What is Hot Water on Demand? The term ‘hot water on demand’ is a description for a water heating system which is tankless. In the system, the only moving part is the small propeller that switches on the heating element when a change in water flow is detected. And once that change is detected, it is just mere seconds for the instant hot water to come out of the outlet. Being able to provide hot water on demand is the feature that sets it apart from a normal water heating tank. What follows is a quick review on why hot water on demand is gaining popularity.

As the system only heats hot water as and when it is needed, hard water is not an issue as it can be in water storage tanks. Most of the manufacturers say that these systems are maintenance free. You would be advised to make sure that the manufacturer has some type of help line in case you feel there is a problem.

Also, there is no tank for the water to be stored in. This means there are no problems of a leaking tank due to corrosion and the water will never run out.

However, you will need to make sure to find the right size system to suit the demands of your household. This is because the speed and the amount of hot water produced can differ depending on the time of year. The water will heat up quicker in the warmer months than it will in the colder months,

An on demand water system heater is proved to be very economical when compared to a traditional water heating system.

It will cost more to install a hot water on demand heater into a house, more than a traditional tank. But the cost is offset by the lower heating bills.

Before you purchase one of these systems, it is always worth finding out as much as you can but if you and your household use a lot of hot water on a regular basis, then this way of heating water should suit you.

Trouble With The Water Heater Thermocouple If you are getting no hot water from your tank, the first thing to naturally think is going to be a huge problem with the water tank. However, this may not be as big a deal as that. Check the pilot light and see if it is alight. If it is not, can you light it? If it does light, will it stay lit? If this is a similar problem to what you are experiencing, then it could be a problem with the water heater thermocouple.

Would you know how to indentify the thermocouple? Well it resembles a copper wire appearing out from the control box which is located at the front face of the water heater and it leads down in the direction of where the pilot light usually is. At the pilot light end, the tip of the thermocouple should be enlarged.

What usually happens is that the heat given from the pilot flame will create a small electrical pulse which is forwarded over to the control valve. This tells the control valve that the flame is alight and it is fine to allow gas to flow through to the burners when the thermostat needs the heat.

The thermocouple on many of todays water heaters can be purchased from many electrical outlets or home improvement stores. At the moment, the average cost of a thermocouple is approximately $20. Maybe a little more or less but about that figure.

When replacing the thermocouple, be sure that the end which is placed into the pilot light is the bulb (enlarged) end.

Hot Water With Propane The reasons are plenty why some householders are now opting to use a propane hot water heater. One of the best reasons is the running costs. A lot of homes with a propane hot water heater do not have the multiple fuel options open to many of us and propane is a fuel that can be used in many places to heat water. Usually, propane hot water heaters are normally 30% less expensive to operate in comparison to an electric hot water heater. Also, the recovery rate of the propane heater is two times faster. And there is an array if choices for installation as they come in many sizes.

And propane hot water heaters do not need as large a space as others. These types of heaters can be operated in a small space and this is why many rv owners use them. They are also capable of producing instant hot water on demand which is a good feature to help save money.

Research has shown that about one fifth of the cost to heat the water is wasted when trying to keep the water at the right temperature when it is not being used. By using a tankless system powered by propane, the water is heated on demand and only when needed, thus cutting the water heating costs.

Some state that one draw back to the tank less system is that although the hot water is instant, it will only produce up to 7 gallons per minute. A tank system is capable of providing 2 – 3 times as much as that.

But this is offset as a propane hot water heater is capable is that it is quicker at heating larger volumes of water. 40 gallons to 50 gallons of water heated by electric would take about 60 minutes to heat but a propane water heater could heat the same amount in half the time.

Repalcing A Water Heater Thermostat You can imagine the scene. A man comes home from a hard day at work and is looking forward to a nice long soak in his bath tub. He gets himself ready and begins to run the bath water……only to find that the water is stone cold! It could be the water heater, that would be his first thought as his mind is troubleshooting the situation but it could also be the water heater thermostat. Changing the water heater thermostat may be the key and replacing it may not be as difficult as you think.

To begin with, the access panel will need to be removed to allow for the checking of the thermostats on the water heater. If you have an electric water heater, it will be fitted with an upper and lower thermostat which will allow the heater to control the upper heating element and the lower heating element. In this situation, both thermostats will need to be checked.

Before going any further, be sure to turn off the power at the main fuse box or circuit panel to the water heater. Then it is a case of disconnecting the wiring which you can see on the thermostat terminals.

Next, hold the thermostat and unscrew to remove it from its mounting. Now you have the thermostat in your hand, you can take it to one of the many home maintenance or electrical stores so you can match it for a new one.

