Tankless Water Heaters - Our 2 Cents.
Tankless water heaters can provide an unlimited supply of hot water, are small, and can provide energy savings over storage type water heaters.
They are also expensive, can be expensive to install, and generally provide low temperature rises at high flow rates. The low temperature rise can be overcome with an appropriately sized tankless heater or plumbing two or more units together.
If your primary concern is saving energy, then be careful. Often the temptation of "limitless" hot water can lead to a total energy bill larger than with a conventional water heater. If you get a gas unit be sure it does not have a standing pilot.
If your primary goal is to save water or to speed up the delivery of hot water to a fixture that is located a long distance from the water heater, consider the alternative of a demand type hot water system such as the Chilipepper Appliance.
Press a button and a pump speeds hot water to the fixture from the water heater without running any water down the drain. When the hot water arrives at the sink the pump shuts off, preventing hot water from filling the cold water line.
Hot water arrives more quickly than by running the tap, and a lot of water is saved in the process.
If your are installing a "Whole House" type tankless water heater, then for any long runs consider a demand type hot water pump. The activation of the pump creates enough flow to start the tankless heater.
Visit the water heater page of the Chilipepper Appliance website where you can find all kinds of information about water heaters and water heating systems including the Chilipepper hot water appliance.
Information provided by:
Bill Lund
Tech Staff
techstaff@chilipepperapp.com
The Chilipepper Hot Water Appliance
http://www.chilipepperapp.com
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