Tankless water heaters, also called on-demand or instantaneous water heaters, work by rapidly heating water as it flows through the unit, so you get an endless supply of hot water instantly when you turn on the tap.
A tankless water heater, often referred to as on-demand or instantaneous, operates without the need for a storage tank unlike traditional heaters. Tankless water heaters avoid the need for storage tanks by heating water directly when you turn on the tap.
Tankless water heaters use electric or gas-powered coils to heat water. The unit’s sensors activate heating elements to rapidly heat and deliver water as soon as the tap is on. Turning on the hot water faucet prompts cold water to flow into the unit, instantly heating and supplying water.
Water passes over the unit’s coils, heating instantaneously to the desired temperature before reaching your tap.
A tankless system provides instantaneous heating and continuous hot water for as long as you need it, without the delays from tank storage. These systems typically have a lifespan of up to 20 years. Tankless hot water systems are often more energy efficient, especially during peak demand, potentially halving water heating expenses depending on your usage.
At Miranda Plumbing, call us for insights into how tankless water heaters work, including expert installation advice; we’re able to tailor options to suit the hot water requirements of your home.
Gas tankless water heaters and their electric hot water counterparts operate differently in how they heat the water. Gas electric water heater models utilise a gas burner that ignites to supply hot water as it experiences flow through, whereas electric models use resistance heating coils.
When choosing between gas and electric models, homeowners should consider access to gas lines, electrical system capacity, local energy prices, necessary flow rates, and installation factors. Gas tankless heaters typically provide quicker water heating with higher flow rates, whilst electric models are suitable for areas lacking natural gas infrastructure.
Tankless water heaters improve energy efficiency, with potential savings of 30-45%. Nevertheless, actual energy savings are influenced by local utility rates. An electric model may be economical in some locations where electricity is significantly cheaper than gas, sometimes by more than 30%.
At Miranda Plumbing, call us as we are experts in the supply and installation of all major brands of heater your home might need. Our team can do more than just advise; we’ll determine which type and size of storage tank water system would best suit the water needs of your home and budget.
When deciding on a tankless water heater, consider how many units your water system choice may involve: installing one large unit to supply the entire house or multiple smaller units at point-of-use locations.
Whole-house units, similar to those we install, are powerful and can manage the hot water needs from multiple outlets concurrently. Yet, they necessitate increased gas or electrical usage, larger units, and more space for proper installation. They may also be oversized for homes with a lower hot water use per minute, where the need to turn hot water on is less frequent.
Compact point-of-use models provide on-demand heating and are suitable for homes with dispersed hot water use.
Several smaller gas water heaters might offer a more cost-efficient solution, ensuring efficient hot water delivery. However, you might experience a shortage if your hot water demand surpasses the unit’s capacity to deliver.
When advising customers at Miranda Plumbing, we take careful measurements of water your home’s requirements to determine if a whole house water system or multiple point-of-use heaters is the best and most cost-effective setup.
Several compelling benefits of tankless designs emerge when considering how do tankless water heaters compare to conventional tank water heaters:
Tankless heaters exemplify efficiency by only activating to heat water upon demand, as opposed to maintaining a constantly heated water tank. This makes them up to 30% more energy efficient than storage tank heaters. An average household could see annual energy savings of $100-300 by opting for tankless over traditional tank water heaters.
With a continuous flow feature, tankless heaters ensure an uninterrupted hot water supply, eliminating concerns about running out. This convenience improves comfort and accessibility for households with high hot water demand.
Tankless models are more compact compared to traditional storage heaters, occupying less space. Wall-mounted models can fit nearly anywhere, while indoor/outdoor units work well for tighter spaces. Going tankless opens up home design options.
Tankless water heaters typically last over 20 years, outliving traditional tank models and providing instant hot water upon turning the tap. With no tank corrosion, your system remains efficient for decades. One tankless heater can outlast 2-3 conventional units.
At Miranda Plumbing, our tankless water heater installers can advise whether switching from your existing system makes sense based on your household’s needs and hot water usage.
Making the switch to a tankless water heater is a big decision. Here are some key factors to weigh up beforehand:
While they save costs over time, tankless heaters have a higher upfront cost, usually ranging from $1000-3000 for installation. Evaluate how much the initial cost will lead to a return on investment satisfactory during your ownership.
Tankless units often require dedicated electrical circuits or gas line upgrades to handle the high heating demands. Factor in upgrade expenses or determine if your existing supply is sufficient.
Consider your plumbing system’s suitability. Tankless operation depends on adequate water pressure and full-pipe water flow. Old galvanised piping may need replacement.
Get professional advice about whether a whole house or point-of-use tankless model meets your home’s hot water requirements. Units that are undersized for demand will lead to disappointment.
At Miranda Plumbing, our water heater your home installers conduct onsite evaluations of these key factors to determine optimal system sizing and installation requirements.
A licenced plumber with expertise in tankless systems is crucial to ensure the safe, high-performing installation of your heater.
For both gas water and electric tankless heaters, the unit will need to be mounted on a wall indoors, have sufficient clearance for ventilation, and meet electrical or gas capacity requirements. The tankless system can also be properly sized for your household’s hot water demand.
The tankless unit requires direct connections from both the cold water inlet and the hot water outlet pipes. New piping may be required if the existing pipes are too small. To maintain water pressure, recirculating pump systems are often installed.
Gas-driven models necessitate a direct gas line installation to meet their high energy requirements. Additionally, condensing tankless heaters require a drainage system to manage condensation.
At Miranda Plumbing, our professional technicians handle the entire installation process following all regulations and manufacturer instructions. We also offer ongoing maintenance to keep your tankless water heater operating safely and efficiently.
Regular maintenance, which can include annual flushing and routine inspections, helps tankless water heaters continue operating safely and efficiently over their long lifespan. Miranda Plumbing recommends the following upkeep tasks:
Annual professional flushing of your unit can prevent mineral scale from accumulating in the heat exchanger. We use vinegar or a scale removal product to dissolve any deposits.
Annual inspections check for correct gas pressure, electrical connections, and ventilation clearances. Regularly replacing filters safeguards internal parts from sediment-induced wear.
In hard water areas, an acid neutralising filter attached to your tankless inlet pipe can help reduce scale accumulation. For optimal performance, check and possibly replace the filter every 6 months.
Keep your investment performing optimally for over 20 years. Contact Miranda Plumbing to learn about our tankless water heater servicing packages.
When weighing up whether to switch to a tankless water heater, there are both short and long-term financial considerations.
In the short term, expect to invest around $1000-3000 upfront in purchasing and professionally installing a quality tankless unit correctly sized for your home. You may also need to budget for necessary gas line or electrical upgrades beforehand.
Over the long run, tankless models offer the benefit of significantly lower energy bills thanks to superior efficiency. An average household can save $100-300 per year on water heating costs after switching. Spread over a 20+ year lifespan, those savings really add up.
Of course, the convenience of never running out of continuous hot water on demand is a comfort that’s hard to put a price on too. Contact our team at Miranda Plumbing to schedule a consultation where we can evaluate if switching tankless makes good financial sense for your household.
Cleaning a gas stove can be tricky, but with a few household items you likely already have on hand it can be simple. Use vinegar, baking soda and dish soap to break down grease and make it look new again. For really tough stains, create a paste. Call Miranda Plumbing if you need help.
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Read MoreIf your hot water system is over 8-10 years old, it’s likely time to upgrade to a more energy efficient model for better performance, lower energy bills and government rebates. Contact our experts at Miranda Plumbing to help determine if upgrading your hot water system is right for you.
Read MoreMiranda, 2228 NSW
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