Table Of Contents
If you are searching for a water heater to meet your household’s hot water needs, you will realise that there are several options to choose from in the market. The ideal system for you ultimately depends on several factors, including your preference, budget, hot water needs, and available house space.
Among the many options available, the most popular water heater among many Australians is undoubtedly an instant hot water system, also referred to as a tankless water heater. Many people prefer instant electric or gas hot water systems owing to their energy efficiency and the fact that they take up a small space.
This article looks at how instant hot water systems work, their benefits and limitations, and gives you some maintenance tips to improve their efficiency. This information will assist you in making an informed choice on whether these systems are an ideal option for you.
What Is An Instant Hot Water System?
An instant hot water system is a water heater with a high heating rate and limited storage capacity, ranging from around one to three litres. It does not require a storage tank as it instantly heats water as needed.
When you turn on the hot water tap, the cold water moves through a pipe into the heating unit, where the heating element heats it. This is the reason they offer a constant supply of hot water. Unlike conventional or storage tank water heaters, you don’t have to wait for your water to heat.
Why Invest In An Instant Hot Water System?
Before investing in an instant hot water system, it’s essential to look into the benefits you will enjoy to help you decide whether it is a good investment. Here are some significant benefits of investing in instant hot water heaters.
They are energy efficient
One of the most significant benefits of instant hot water systems is their energy efficiency. Installing an instant water heater will help reduce your monthly utility bills because they use less energy than conventional hot water heaters. These heaters provide hot water without utilising a lot of energy.
A traditional hot water system can heat a tank of around 130 to 220 litres of water regardless of the amount of water you need for your specific use. This means that if you only require ten litres of hot water to wash your dishes, a conventional heater will waste a lot of energy as it heats the whole tank.
On the other hand, an instantaneous hot water system only heats the amount you require at any given time. Consequently, it does not waste energy heating excess water that you don’t need.
Additionally, the working mechanisms of instantaneous hot water systems allow you to save time since they heat water quickly. They can heat a stream of water as you require.
Save on space
An instant hot water system saves a lot of space in your house. This is one of the most appealing features, which makes these heaters popular among many homeowners in Australia. An instant water heater is the best option if you have a small house. This is because they do not have a bulky storage tank that occupies unnecessary space in your home, unlike their traditional counterparts.
Their small size also makes remodelling easier since you don’t have to deal with bulky appliances during the process. This also makes the remodelling job less costly since less work is involved.
Improved safety
The safety of your home is a critical consideration when investing in hot water systems. Instantaneous water heaters are safer than conventional hot water heaters. Traditional heaters could potentially overheat and even explode as they heat large quantities of water at once. In contrast, tankless water heaters hold little water, reducing the risks of explosion or overheating.
Additionally, leaks from a storage-tank water heater could cause massive damage to your home. Instant water heaters are, however, less likely to experience leaks, and in the event of a leak, it doesn’t cause severe water damage to your property.
Offer design flexibility
Another notable benefit of a tankless water heater is its flexibility where installation is concerned. To put it into context, you could opt to have one heater installed to serve your entire home or opt for multiple points of use, which you could install at strategic locations in your house.
A multiple-point-of-use water heater is an excellent option if you have several spots that require different hot water consumption, for instance, a kitchen faucet and two bathrooms in a small apartment.
They are durable
A tankless water heater lasts longer than a storage-tank water heater. The former could last for approximately twenty years or more, while the conventional ones have a lifespan of about ten to fifteen years. Instant hot water systems might seem expensive because of the upfront cost; however, considering their longevity, they become a worthwhile investment in the long run.
Disadvantages Of Instant Hot Water Systems
As seen above, instantaneous hot water systems guarantee high-level heating capabilities, among other benefits. However, they also have some limitations. Below are some of the disadvantages to know about before making a purchase.
High upfront cost
Tankless hot water systems have a higher upfront cost than their traditional counterparts. Installing a tankless water heater could cost you twice as much as it would to install a storage-tank water heater. However, as mentioned before, they have a longer life expectancy which will, in turn, eventually offset these high costs.
Cannot store hot water
Instant hot water systems do not feature a tank, meaning they cannot store hot water. This means that they cannot store hot water for future use. This particular feature makes them an inconvenient option, primarily if you reside in an area that experiences frequent power disruptions. In contrast, with a conventional storage-tank water heater, you can store hot water to use during such disruptions.
Lag time
When you start an instant hot water system, you might have to wait for a few seconds for the water to attain the desired temperatures.
The Working Mechanism of Instant Water Heaters
Now that you are aware of both the pros and cons of investing in an instant hot water system, it’s time to dive into its working mechanism. This will give you a sound understanding of how these systems work. Tankless water heaters work differently from conventional heaters and, thus, have different components.
