The traditional method to heat water in a household is with a 40-60 gallon hot water
tank. The water would be filled in the tank and consistently heated. There are numerous
down-sides to this method. For example, the 40-60 gallon tank would constantly be
filled with water heated by fire. The energy used to heat the water requires a substantial
amount of power that could be better allocated to other areas of your West or North
Vancouver home. Furthermore, the water in the tank will always be heated regardless
of usage. So if one was to go on a long vacation, unless turned off, the tank will
continuously use energy to heat the water. Often people don't even realize that
there is in fact a switch that allows you to adjust the amount of power used to
heat the water according to winter or summer. As well, if quite a few people end
up using the heated hot water before the hot water tank can refill itself, then
a shortage of hot water would result.
The tankless water heater is a huge technological achievement. Odenza Homes is proud
to offer such an innovative technological breakthrough to all the homes we custom
build in Vancouver, particularly North and West Vancouver. Not only does it save
valuable space but it creates huge energy savings which ultimately benefits the
environment. Also known as instantaneous or on-demand water heaters, they are capable
of providing an instant, endless supply of hot water through an on-demand basis.
The system works when a flow sensor detects cold water entering the unit's heat
exchanger, a fan would provide combustion air and the controls fire the burner to
indirectly heat the water. The controls would adjust the burner output in proportion
to the amount of water flow to produce hot water at the set-point temperature.
There are two methods to heating the water with a tankless water heater. The first
method is gas-powered. This method relies on propane or natural gas. In order to
utilize this method a gas line needs to be connected to where the water heater is
installed. The second method is to heat the water is by way of electric power. The
water is heated as it passes through an electric element. In order to operate the
electric water heater it needs to be hardwired to the home's circuit breaker/electrical
panel.
Tankless water heaters are very efficient because they do not have standby losses
incurred by continuous use of energy to maintain water in a tank to set temperatures.
In terms of energy efficiency, the tankless water heaters are normally higher in
efficiency. Let's consider that the higher the energy factor, the more efficient
the heater; gas tankless water heaters range from around .78 to .85 compared with
.58 to .67 for conventional gas tank. Conventional electric tank water heaters have
an energy factor of .90 to .95 compared to .99 for electric tankless water heaters.
Furthermore, because there are no tanks to hold the water, the tankless water heaters
have a life span that is twice as long as traditional systems due to the lack of
rust and corrosion.
Positives:
Save on energy bills, in some cases it could save you up to 75%
Lower usage of water
Endless supply of instant hot water
No holding tank means you save valuable space
Lifespan of up to twice as long as conventional water heaters
Environmentally friendly and sustainable use of energy
