We're In Your
Neighborhood Agoura
Bell Canyon
Calabasas
Canoga Park
Chatsworth
Conejo Valley
Encino
Granada Hills
Hidden Hills
Newbury Park
North Hills
Northridge
Oak Park
Porter Ranch
Reseda
San Fernando Valley
Simi Valley
Tarzana
Thousand Oaks
West Hills
Westlake Village
Winnetka
Woodland Hills
Paster Plumbing.
We know tankless water heaters inside out.
Here's a list of the 20 most popular questions we get about tankless water heaters.
Q1: How does a tankless water heater work? A: Let's take the cover off and look
inside. A tankless water heater consists of five basic parts: gas burner,
microprocessor (computer), sensors, electrical connections, and heat
exchanger.
Tankless Hot Water In 4 Basic Steps Step 1: You turn on a hot water device.
(A hot water device is anything in your house that uses hot water. For
example, your shower, tub, washing machine, dishwasher, and so on). Tankless
water heaters heat water only when you need it. When you turn on a hot
water device in your house the water begins to flow. Your tankless unit
has a sensor that detects the water flow to the unit and tells the computer
that you want hot water.
Step 2: The sensors talk to the microprocessor
(computer).
The sensor
automatically ignites the gas burner. It also calculates the precise
power output, the desired temperature setting, and the flow rate. Then
the water flows across the heat exchanger and is sent to your hot water
device. As the water flow changes, a thermostat controls the burner to
ensure a constant temperature is maintained. The start-up process takes
about five seconds.
Step 3: Cold Water In. Hot Water Out.
Cold water comes into the tankless unit, circulates through the heat
exchanger (it takes a few seconds) and exists the unit at the desired
temperature. Remember that the hot water will reach your hot water
device based on the physical distance between the tankless unit and
the hot water device. The longer it has to travel, the longer it takes
to get there.
Step 4: Tankless Unit Shuts Off.
When you turn off the hot water device, the unit automatically shuts
off. As soon as the flow sensor detects that water has stopped flowing
the microprocessor shuts down the burner. The big benefit: When hot
water is not being demanded, absolutely no gas is being consumed. TOP OF PAGE
Q2: What kinds of safety features do tankless units have? A. Tankless units have automatic thermal switches that turn off the unit
if the water output reaches a predetermined temperature. TOP OF PAGE
Q3: What's the advantage of a digital control
panel? A: Tankless units can protect children and the elderly from scalding
accidents by using a digital control pad like the one pictured below.
Some models come with this kind of control pad that you mount at the
hot
water device location. For example, if you want your bathtub water to
be exactly 120 degrees, you simply go to your bathtub, adjust the temperature
on the control pad and set it to 120 degrees. The result:
you'll have 120 degree water coming into your bathtub—from the
first drop to the last drop—all at precisely 120 degrees.
Q4: Can I mount a tankless water heater
outdoors? A: Yes. Tankless water heaters can be mounted inside your house or on
an exterior wall near your gas meter. The unit can be placed in a recessed
box or flush-mounted to the exterior of your home. TOP OF PAGE
Q5: I've never heard of a "tankless water
heater."
Is tankless technology proven?
A: Tankless water heaters have been used in Europe, Asia, and South America
for more than 75 years. Tankless are popular in these areas because tankless
units are so efficient compared to tank water heaters.
There are millions of tankless water heaters in use throughout the world. TOP OF PAGE
Q6: Who makes tankless water heaters? A: Some of the world's largest water heating manufactures like Rheem,
Rannai, Bradford White, Bosch, Noritz, and Takagi. TOP OF PAGE
Q7: Why are tank water heaters so inefficient? A: Because tank units use so much energy—24 hours a day, 7 days
a week. Tank water technology hasn't really changed since the early 1870s.
Imagine looking at a tank water heater while it's working. When you
use a hot water device—a shower, tub, washing machine—your
tank water heater does two things at the same time:
1. It sends hot water to the hot water device; and
2. It replaces the hot water you just took out of the tank with cold
water——lowering the overall water temperature in the tank.
This triggers the heating unit to draw more energy to reheat the water
up to the
set temperature.
A tank water heater cycles on and off 24 hours
a day, 7 days a week to keep hot water in the tank. A tank unit cycles cycling on and off
whether you’re using hot water or not. So it uses a lot of energy
just to keep the 30 or 50 gallons of water hot. If you are like most
people, your house uses hot water for about an hour per day. Yet, a tank
water heater keeps the water 24 hours a day.
A tank water heater wastes energy. To make the hot water supply last,
a tank water heater heats water up to 140 degrees. So you use cold water
to cool it down. With a tankless you set a temperature, let's say 120
degrees, and you have the perfect temperature without wasting energy.
Furthermore, since a tankless water heater has no refresh rate (it is
heating the water as you need it.), there is no need to overheat the
water to 140F (or higher) as with a conventional tank. You can select
an output temperature that matches your actually needs (usually about
105F). This also saves considerable energy. TOP OF PAGE
Q8: Why are tankless units so efficient? A: With a tankless water heater it only uses energy when you turn on
a hot water device in your house—the tankless water heater flash
heats the water and sends it to the device. The result: you only use
energy when
you use a hot water device.
