Electronic instantaneous water heaters (2024)

FAQs

Are electric instant hot water heaters worth it? ›

Switching to a tankless water heater can help you save on your energy costs, with potential savings of up to 50%, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Additionally, tankless water heaters are reported to be 24% to 34% more energy efficient than storage tank water heaters by the same source.

As we discussed above, the biggest downside of owning a Tankless Water Heater is its higher cost. The initial installation costs and the price of the unit are more expensive than a traditional Storage Tank Water Heater. Another downside of a Tankless Water Heater is that it has limited hot water.

Instantaneous hot water systems last longer. Their service life is typically 20+ years while conventional ones last for 10-15 years. An additional advantage is the low cost of replacing a tankless system when compared to storage hot water units.

The EPA estimates that a tankless water heater uses up to 34% less energy than a storage tank water heater if you use 41 gallons or less of hot water daily. If the household uses closer to 86 gallons of hot water a day a tankless water heater will be up to 14% more efficient.

The higher upfront costs, potential retrofitting requirements, limited efficiency, repair and maintenance challenges, bandwidth issues, delayed hot water delivery, and power outage concerns make tankless water heaters less favorable compared to traditional tanked heaters.

Although tank storage water heaters' upfront costs are less than tankless water heaters, they typically only last 10 to 15 years. While tankless water heaters have higher upfront costs to purchase and install initially, they require less maintenance and have a longer lifespan of 20 years.

Ignition Failure

Your tankless water heater can fail to ignite if the gas supply is inadequate. These heaters mostly use propane and you can make sure that there is adequate gas for the heater to operate. If you are not sure about the gas limits, then call an expert.

A tankless water heater can last anywhere from 15 to 20 years with proper maintenance and operation. In comparison, a standard tank water heater normally has a working life of 10 years or less. How Do Tankless Water Heaters Work?

Because tankless water heaters, even gas models, need electricity in order to run and regulate, if the power goes out, then so does your hot water. If you live in an area prone to outages, a tankless water heater may not be the best choice.

Is an instant water heater good for a shower? ›

Can I use an instant water heater for the shower? Since the rate of water flow in instant geysers is very high, it is recommended to not use it for shower baths. If you are having a bath using a bucket, it could be an option to go for instant geysers.

High Purchase and Installation Costs: The price of a tankless water heater can be a restrictive factor. Installing a tank-style water heater typically costs about $900, while the average cost to install a tankless water heater can exceed $3,000.

According to Energy.gov, “For homes that use 41 gallons or less of hot water daily, demand (or tankless) water heaters can be 24% to 34% more energy efficient than conventional storage tank water heaters.” Tankless water heaters (if gas-fired) will save homeowners over $100 annually the longer they remain in service.

Built with scale-reduction technology, both electric tankless and gas tankless whole-house water heaters perform with high efficiency and are built to serve a wide range of applications. A whole-house tankless water heater is built to provide continuous hot water whenever you need it.

On average, if a water dispenser uses a 120V outlet, it can eat up around 0.25 kWH over an 8-hour use or three watts when the machine is run for the day. On the other hand, a 240V plug expends approximately two watts, which equates to a total of around 0.17 kWH.

A tankless electric heater is generally cheaper than a propane tankless heater. It is important to keep in mind that electric tankless water heaters are generally 99%+ thermal efficient, whereas the efficiency rating of most gas tankless heaters, even the better quality units, range from about 80 to 85%.

Gas tankless water heaters operate most cost-effectively in areas with high power and hot water demands. In contrast, electric heaters use most cost-effectively in areas with low water demands and energy costs. They also might be better in more rural areas with limited infrastructure.

Tankless water heaters typically provide between 7.5 and 15 litres of hot water per minute. Smaller heaters can't supply multiple hot water applications at once. Need for multiple units. Some tankless hot water heaters service an entire home, but the flow rate may limit effectiveness in large, busy households.