Propane Tankless Water Heaters Explained
If we asked you to describe a water heater, you might say it looks a lot like a giant tin can. Of course, what you would be describing is the storage tank for the water heater. The unit that heats the water is just a small burner, located at the bottom of the tank. That, along with some parts inside the tank itself, is more correctly what the hot water heater is – or, at least, what many of us know it to be.
But what if we told you that not all hot water heaters need to store hot water?
Here are some benefits of tankless water heaters you should know:
It’s true. Some hot water heaters simply heat water on-demand, accessing water directly from a water pipe. Such units are called tankless water heaters. Generally fueled by propane, a tankless water heater is a great way to lower your energy bills and make the process of heating water much more efficient in the process.
Additionally, they take up such a small space that you will actually be able to reclaim all that square footage your old water heater was taking up. Most tankless units hang on a wall and are about the size of a small suitcase and, maybe best of all, they will last about twice as long as a standard storage tank water heater.
How does a tankless water heater work?
Your old tank water heater heats water and stores it for when you need it. This is not an ideal situation as the tank will definitely lose heat over time, especially if the hot water tank is located in an unheated space.
Now, consider a tankless hot water heater: when you turn on your hot water faucets or an appliance, water is circulated through a heat exchanger and delivered on-demand. Your energy efficiency will improve up to 40 percent and you’ll have access to unlimited amounts of hot water – because you won’t have to worry about the tank draining and having to refill and reheat.
And while it’s true that a tankless propane water heater has a higher upfront cost than a traditional storage tank water heater, you can save a lot of money on your water heating bills. That certainly adds up over time.
Are you wondering if a propane tankless heater is the right choice for you? Reach out to your local propane provider today for expert advice.