How much can you save? It depends. It depends on the size of the tankless
water heater, what size storage tank you have on your tank water heater
now. Having a system that eliminates the storage and heats water only
as you use it can dramatically reduce your energy
consumption.
In general, the bigger the house, the more
the savings. Efficiency
is higher than most tank type water heaters because standby losses are
virtually eliminated. Energy usage can be decreased by 10-20 percent
compared to a conventional water heater. TOP OF PAGE
Q9: Can I use a tankless to boost a hybrid hot
water system? A: Yes. This is useful when using a solar water heater for preheating
the inlet water. When you connect a tankless water heater to the outlet
of a solar system the tankless water heater only has to raise the water temperature
a few degrees depending on the amount of solar gain that day. TOP OF PAGE
Q10: How much money can I save in operating
costs? A: A lot. Tankless water heater can reduce your energy bills from about
20 to 50 percent based on a number of factors like: how much hot water
you use per day, the layout of your house, and so on.
Here's how you’ll save. A tankless water heater uses less energy
than a tank water heater. A tankless only uses energy when you turn on
a hot water device, while a tank cycles on and off 24 hours a day to
keep the tank at a specific temperature.
First, let’s take a look at your current
tank water heater.
The Big Tank. Imagine looking at a tank water heater as it's working.
When you use a hot water device—a shower, tub, washing machine—your
tank water heater does two things at the same time:
1. It sends hot water to the hot water device; and
2. It replaces the hot water you just took out of the tank with cold
water—lowering the overall water temperature in the tank. This
triggers
the heating unit to draw more energy to reheat the water up to the
set temperature.
> A tank water heater cycles on and off 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week to keep hot water in the tank. It’s cycling on and off whether
you’re using hot water or not. So it uses a lot of energy just
to keep the 30 or 50 gallons of water hot. If you are like most people,
your house uses hot water for about an hour per day. Yet, a tank water
heater keeps the water 24 hours a day.
> Wastes energy. To make the hot water supply last, a tank water
heater heats water up to 140 degrees. So you use cold water to cool it
down. With a tankless you set a temperature, let's say 120 degrees, and
you
have the perfect temperature without wasting energy. Furthermore, since
a tankless water heater has no refresh rate (it is heating the water
as you need it.), there is no need to overheat the water to 130 or 140F
(or higher) as with a conventional tank. You can select an output temperature
that matches your actually needs (usually about 105F). This also saves
considerable energy.
Now, let’s look at a tankless water heater.
With a tankless water heater it only uses energy when you turn on a hot
water device in your house—the tankless water heater flash heats
the water and sends it to the device. The result: you only use energy
when you use a hot water device.
How much can you save? It depends. It depends on the size of the tankless
water heater, what size storage tank you have on your tank water heater
now. Having a system that eliminates the storage and heats water only
as you use it can dramatically reduce your energy consumption.
In general, the bigger the house, the more the savings. Efficiency
is higher than most tank type water heaters because standby losses are
virtually
eliminated. Energy usage can be decreased by 10-20 percent compared to
a conventional water heater. With natural gas cost currently at $1.20
per therm of gas, the estimated operating costs for a 50-gallon gas tank
heater is over $400 per year. TOP OF PAGE
Q11: Do I get a tax credit? A: Yes. Tankless provide a $300 federal tax credit when you buy the unit
as well as Southern California Gas incentives. Not only will you save
every month on your energy bills, but you'll also receive a one-time
$300 income tax credit on your federal taxes. Tankless water heaters
qualify for the Residential Energy Tax Credit with a cap of $300.
To qualify for the income tax credit you must:
1. Purchase the qualified units no earlier than January 1, 2006, and
no later than December 31, 2007.
2. Buy a tankless water heater with an Energy Factor of .80 or greater.
3. The home must be occupied by a taxpayer as their principal residence
at the time the equipment is installed.
> Southern California Gas Company incentive programs.
The Southern California Gas Company has an incentive
program for tankless water heaters. The following
information is quoted from SCGS. TOP OF PAGE
Q12: Does it cost more to install a tankless
water heater than a tank water heater?
A: It costs about twice as much to install a tankless water heater,
but when you look at the installation costs of a tank versus a tankless
they're about the same over
the lifetime of the unit.
This is based on the fact that a tank water heater lasts about six years
and a tankless lasts about 18 years. A tankless can last 2 to 3 times
longer than a tank unit because there is no tank to rust, crack, or leak
and no anode rod to replace. So you'd have to buy 2 or 3 tank units,
have them installed, to last as long as one tankless.
Plus, you get government rebates (up to $300 for qualifying units), utility
incentives, and lower operating costs—about 20% to 50%. TOP OF PAGE
Q13: I've heard that a tankless unit maintains
its efficiency over the lifetime of the unit? How is that possible?
A: It's because a tankless doesn't use a storage tank—so minerals
and other interior parts don't bake onto them. TOP OF PAGE
This is an important issue: Tank water heaters loose their efficiency
over time because the minerals in the water build up inside the tank.
