Facts About Instantaneous Water Heaters

Instantaneous water heaters, or better known as, “tankless” water heaters, do not use a storage tank like most standard units. They are meant to deliver hot water on demand, or as needed, thus eliminating the need for a storage tank altogether.  In fact, they are also called “on demand” or “demand” water heaters. Tankless water heaters have a lot to offer residential and commercial property owners, and operate in a unique way to allow instantaneous hot water whenever requested.

Continue reading to learn how instantaneous water heaters work and who to call for installation and price-point information in your town.

Indianapolis Water Heater Service 317-784-1870
Indianapolis Water Heater Service 317-784-1870

On Demand Hot Water Heaters

On demand hot water heaters are known for their energy efficiency since they do not waste energy to heat water on the standby like most traditional models do. This not only reduces overall energy consumption, it can save money on monthly utility bills as well. Tankless units heat water in a direct way, as soon as it is requested; whether by faucet, washing machine, dishwasher, or other household appliance.

How It Works:

Cold water travels through a plumbing pipe and enters the unit. Then, a heating element (gas or electric) heats the water to the indicated temperature. Gas-powered units use a gas burner to heat water, while electric units use an electrical element to heat water.

It’s that simple!

With tankless water heaters, there is no waiting for a tank to fill with water, or running out of hot water. On demand water heaters provide a constant supply of hot water without wasting energy. However, the output does limit the units flow rate. Instantaneous hot water heaters generally provide hot water at a rate of 2 to 5 gallons per minute, but gas-powered units have a higher flow rate than electrical ones.

Either way, a tankless unit might limit a property’s ability to use multiple hot water appliances simultaneously. This means there might not be enough hot water to wash a load of whites while taking a shower upstairs. A common quick fix for this is to install two or more tankless water heaters in larger homes and homes with multiple occupants.

If you have questions about tankless water heaters, including sales and installation, call a licensed master plumber for accurate and reliable answers, as well as, trusted service. They retain the proper tools, training, experience, and knowledge to guide you in the right direction.

Who Can You Trust for Water Heater Service?

Call Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. at 317-784-1870 for free estimates, advice, and information regarding hot water heaters, anytime. Not only are we state-licensed master plumbers who specialize in water heater repair and service, we gladly provide recommendations and advice. Whether residential or commercial, we can provide all the water heater services you need. Call 317-784-1870 to get started.

What Master Plumber Mark Weilhammer Has to Say About Tankless Water Heaters

Did you call Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. recently to inquire about tankless water heaters? If so, allow me to apologize if I bruised your feelings by pointing out all the political hype, flaws, and half-truths about tankless water heaters. Complaints are very easy to find on the internet about tankless heaters, but if your mind is already made up about purchasing and installing one, I am more than capable of referring you to an appliance company that will gladly, without thinking twice, take around $4,000 of your hard-earned money.

Indianapolis Plumbing Repair 317-784-1870
Indianapolis Plumbing Repair 317-784-1870

The reality is, I have nothing to gain by providing you with this information that I’ve acquired throughout the 40 years of my hands-on experience in the plumbing and water heating industry. I simply wish to help you to make an informed decision without a single string attached.

My Motto: “Keeping things simple usually works out for the best.”

Don’t Fall For the Hype Without Educating Yourself

Remember to read all of the fine print with tankless heaters before purchasing one. You see, “going green” with a tankless heater basically reminds me of my solar water heater experience back the ‘80’s.   It’s the same marketed hype and half-truths on energy savings, “fuzzy math” on ROI, and promise of “energy tax credits”, all of which is designed to entice consumers to buy one. As for me, I will not fall for any of the hype, and I hope you do not either.

Don’t get me wrong; l love trees just as much as the next guy. But regardless of what the mass media and government say about “going green” with tankless water heating systems, you are not going to save money, let alone the planet for that matter, by opting for a tankless model.   

Want to Go Green? Put Your Efforts into Something More Viable

If you insist on becoming a more eco-friendly version of yourself, it is much wiser (and greener) to use your hard-earned money to invest it in better insulation or windows in your home. I guarantee that you will see a dramatic savings in doing these two upgrades, rather than wasting spending $4,000 or more on a tankless water heater.  

Call Me for Free Advice, Anytime!

Call me, Mark Weilhammer, owner and operator of Weilhammer Plumbing, at 317-784-1870 for free advice regarding water heater sales, installation, maintenance, repair, and replacement. I have more than 40 years of experience in the plumbing industry, and offer a wide range of water heater services for both commercial and residential properties, including free advice! Call me during regular office hours, or leave a message and I will return your call the following morning.

Should I Buy a Tankless Water Heater?

Are you in need a new water heater, but you are not sure which make or model to go with? If so, you are in the same position as thousands of other homeowners across the nation. Fortunately, modern innovations have made most hot water heaters more efficient and better performing. When it comes time for you to start perusing the market for a new unit, you will come by several make and model water heaters. From electric and gas, to propane, solar-powered, on demand, and even tankless. In fact, tankless water heaters are becoming more prominent among property owners, leading many consumers to ask themselves, “Should I buy one?” But in order to answer this question, it helps to ask yourself a series of others.

Continue reading to learn how to decide whether or not your home or property is well-suited for a tankless-style water heater.

Water Heaters Indianapolis Indiana
Water Heater Installation and Repair 317-784-1870

Tankless Water Heaters

What is a tankless water heater? Well, tankless water heaters go by many monikers, most commonly as “instantaneous” water heaters, but also as on-demand, inline, flash, and continuous flow water heaters. These models are designed without the traditional storage tank that holds water for the home. Instead of a water tank, tankless water heaters only heat up water when prompted by a faucet or appliance.

For this reason, tankless units are deemed highly Eco-friendly. Furthermore, they can save money on energy bills since less energy is used to keep stored water heated, like in conventional tank-style units. Also, since they lack the typical large tank, they save a lot of space, making them perfect for smaller residences, like apartments, condominiums, and dormitories.

Although a tankless water heater might take a few minutes longer to heat up water since it does not store it, you can have a recirculation pump installed to help increase the rate at which water travels through pipes and to its destination. Read our blog, “What is the Point of a Tankless Water Heater?” to learn more about how they work and why they are beneficial.

Is Tankless Right for You?

The best way to determine whether or not a tankless water heater is right for your home or property is to consult a licensed Indianapolis water heater technician for professional advice. You may also benefit from reading our series of blogs on water heaters. In the meantime, you can get a basic idea of the answer by asking yourself these 4 questions:

❶ Do I have several occupants or guests, thus posing a risk of running out of hot water?

❷ How much hot water is really used on a daily basis?

❸ Am I away for extended periods at a time?

❹ Do I have a limited amount of square footage?

If you answered “yes” to any of the four questions above, you very well may benefit from a tankless water heater. Again, talk to a licensed water heater professional for personalized advice to determine the best strategies for water heating. If you do decide on a tankless unit, be sure you also have a quality water conditioning system installed as well, such as a water softener. This is because tankless water heaters are highly sensitive to hard water damage. Read our blog, “Top 3 Reasons to Buy a Water Softener” to learn what you need to know about water conditioning.

Talk to a Pro Today!

Call Weilhammer Plumbing Company at 317-784-1870 when you need hot water heater repair and installation in Indianapolis, Indiana. Owner and master plumber, Mark Weilhammer, has more than 60 years of experience in the plumbing industry and offers a wide range of water heater services for commercial and residential properties, including free advice! Request free estimates or advice, today.

Rheem Water Heaters 317-784-1870
Rheem Water Heaters 317-784-1870