Instant Hot Water Heater Electric Units - Energy Efficient, Cost Effective! 

Instant Hot Water Heater-Electric  - How Good Are They?

Instant hot water heater electric is a convenient and economical way to obtain your household requirement of hot water. Also called 'tankless' or 'demand type' the electrically operated ones are the popular variant of the gas hot water heaters. The electrical appliance is a relatively less complex device compared to the other conventional varieties.

Whether electric or otherwise, instant hot water heaters-electric show distinct advantages over the conventional tank type water heaters. For example:

1. Tankless water heaters provide hot water when and where it is specifically required. The wastefully heated hot water and stand by energy losses are totally eliminated.

2. The recommended location of installation for an instantaneous water heater is as close as possible to the point of usage, which may be the kitchen sink, the dishwasher, the shower in the bathroom or near the laundry room. Due to the close proximity, the thermal energy losses in plumbing work are minimized unlike in a centralized tank type unit.

3. At the point of usage electricity is highly energy efficient. At the point of use nearly 100% of it is converted to heat in the heater elements. However, electricity, when generated through fossil fuel burning, it is neither environmentally friendly nor efficient as a process.

4. Though at face value, a gas fired demand water heater seems to be more energy efficient by providing a higher flow rate when compared to an electrical heater unit, it is not so when you consider the fuel wasted in the constantly burning gas pilot light in the gas fired demand water heater.

5. All demand electric hot water heaters are better suited to supplement the hot water supply of Solar thermal panels, the instant hot water heater- electric being more so.

How does the instant hot water heater-electric work?

When a hot water tap or a valve is turned on the cold water starts running in the plumbing to the tankless electric heater. A water flow sensor sends a signal to the microprocessor type controller which determines the water demand, temperature, input/output temperature difference, etc. and allows the required hot water to flow where it is needed. There is no sudden fluctuation in the flow rate, hot water temperature, occurrence of scalding or cold water shocks.

Being electric, the heater element provides the required heat output instantaneously to the water and shuts-off when not needed.

A major draw back, however, is the electric instant water heater's thermal output which typically limits the flow rate to about 2-5 gallons/minute. In contrast gas fired instant water heaters provide a higher flow rate. However, in a large household you will find these capacities too are stretched beyond the limit if several high water demand appliances are switched on simultaneously.

Possible solutions adopted by the electric instant hot water heater installers are the inter coupling of several units in parallel (if it is a centralized installation) or using individual hot water heaters for every point of usage.

Before you decide on an instant hot water heater-electric, it is advisable to consider the following carefully:
 
1. They are pricey compared to a conventional tank type unit. But you may find that the savings on running and energy cost may offset your initial extra expenditure.

2. The smaller size may better suit your application and home layout than a large centralized conventional storage heater. This might also minimize heat losses in the pipe and vessel insulation.

3. The availability of a steady power supply in comparison to other types of fuels.

4. Estimated cost.

5. Energy efficiency.

6. Ease of maintenance.

Generally an instant hot water heater-electric, has a life expectancy over 15 years. Careful maintenance with uncomplicated and readily available spare parts will extend this over 5 more years easily. In comparison a storage tank type heater will not last over 15 years without complications. So, in general, a demand type tankless water heater is a worth while consideration for your household hot water needs.