Tankless Electric Water Heaters: What You Need to Know

Warm water is an integral part of many of our lives.

Drinking warm water can help improve one’s health in many ways. Some of the benefits of drinking warm water include having the potential to promote weight loss, improve circulation, and eliminate toxins in the body.

Research also shows that taking warm showers or baths help to lower blood sugar and pressure, relieve muscle tension and improve overall blood circulation. These are just some of the many benefits of what warm water can bring about to an individual’s everyday life.

Therefore, it’s no surprise that numerous individuals have invested in installing water heaters in their homes in the past decade. The global market value for water heaters has continually increased, reaching more than US$42 billion (₱2 trillion) last year. And with the rapid urbanization of many parts of the world, the market for water heaters is expected to continue increasing significantly.

There are different water heater types available in the market, offering different solutions, features, and experiences to consumers. Among them, tankless electric water heaters are becoming a top investment for consumers due to their many advantages.

Also known as on-demand or instant water heaters, tankless electric water heaters are the opposite of traditional water heating appliances. As its name indicates, tankless electric water heaters provide on-demand hot water when switched on during showers. The water will enter the heat exchanger in the water heater unit, and then an electric element will heat the water. Through this process, tankless electric water heaters are able to provide users with a consistent flow of warm water whenever needed.

Advantages of Having a Tankless Water Heater

It’s always important to make an informed decision about your household appliances. With that being said, below are 5 advantages of investing in a tankless electric water heater for your home.

1. On-demand Supply of Warm Water

    

   One of the benefits of using a tankless electric water heater is the unlimited supply of warm water it provides on-demand. As long as the water usage does not exceed the maximum flow rate, tankless electric water heaters can steadily deliver an endless heated water supply to users whenever needed at a simple turn of a knob or touch of a finger.

   

2. Compact Size to Save More Space

    

   Another key advantage of having tankless electric water heaters is its small size as compared to storage-type water heaters. Tankless water heaters are usually measured at around 27 inches tall and 18 inches wide, making them ideal and compact enough to be mounted onto walls, in a bathroom or in a kitchen closet. This is exceptionally beneficial for individuals who do not own large properties or have other space constraints.

   

    

3. Better Energy Efficiency and Lower Bills

    

   Unlike storage-type water heaters that work around the clock to keep the water warm in the storage tank, tankless electric water heaters do not store any water in its unit and only operate whenever consumers want to shower with warm water. This means that tankless electric water heaters do not have stand-by heat loss – which is the main cause of the storage-type units’ higher energy costs. The electric coils in a tankless electric water heater can warm the water in just a matter of seconds, making it more efficient than traditional water heating systems. Thus, users are able to enjoy better energy efficiency with tankless electric water heaters and lower bills in the long run.

   

4. Less Susceptible to Leaks and Water Damage

   One of the significant risks of owning traditional storage-type water heaters is that, over time, there will be a build-up of minerals from the water inside the tank. If not maintained well, this can cause corrosion to the tank, which will lead to leaks and water damage to other parts of the heating system. In addition, most storage water heaters contain a temperature and pressure valve which can be clogged by the minerals and sediments from the water.

   On the other hand, tankless electric water heaters do not maintain a water supply in its unit, this means that there is less possibility of mineral build-up inside the unit – making it less susceptible to leaks and water damage. However, it is still strongly advised to have both tankless electric water heater units and storage-type water heaters checked and maintained annually to ensure the best health and functionality of the water heater.

   

5. Longer Lifespan

   Lastly, another benefit of switching to tankless electric water heaters is the potentially longer lifespan of the appliance. If maintained properly, tankless water heaters have the potential lifespan of approximately 20 years. This is about twice or even thrice the lifespan of storage-type water heaters, which is approximately 8 to 12 years.

   With a longer lifespan, users are able to enjoy more savings as their water heaters would require less frequent replacements.

   

 Things to Note About Tankless Electric Water Heaters

While tankless electric water heaters bring about many benefits, there are still a few things to note about these appliances if you are considering purchasing these tankless electric water heaters or if you’re planning to switch from a storage-type water heater to a tankless electric water heater.

1. Upfront Cost

   One important thing to take note of when purchasing a tankless electric water heater is that they usually have a high upfront cost for the unit and installation process. Purchasing a tankless water heater and installing it can cost homeowners a hefty amount due to the special wiring that needs to be installed.

   Although installation costs may add up, it’s still important, strongly advised, and worthwhile to always consult and hire a professional installation provider or service for your water heaters to ensure that the appliance is properly and safely installed in your home.

   

2. The Cold Water Sandwich

   When using tankless electric water heaters, there may be a possibility of a ‘Cold Water Sandwich’ situation occurring. This is when users experience a surge of hot water, followed by cold water, before the water temperature switches back to hot water when taking a shower. This situation arises when users turn their tankless electric water heating appliance on and off quickly, resulting in the unit halting the heating of the water that passes through it. While this may not cause significant issues, it is still something to take note of when using a tankless electric water heater.

   

3. Flow Rate Restrictions

   Because of flow rate restrictions, it’s always recommended to check the flow rate when shopping for tankless electric water heaters. The flow rate is often measured by gallons per minute (GPM). When the GPM is higher, users are able to enjoy more warm water during their showers. It’s essential to know which parts of the house need to have a heated water supply to better determine the appropriate size of the tankless electric water heater to purchase.

   

4. Hot Water is Subject to Electricity Supply

   Tankless electric water heaters require electricity to operate. Thus, with power outages, this means that the tankless electric water heater unit will not be able to deliver warm water. For areas that experience many blackouts, there may be issues when using a tankless electric water heater. In this case, it may be better to consider investing in storage-type water heaters instead as it would be able to store warm water in its tank and provide warm water for showers even during power outages.

   

Are Tankless Water Heaters for You?  

From the above points, we can see the different benefits that tankless water heaters can provide. However, there are still some factors to take into consideration when switching from a storage water heater to a tankless water heater as shown above as well.

If you are considering purchasing a tankless water heater, it’s always important to do proper research on the product and to understand the product features to ensure that the appliance is able to cater to your unique needs.

If you are looking for tankless water heaters, why not consider Rheem? Rheem is at the forefront of developing reliable, durable and intuitive tankless water heaters that helps to elevate your shower experience.

Learn more about our Classic Tankless Electric Water Heaters, click here: https://www.rheemphilippines.com/product/professional-classic-tankless-electric-water-heaters.