What is An Instant Water Heater?

The instantaneous water heater differs from the cumulus or hot water tank in that it has no tank. This feature earned him the name of a tankless water heater. Indeed, this device provides hot water on demand. Thus, the opening of the hot water valve causes a movement of water detected by a sensor that activates the burner or the resistance of the water heater according to the model installed. Whatever the device chose, the instant water heater is characterized by its compact size saving space. It is for this reason that its use is frequent in motorhomes and on boats.

The instantaneous gas water heater

The gas instant water heater is one of the tankless appliances available on the market. There are two models: the instantaneous water heater and the instantaneous bath heater. The first allows supplying hot water only one water point, including a sink, without the need for connection to a vent. However, its limited capacity does not allow it to supply a significant amount (more than 50 liters) of hot water. For its part, the bath heater is indicated for water points requiring a large flow of hot water.

The high-end appliances are equipped with a pipe drawing fresh air outside to supply the burner and another duct discharging the gas from combustion to the outside. The risk of carbon monoxide poisoning is almost zero. Gas appliances are also equipped with a safety group to prevent their explosion in case of decompression. The gas instantaneous water heater, however, has some disadvantages to take into account. If its use is possible in the kitchen, it is prohibited in rooms, bathrooms, living rooms and rooms supplied with fresh air by a single mouth of VMC.

The electric instant water heater

The instantaneous electric water heater is another option to have hot water at all times. There are different models differentiating between them by their power. Your choice should be guided not only by your needs but also by your electrical installation. In fact, appliances with a power of less than 7.3 kW can easily be connected to a single-phase mains socket. On the other hand, more powerful electric water heaters (more than 7.5 kW) require a three-phase plug. The power of the device, however, depends on the water source to feed. For example, a 4.5 kW model is enough to power the bathroom sink while a 7.3 kW appliance is recommended for the washbasin and shower. For the kitchen sink, a 5.5 kW model is more than enough.

Although the instantaneous electric water heater is more powerful than a cumulus, it will save you up to 30% on your hot water bill. It is also easy to install, but for optimum efficiency, the distance between the unit and the water point should not exceed 8 meters. In addition, it does not require any maintenance. The electric instantaneous water heater, however, has some disadvantages, including increasing the power of the meter. Indeed, you will need a 32 A meter if you want to install a 7.3 kW instantaneous water heater. On the other hand, you will have to close the other faucets to avoid the cold shower due to the low flow of hot water.

如何选择最好的热水器？

Whether tank or tank-less, a water heater can have an instant impact on your house’s cost and comfort. If you wish to buy or replace an existing water heater, the size, type, and efficiency of a unit you select will be important to consider. Heating is the number two largest single consumer of energy in homes. While it’s good to take a soothing bath, take your time when choosing the various options available.

Types of hot water heaters

Storage tank

This is the most common instant water heater unit used in homes. The water is heated in a storage tank using natural gas, coal, oil or electricity. This happens when a faucet is turned on to heat the water in the tank.

Tank-less water heater

This is also called demand or instant water heater. Water is instantly heated by electricity or gas when it flows through the gadget without the need for a storage tank.

Solar

Water in a tank passes through a solar collector where the sun heats it. If it does not reach the required temperature, a conventional shower water heater is used to further heat water to the desired temperature.

Heat pump

They use electric power to circulate heat from one to another. They can be used for instant water heating alone or combined with other air conditioning units in your home.

Tips on choosing a hot water heater

The right water heater for your home will be determined by the price and installation of the system among other factors like Energy Factor ratings, available energy sources and state regulations.

The Energy Factor rating is a US department of energy regulation that compares the efficiency of different products. The higher the Energy Factor rating, the more efficient the water heater. This factor takes into account:

1. Recovery Efficiency, which measures how efficient is the heat applied to the water.

2. Standby Loss that measures the amount of heat lost each hour when applied to the water.

3. Cycling Loss that establishes the heat loss as water passes through the system.

4. Always choose an instant water heater with an appropriate first-hour rating by establishing your house energy consumption.

5.Try to reduce the length of piping runs to your room whether kitchen or bathroom.

To know how long it would take to return your investment back, divide the extra cost of the energy efficient unit by your annual savings in energy. You will get the number of years it will take the water heater unit to pay for itself. Added cost/annual saved energy equals years to payback. It’s also advisable to work with a plumber or an expert when buying a new instant water heater.