How Do Propane Tankless Water Heaters Work?

If we asked you to imagine a water heater in your mind’s eye, you would probably think of a big, bulky metal cylinder that takes up a big chunk of your basement.

But what if that water heater could also be the size of a small suitcase and mounted to a wall, saving space while producing a nearly unlimited supply of hot water?

It can if you choose a propane tankless water heater.

Here’s how tankless hot water heaters work:

• When you need hot water, turn on the faucet or appliance just as you would with a conventional water heater.
• When cold water runs through a pipe in the water heater, it activates a gas-powered heating element.
• The heating element instantly warms all the water you need rather than drawing it from a storage tank.
• The heating element will continue to warm the water until you close the hot water faucet or appliance, which also shuts the gas burner.

Tankless water heaters are extremely efficient for two reasons: first, they never have to reheat water, as a water heater with a tank does after its water has been sitting in your cold basement for hours. Tankless water heaters also save energy by using electronic ignitions rather than a constantly -running pilot light.

While it costs more to install a tankless water heater than it does to install a conventional model, tankless water heaters are still a smart investment in the long run: overall, they’ll cut energy consumption by 30 percent or more while providing a limitless supply of hot water. They also last almost twice as long as a conventional water heater – almost 20 years on average, compared to 12 for tanked systems.

Looking to install a propane tankless water heater in Western MA? We can help! Contact FSi Oil and Propane today for a FREE estimate on a Rinnai propane tankless water heater installation today!