The Pros and Cons of an Instantaneous Electric Water Heater
If you want instant hot water at your fingertips, an electric tankless system is the way to go. However, you must take into account the pros and cons of this type of system before installing one in your home.
With no storage tank, electric instantaneous systems cannot keep a reserve of hot water for later use. As a result, temperatures can fluctuate during heavy demands.
Energy efficiency
With electric instantaneous water heaters, you don’t have to worry about running out of hot water. The system heats up the water as soon as you turn on a tap, within seconds.
This ensures that you can always enjoy a constant flow of hot water for all your household needs, even during peak times when electricity prices are higher. Electric continuous flow systems are also energy efficient, which is why they’re an alternative to traditional storage tank models that can use up a lot of electricity during standby.
Electric instantaneous water heaters have a high power rating that can be adapted to your household’s requirements. Their compact design makes them a great solution for space-saving in homes with minimal hot water requirements. They can be mounted on a wall or tucked away under sinks and don’t require large tanks like traditional storage heaters.
An electric instantaneous water heater’s energy efficiency is defined by its UEF (Uniform Energy Factor) value, which takes into account the maximum temperature rise of the unit and a standard test cycle. It is recommended that you look for a model with a higher UEF rating, which will help save on your electricity bill in the kitchen water heater long run. You can further optimise its energy efficiency by using it with green electricity.
Space-saving
The moment you open your tap, the water goes through a flow sensor and then comes into contact with a heating element. This warms the water and it flows out through your tap, all within seconds. This process is repeated every time you use your hot water. The result is an endless supply of hot water, at a predetermined temperature level that you set.
In contrast, a storage tank heater loses heat all the time (check out the ‘standing heat loss’ figures for any model). A modern electric instantaneous water heater has a much smaller footprint and takes up less space in your home than a conventional tank system. It also eliminates the risk of running out of hot water or needing to keep a large amount of water in storage.
Electric instantaneous water electric boiler water heater heaters are also energy efficient. They only use power when they are in demand, and so are more energy efficient than storage models. They also produce fewer greenhouse gases.
For even greater efficiency, the Stiebel Eltron compact DCE-X Premium instantaneous water heater features smart energy management functions. This includes a water usage display and two memory keys for saving your favourite temperature settings. It also uses a high-tech inlet water valve that reduces the energy consumption of the appliance by up to 30%.
Safety
Compared to storage water heaters, which require an energy demand to reheat the water, an electric instantaneous hot water system only uses electricity when it’s being used. This means that it consumes far less energy, which is good news for your energy bill and the environment.
Another advantage of instantaneous water heaters is that they heat up the water as soon as it flows through the device. This translates to limitless supply of hot water without the energy losses associated with traditional storage water heaters, which constantly lose heat and can even lead to higher electricity consumption when they’re not in use.
Since these systems are designed to produce domestic hot water on-demand, they can be installed in any room of your home. However, they should be placed as close to the water main as possible so that they can react quickly and minimize heat loss in the piping.
Additionally, if your water heater is a gas model and requires venting, make sure that the existing venting system is properly sealed to prevent the release of air or gases. You should also regularly test the temperature/pressure relief valve to ensure that it is working correctly. It should rise when you open it and drop when you close it to protect against excess temperatures or pressure. If you’re not qualified to install or service your instantaneous water heater, it’s best to engage a professional plumber to perform these tasks for you.
Maintenance
Tankless water heaters heat water on demand, as opposed to holding and constantly heating a large amount of water like conventional water heaters. This reduces standby energy loss and ensures you have immediate access to hot water. However, like other appliances and systems in your home, your tankless water heater requires routine maintenance to maintain peak performance.
One important part of this maintenance is cleaning the anode rod and temperature release valve on gas or electric water heaters. This ensures that sediment and rock doesn’t corrode your water heater or clog the pressure relief valve. If this happens, your water heater could explode.
To clean your anode rod, turn off the gas or power to your water heater, and open a hot-water tap anywhere in your house. This releases the system pressure, and allows you to drain some water from your water heater. Then, use a garden hose to churn the remaining sediment. Continue until clear water comes out of the hose. Once the sediment is removed, close the drain valve and restart your water heater.
Another simple maintenance task is to insulate the top of your water heater. Many people don’t do this, but it’s a great way to save money on your water bill. It’s best to cover the area around your tank unless the user manual says otherwise, as this will keep dust from accumulating. You should also wipe down the area around your tank once a month to prevent build-up of mineral deposits.