And, then these minerals are baked onto the interior components of the
water heater—elements, side walls, and so on. So as every month
goes by, the tank water heater looses its efficiency. But, because the
tankless does not store water in a tank, the efficiency of the unit over
its lifetime stays at same level it left the factory with.
Q14: How much interior space can I save by
using a tankless water heater? A: Depending on the size of your current tank water heater—up to
16 square feet. Tankless water heaters can be mounted indoors or outdoors.
They vary in size, but a good rough guide is it’s about the size
of a piece of carry on luggage. If you have your tank water heater indoors
it can take up to 16 square feet. A tankless frees up this space
for additional closet
space. TOP OF PAGE
Q15: I've heard that a tankless has some
kind of scalding protection" features.
What does this mean?
A: Kids and senior citizens are the ones who usually have some sort of
scalding accidents—the water temperature is too high and they don't
react to it. A tankless can come with a digital control pad installed
separately from the wall-mounted heating unit. This way you can have
a digital control pad near the tub or shower and set it at a precise
temperature. TOP OF PAGE
Q16: What's an automatic fill feature? A: Some tankless units have a feature called auto fill. For a tub, it
sets to fill at a pre-set temperature automatically. For a shower,
it sets the
temperature of the shower at a pre-set temperature. TOP OF PAGE
Q17: I have a hard time filling my big whirlpool
tub with hot water. How can a tankless help?
A: Yes. This is where a tankless water heater really shines. Let's
say you have a 50-gallon hot water tank and you're trying to fill up
a 75-gallon whirlpool tub. By the time you put in the first 50 gallons
you've emptied out the hot water tank. Remember, that as you are filling
the tub the hot water heater is putting in cold water to refill the tank.
The result: you can't fill up the tub with enough hot water. TOP OF PAGE
Q18: How do tankless water heaters help the
environment? A: Every time you buy a water heater you're making a decision that affects
the environment and your health. When you properly install a tankless
water heater you'll use less energy, use less water, reduce pollution,
reduce global warming, and make your local landfill happy.
>Reduce energy consumption and its environmental impacts. The energy
you use to heat your water comes from a variety of sources: coal, natural
gas, and nuclear power. So when you use less energy using a tankless
water heater you'll make a positive environmental impact in the following
ways:
> reduce harmful waste bi-products
> reduce expensive remediation costs
> reduce the depletion of the natural resource base, and
> reduce wildlife habitat loss and biodiversity threats.
> Reduce pollution. What's so important of a pilot light? Pilot
lights are
a very dirty source of pollution and pilot lights are polluting 24 hours
a day, 7 days a week. That's why organizations like the Southern Californian
Air Resources Board are pushing so hard for tankless water heaters—reducing
pollution by eliminating millions of standing pilot lights in Los Angeles.
> Reduce CO and Nox emissions.
Some tankless models receive approval for low emissions (CO, Nox).
> Tankless water heaters are recyclable. Tankless units are almost
entirely recyclable. The materials in a tankless are very different than
a tank water heater.
> Tankless water heaters don't end up in
a landfill. Every
year more than 7 million used tank water heaters are taken to landfills
in the United States. A tankless water heater is, for the most part,
recyclable, so they don't end up in your local landfill. It is estimated
that if people replaced
their tank units with tankless there would be a savings of millions of
gallons of oil a year, millions of gallons of propane, and billions of
kilowatt-hours. TOP OF PAGE
Q19: What's a hot water "flow rate?" A: Tankless water heaters are rated by the maximum temperature rise possible
at a given flow rate. Therefore, to size a tankless water heater your
Paster Plumbing technician will determine the flow rate and
the temperature rise you'll need for your house.
To give you an idea, take a look at some typical
flow rates for a typical house (in gallons per minute) we've listed
below. The capacity of a water
heater is measured by how many degrees it increases water temperature
at a given flow, usually expressed in gallons per minute (gpm).
> Bathroom Faucet (.75 to 2.5)
> Bathtub (4.0 to 5.0)
> Low Flow Showerheads (1.2 to 2.0)
> Non-Low Flow Showerheads 2.5 to 3.5)
> Multi Shower Heads (2.5 to 12)
> Kitchen Sink (1.5)
> Dishwasher (1.0 to 2.0)
> Clothes Washers (1.0 to 2.0)
Your mileage may vary. Remember, these numbers are averages and may
not accurately reflect your actual usage because of water pressure differences,
appliance and hot water fixture efficiencies. TOP OF PAGE
Q20: What are the residential and commercial
applications
for tankless water heaters? A: Tankless water heaters can be effective anywhere a tank water heater
system is used. In addition, tankless units can be used where tank
units are impractical. Applications include:
> single family homes
> multifamily homes
> restaurants
> hotels
> schools
> business
> industrial applications TOP OF PAGE
Paster Plumbing.
We know tankless water heaters inside out. Our technicians are factory trained by some of the largest tankless
water heater manufacturers in the industry. We service most major tankless
water heater manufacturers like: Rannai, Bradford White, Takagi, Noritz, and
others. If you don't see your manufacturer listed call us for details.
Thank you for the opportunity to earn your
business. To schedule a service, give us a call at:
818-888-9091
805-495-0205
