Look Inside a Tankless Water Heater To See How They Work

Standard water heaters are bulky and prone to corrosion, and they can run out of hot water when demand exceeds the capacity of the tank (often in the middle of your shower, giving you a chilly surprise).

An excellent alternative for many homes is a tankless water heater. These compact devices can offer a virtually unlimited supply of hot water along with significant energy savings in a much smaller package. Keep reading to see each tankless water heater component in this diagram-style breakdown of how they work — or schedule tankless water heater service with our team today.

Tankless Water Heater Maintenance

Tankless Water Heater Components: How They Deliver Hot Water

Tankless water heaters can be powered by natural gas, propane, or electricity, and each fuel type relies on different tankless water heater components to generate heat. The heat source warms the water through a heat exchanger, which is a series of pipes coiled or folded and often lined with fins to provide the largest possible surface area to absorb heat from the flames or heating element.

Key Tankless Water Heater Components Explained

This diagram highlights each core tankless water heater component and shows how they work together the moment a hot water faucet is turned on:

• A flow sensor detects that a faucet has been turned on when water starts flowing into the water heater. A flow-regulating water valve controls the amount of water that can flow through the heat exchanger.
• Acting on the signal from the flow sensor, the control board inside the tankless water heater turns on the heat source. In an electric water heater, the heating element — one of the most important tankless water heater components — switches on. In a gas tankless water heater, the induction fan is switched on, pulling in combustion air, then the gas valve is opened, and the burner is ignited. Large amounts of energy are used for a short time to heat the water as quickly as possible.
• The water passes through a mixing valve, where small amounts of cold water can be added if the water is too hot.
• A temperature sensor monitors the water as it exits the heat exchanger and mixing valve, allowing the control board to adjust the flow rate, heat input, and amounts of cold water added at the mixing valve for the ideal hot water temperature.
• Once the ideal temperature is reached, the hot water exits the water heater and is sent to the faucets. In gas models, any gases left from the combustion process are expelled through the exhaust vent.
• When all the hot water faucets have been closed, the control board will shut down the heat source, turn off any fans, and put the water heater into a standby mode that minimizes energy use.

Do you live in the Carbon County, PA area and want to enjoy on-demand hot water? Call Team Andreas to install, repair, or schedule tankless water heater maintenance for your system! Check out our money-saving specials to see how you can save.

How a Tankless Water Heater Saves Energy

Although a tankless water heater can use large amounts of energy while actively heating water, it uses virtually no energy in standby mode. Conventional water heaters have a large tank that stores the hot water, and to keep the water at the proper temperature, the heat source is continuously cycled on and off, whether the hot water is being used or not. Because the heating element inside a tankless system only activates on demand, it avoids the standby losses that tank-style heaters create.

By eliminating these standby losses, a tankless water heater can significantly reduce your energy costs. However, some of those savings can be lost if the virtually unlimited supply of hot water leads to greater hot water use overall.

Schedule Tankless Water Heater Maintenance

Tankless Water Heater Installation & Maintenance in Carbon County, PA

Are you considering a tankless water heater for your home in Carbon County or the surrounding areas? Talk to our expert plumbers at Andreas Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning. We can help you determine if a conventional or tankless water heater is the best choice for your home, and we can recommend the models that will best fit your needs. Explore our full tankless water heater service offerings, including installation, repair, and ongoing maintenance, to keep every component running efficiently for years to come.

We are a family-owned company that prides itself on honesty, integrity, and professionalism, and we offer tankless water heater installation, water heater repairs, and more in and around Carbon County.

Call Team Andreas today at (610)870-9136 or contact us online to request a quote for tankless water heater installation or maintenance.