The second highest usage of energy for Canadians is heating water – first is space heating. Finding ways to reduce hot water energy use can therefore be an important part of an overall plan to reduce household energy costs.
Most water used in Canadian homes is heated in a traditional water heater tank. These tanks are always using energy, even when hot water is not being used. This is because they need to maintain the temperature of the water sitting in the tank so it is ready to use at any time.
Tankless water heaters use high inputs of gas or electricity to instantaneously heat water, rather than storing hot water for long periods of time, such as in traditional hot water tanks. Because they don’t need to keep the water warm even when it’s not in use, high-efficiency tankless water heaters can reduce the amount of energy you use to heat your water by as much as 40 percent or more, helping you cut down on your monthly utility bills. In addition to saving energy, tankless water heaters can also lower greenhouse gas emissions and reduce the consumption of non-renewable resources.
A tankless water heater is a space saver because they are much more compact than a hot water tank. They can also be affixed to a wall in many cases, saving additional floor space. However, you still need to make sure you have enough space available to safely hang your tankless system and service and maintain it. If you’re buying a fuel-fired model, you’ll also need to make sure that you have the space available to safely run a venting system outdoors to an acceptable location.
Just like traditional tank models, tankless heaters come in various sizes for different capacities. Proper sizing is an important consideration. To make sure your heater can supply all the hot water your family needs, purchase a unit that has a heating capacity enough for your entire household. If you purchase an undersized unit or if your hot water needs increase, try using timers or set the delay function on your appliances to avoid overlapping demands. Also, if your home uses natural gas or propane, you may need larger gas pipes to accommodate the higher gas flows needed by the heater.
Tankless hot water systems can also save water. The closer you place the system to your faucets, the less you’ll have to run the water to enjoy hot water. With traditional hot water tanks, you have to wait for the water to move through the pipes from the tank to the faucet.
Making sure you get a model that is the right size for you home will have a major impact as will installing it in the right location. Try to locate your new tankless heater as close as possible to the bathroom, kitchen or other areas where you expect to use the most hot water.
Call Mckinnon Heating and Cooling today to talk with a professional about going tankless. We service the Greater Toronto Area as well as surrounding areas like Markham, Vaughan, Etobicoke, and Ajax.