Eliminate Cold Showers With An On Demand Water Heater
Like all modern homes, your house has a water heating system. It's likely that you don't put much thought into how this system functions. In fact, you turn on the tap and hot water comes out on demand. That is, until it doesn't. There is nothing more aggravating than having your shower go cold with shampoo still in your hair. Using an on demand water heater can not only eliminate this problem, but save you money on your power bills as well.
A typical electric or propane water heater works by filling a holding tank with cold water from your plumbing system. The tank then heats the entire tank full of water to the desired temperature. As you use the water, more cold water is added in, until the tank is again triggered to reheat. You probably notice that when you shower, the water doesn't go directly from very hot to cold. Rather it slowly cools as the available hot water is used up and diluted with added cold. Of course, this process is going on whether or not you are actually using the water. The tank will naturally cool throughout the day even without use, making it quite inefficient.
An on demand water heater eliminates these problems, as the water is only heated as needed. The water is heated based upon how much is flowing through the system. Therefore, if you are running several large appliances, the water you receive will be a bit cooler, but will still be consistent. When you are choosing what heater is right for you, take into account what your normal water usage is. You may want to install several smaller units instead of a larger one. Some people put in an under sink unit or 120 volt mini in places like the bathroom or kitchen, where much of the hot water is needed. You may also find this to be cheaper and more efficient than a larger whole house unit.
There are many manufacturers of on demand water heaters. Some of these are Bosch, Camp Chef, Triton and Coleman. When choosing an efficient heater, it will probably be a bit more expensive up front. However, you will recoup those costs in energy savings. Pay attention to how you use your water when deciding. Also, you may find that you want to choose several smaller units rather than a larger one that covers your entire house. By choosing a more efficient heater, you can eliminate ever having to finish your shower with cold water again.
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