Tankless Water Heaters & Water Conservation
You might have heard about people going tankless, and many of these people talking about the benefits from it. Saving energy and on energy bills has made this a top choice for plenty of buyers. Wherever you are and whatever you do, it can help in that area. That is its major selling point – but there is something else to think about here. Water conservation is important, too, of course. So how do tankless water heaters work in this area?
Not Just Design
The design of the heater is the most important part of water conservation. Before going into the design, because it is something that changes from heater to heater, there is something to keep in mind. Tankless water heaters have a constant argument against them that makes people think they are contributing to water waste. It is how they can influence the actions and choices of consumers, making them more likely to overuse water and create waste.
This is something that you might see often when looking into tankless heaters and water conservation. A built-in buffer tank will eliminate the wait time for hot water and eliminate the waste water down the drain while you wait for it to get hot.
When there is a constantly available stream of hot water, people are more likely to shower for longer periods. They will not have to worry about temperature drop, making the shower uncomfortable. Since tankless water heaters produce a continuous stream of hot water, made hot when you need it rather than ahead of time, you will not have to worry about the water going cold. You can take longer showers or keep the water running and it stays hot – no matter what. This can lead to water wastage as people become accustomed to having hot water at any time.
This is not a definite or constant in these situations.
While it can affect personal choices and use, that is a person-by-person situation. Not every person will begin wasting water because it is hot. This is not a strict mark against tankless water heaters, but it is something to remember. It can influence behavior and potentially lead to water wastage.
It does not happen in every situation, but there is the potential for it to happen.
Do Not Fret. Tankless Is Here!
Regardless of the person, the design is what affects waste ultimately. The thing to keep in mind is that tankless water heaters change depending on installation and type. For most modern installations and types, they have a design focusing on conserving both energy and water. Manufacturers, the government, and the people behind technological developments have continued to find new ways to use and improve tankless water heaters.
As a way to conserve energy and water, these developments turn modern water heaters into powerful options.
This is why you have to look at every part of the water heater. A tankless water heater can use less or the same amount of water as a tank-type heater – producing equal or less water waste. Some, and certain installations, may change this. They may lead to greater water wastage than intended or desired. Speak to the installer at length and know what you install.
For the most part, the modern and common tankless water heaters work with sustainability in mind. They are trusted, reliable options for keeping your water conservation efforts alive. You just have to make sure that you choose one known to limit water waste.
A big part of all of this is education and knowledge. This is true of water conservation as a whole, but more so when making any purchase like this. You want to know how water heaters can waste water and you want to know what yours is doing to stop that. The core of water conservation is creating an efficient system for warming and delivering water, and tankless water heaters can meet that demand.
A knowledgeable installer will ensure the correct product is specified for your application.