First and foremost, instant water heaters don’t hold water in a tank. They only heat water when it is needed, for instance, when a hot water tap or shower is turned on. Instead of heating water all night or day, the heater remains on standby until hot water is required.
A burner located within the heater ignites when the system signals a requirement for hot water. The cold water moves through an aluminium heat exchanger and directly heats the water. When you shut off the hot water, your water system switches to standby mode.
These heaters also feature a vent for exhausting any gas produced outside the house. To help you better understand the working mechanism of instant water heaters, the steps involved during the water heating process are outlined below:
Step One: Turn on the hot water tap
First, you should turn on the hot water tap to allow the water to flow through the pipes. If your tap has a single knob, you must turn it towards the hot water. On the other hand, if it has dual knobs, you need to locate the hot water knob (typically has a red mark and could have the word ‘HOT’ written on it) and turn it to allow hot water to flow.
Step Two: Cold water enters the water heater
When you turn on the hot water tap, cold water moves through the system’s sensors, triggering its internal computer, which starts the heating process. In contrast, in tank water heaters, cold water is heated and moves from the tank through your pipes.
Step Three: The water flow sensor senses the water flow
When the internal computer is triggered, it calculates how hot the burners need to be to heat your water to the stipulated temperature. This could happen with an electrical element or a gas hot water burner. Regardless of the mechanism, the heater provides you with a constant hot water flow without waiting for a tank to fill.
Step Four: Internal computer ignites the burner automatically
Once the burner starts heating, the cold water circulates your system’s heat exchanger until it attains a specific temperature. The water then flows from the heater and starts moving through your pipes until it reaches its designated tap. A tankless water heater allows for an endless stream of hot water.
Once you have turned off the hot water tap, the heater automatically switches to standby mode. Consequently, it stops using energy, thus allowing you to save on your monthly utility bills.
Maintaining Your Instant Hot Water System
For your instant water heater to continue working effectively for a long time, it’s essential to observe proper maintenance standards. Below are some tips on how to maintain your instantaneous hot water system:
Clean the air filter
Your instant heater requires a fresh air supply to continue working correctly. This is why it features an air filter similar to your air conditioner. Tankless water heaters do not necessarily have similar designs, and the filters might not be located in the same spot.
Check the air inlet pipe or turn to the user manual to locate the air filter. Once you find it, remove and rinse it with soapy water and ensure it’s dry before reinstalling.
Clean the water filter
Tankless water heaters feature a water filter that effectively traps large sediments emanating from your water supply. If the sediment builds up on the filter, it can restrict the functionality of your water heater. The water filter is found near the inlet for cold water. Simply remove it and rinse it under water to remove the sediment.
Clean the dirt trap
The dirt trap is located under the water heater, as are other connections. It doesn’t feature a filter but a trap for debris in your heater. Clean it with water, and before you replace it, ensure to properly fit the O-ring to the trap.
Flush the system
It’s advisable to flush your instant hot water system at least once a year. However, it’s advisable to do it more often if you reside in an area with hard water. When you use the heater, sediment and mineral deposits collect inside your system and damage your heating element. This build-up, in turn, reduces the system’s efficiency and causes it to use more energy.
To flush the heater, you require a submersible water pump, white distilled vinegar, a bucket, and a garden hose with the correct fittings. Below are steps to follow when flushing your tankless heater.
- Turn off the gas shut-off valve or flick the circuit breaker to the ‘off’ position if you have an electric system.
- Then, remove the access panel or cover by removing the screws holding it in place.
- Proceed to turn off the main water supply and release pressure from your water system through the pressure-release valves.
- Next, connect one section of the hose to the inlet side of the water heater where cold water enters your water system.
- Connect the submersible pump to the other side of the inlet hose and submerge it in the bucket containing a mixture of vinegar and water. Ensure the pump is plugged in.
- Connect the outlet hose to the hot water outlet of your water heater and run it to the bucket. This ensures that you clean out the heater and avoid contaminating the entire water system on your property.
- Then, turn the pump on when everything is connected and let the water run for around an hour. The mixture will work through the unit and remove the sediment or mineral build-up from your system.
- Now flush the system for five minutes using clean water to remove the vinegar solution.
- Finally, reconnect everything when you’re done. Remove the hoses, shut off the pump and reconnect the original outlet and inlet hoses.
Need Professional Instant Hot Water Services?
Considering the high upfront costs involved in installing an instant hot water system, you definitely want it to serve you for many years. Like any other type of hot water system, you should have it maintained regularly to boost its performance. It’s crucial to hire a professional plumber in your locality to install, inspect and maintain your system.
An expert will also help diagnose any issue detected during an inspection or otherwise and offer the proper repairs as they understand the working mechanism of your instant gas or electric water heater. Thus, they can detect any problem and provide the right solutions fast. Look for an experienced and certified plumber near you for the best instant hot water system services.
