After a long, hard day, nothing’s better than a nice hot shower to wash away the stress and help you relax, and the last thing you want is to have to suffer through a cold or lukewarm shower because your water heater has run out of hot water. Fortunately, there’s a great way to ensure this doesn’t happen: installing a tankless water heater. These types of water heaters are able to provide a virtually endless supply of hot water whenever it’s needed. Keep reading to learn why your tankless water heater will never run out of hot water. 

Tankless Water Heaters Don’t Have to Store Water

Traditional water heaters have tanks that store the hot water to be used later. Of course, this supply of hot water runs out when the tank is empty, and it takes time for the tank to refill before it can heat more water. By contrast, a tankless water heater doesn’t store hot water. Instead, it takes cold water directly from the water supply line and heats it when you turn on the tap, giving you immediate access to hot water at the exact time you need it. A natural gas or propane tankless water heater produces hot water on demand by using gas burners, while an electric tankless water heater uses an electric heating element to heat water rapidly. Both types are able to supply an almost limitless supply of hot water.

A Tankless Water Heater Can Be Overwhelmed

Because they don’t store water, tankless water heaters can’t run out of water as long as the water supply isn’t interrupted. However, it’s possible for a tankless water heater to be overwhelmed when demand is too great. For example, if your family is running three hot showers, the dishwasher, and the washing machine at the same time, your hot water system could get overwhelmed. You may not lose hot water, but you’ll most likely lose energy efficiency.

Your tankless water heater is sized for a specific flow rate, which is the amount of hot water being requested at the same time. The average tankless water heater system supplies 2–5 gallons of hot water per minute, and turning on a large number of faucets simultaneously could exceed this flow rate. 

To avoid this issue, work with professionals who can calculate the supply and demand of your home by determining how much hot water your family typically uses at once and help you select the size of tankless water heater that can handle that amount while maintaining optimal energy efficiency. Professional tankless water heater installers can ensure you have the right size and type of tankless water heater that will provide a continuous supply of hot water for all your family’s needs.

When you’re ready to have a tankless water heater installed in your home, call on the experienced pros from Arnett’s Water Systems, the tankless water heater specialists San Diego homeowners trust for high-quality water system products and exceptional service at a reasonable price. Call one of our friendly team members today at (619) 223-1209 to learn how a tankless water heater can be the perfect choice for you and your family.