If you are thinking about replacing your standard storage type water heater with a larger capacity unit because you frequently run out of hot water, consider having a demand or tankless water heater installed instead. With a tankless water heater you never have to worry about running out of hot water and you save money on your energy bills by eliminating standby heat loss.
Standby heat loss is the main reason that storage type water heaters waste energy. These water heaters keep a tank of water hot around the clock whether it is needed or not. During periods of low demand such as at night or while you and your family are away at work or school, the water in the tank of a storage type water heater will lose heat and the water heater uses energy (gas or electricity) to keep the water heated to the desired temperature.
Then, during periods of high demand, a storage type water heater may not be able to keep up. Once the hot water runs out, it takes a long time for the water heater to heat up a full tank of water.
A tankless water heater solves both of these problems. It eliminates standby heat loss by only heating water when it is needed. When a hot water tap is turned on, cold water flows into the demand water heater where it is heated and then flows to the tap. This way, a tankless water heater delivers an endless supply of hot water as it is needed without wasting energy on keeping a tank of water hot.
Your local plumber can install a tankless water heater in your home to help you save money and energy for water heating and to ensure that you never run out of hot water again.
