little bit easier when it’s time to install a new water heater or when you need tankless water heater repair services.
CW Service Pros offers convenient monthly payment plans. These include low interest payment options, as well as several no-interest options. Check out our financing page to learn more, or call us to talk about your financing eligibility.
Can I Get Any Rebates or Tax Credits When I Purchase a Tankless Water Heater?
Yes, you may qualify for a rebate or tax credit for tankless water heater installation costs! Depending on what model you buy, a rebate or tax credit could put hundreds of dollars back in your pocket.
Check the Energy Star website for more information:
Click here to search for rebates on tankless units.
Click here for information about federal tax credits and incentives for energy efficiency.
The Best Tankless Water Heater Repair, Courtesy of CW Service Pros
When you have a hot water problem at home, you need a quick solution. The lack of hot water can cause chaos in a busy household, and we understand that our customers count on us to offer speedy solutions.
As a leading provider of tankless water heaters in the DFW area of North Texas, CW Service Pros is a leader when it comes to repair services, too. We have extensive industry experience and a strong commitment to excellence in plumbing and customer service. That combination makes us the best choice for tankless water heater repair in Lewisville and neighboring suburbs.