What are Demand Water Heaters?
On-demand water heaters, common in Japan and Europe, began appearing in the United States about 25 years ago. Unlike conventional tank water heaters that must maintain the 120-140°F temperature of water in the storage tank, tankless water heaters heat water only as it is used, or on demand. The unit is small and mounted on a wall along the water line near where the hot water is needed. A tankless unit has a heating device that is activated by the flow of water when a hot water valve is opened. Once activated, the heater delivers a constant supply of hot water. The output of the heater limits the rate of the heated water flow. Tankless water heaters are available in both gas and electric-powered models. Benefits and Drawbacks Tankless water heaters offer many advantages to commercial and industrial customers. They heat water only as it is needed, eliminating the need to use energy by constantly heating a tank full of hot water. The typical tankless unit is also compact and can be wall m