To put on the new water heater thermostat, simply screw it on to the mounting and reconnect the wires. If you have two thermostats, repeat the process.

Unscrew the thermostat from its mounting, and remove. Replace thermostat with one of the same size and model you can purchase from any home improvement store or electrical supply outlet. Screw onto mounting, and connect wires to the terminals.

Put the access panel back onto the water heater and then put the power back on at the circuit or fuse box.

If needed, make adjustments to the water heater thermostats by following the instructions which came with the new thermostat.

Then all that is needed is to test it to make sure that normal service is resumed and hot water is flowing once more.

Hot Water With No Waste Instant hot water is one of the newer modern day advances in technology that is highly welcomed. It is revolutionizing the way we heat our water, much like the way the microwave oven changed the way we heat our food. It is all about convenience but it also helps cuts back on wasted water as we no longer need to run the water first and wait until it is warm. No more fresh water down the plug hole!

This also means that less energy is used because if there is no wasted water, every single drop that has needed energy to be heated is used.

So what is the best way to achieve instant or almost instant hot water without wasting energy and higher fuel bills? A normal water heater system may not be the best way. It is true than you can get hot water quickly from the traditional water heating system but a lot of energy is needed to achieve this.

With the newer instant hot water heaters, a much smaller pump is at the heart of the system and that uses a great deal less energy to run compared to the whole traditional circulating system. Although the workings of the instant hot water heater are smaller, they still work to give instantaneous and on demand hot water. These systems can be powered by gas, electric, propane or similar.

The traditional heating system is similar to a large radiator. This means that hot water is always radiating out of the water pipes. This is lost heat which more energy is needed to constantly reheat the water.

The instant hot water heaters have a small pump that swing into action when you press a button for hot water. The pump will boost hot water through the pipes from the storage tank and when it reaches the outlet, the water is instantly hot. Any unused water left in the pipe is returned to the water heater, ready for next time.

Best Uses for a Portable Water Heater A portable water heater is a useful system which is usually used outdoors in situations such as camping or any other time hot water is needed outdoors. These systems can be fuelled by propane, kerosene, gas battery/electric or oil. A good portable water heater is lightweight and compact, capable of heating a 5 gallon water tank to boiling point in a very short space of time. This will allow for washing/showering, cooking and making hot drinks in an outdoor environment. Ideal for a touch of luxury in the great outdoors.

Things to look out for with some brands is that you may need to pay extra to have attachments such as a spray adapter or hose. And this may sound obvious but the fuel needed for the portable water heater is not usually included.

Water pressure can also vary from brand to brand but many people do not find this an important issue, as long as they can have easy access to hot water.

If you purchase a unit which is rechargeable, you will need to hook it up during the night as the battery that powers the pump needs to be fully charged. But this will usually allow the portable water heater to run all day.

A family of five could easily wash dishes, make hot drinks and have a good wash for the whole day so it is almost like bringing a hot water heating system with you from home.

It is not the cheapest way to get hot water but when you are camping or in a similar situation, having access to hot water on demand is a luxury many people will not mind paying for.

Just remember to build in the cost of gas or whichever fuel the portable water heater uses when budgeting to buy the unit.

Installing a Tankless Water Heater As you already know, you can save a chunk of money carrying out home maintenance as opposed to hiring someone else to do it for you. And the installation of many items can be done by yourself as long as you follow the instructions carefully and take the proper precautions. This is the same advice when it comes to installing a tankless water heater.

At this moment in time, a plumber will charge you around $90 per hour to install a tankless water system for you. And it usually takes the average plumber around 6 hours to complete the task. Now you don’t need me to do the math for you but now you can see how much money you can save.

And it really is not that complex a job for the average person to do. As long as you have the normal amount of common sense, follow the instructions carefully and take your time, then you should be able to complete the task yourself. If the heating system does not come with clear instructions, it would be a wise investment to purchase a book on the subject from any big hardware store or online at amazon.com. Even better, there are some excellent websites which have great tankless water heater installation guides you can print out for free.

The main things you need to remember when installing the water heater is that you have an adequate ventilation system in place and you have all the correct fittings needed for the installation. That last point will save you a lot of time and frustration so it is always worth checking before you start the installation. If you are unsure, ask at the time of purchase or call the store/manufacturer to check.

As mentioned before, a proper ventilation system is important. The vent can be similar to that used for a clothes tumble dryer. All of the parts needed for a ventilation system for the tankless water heater can be purchased from any decent hardware store.

Making it Easy to Avoid Water Heater Problems A plumber loves water heater problems. It is one of his most common call outs and one of his more lucrative jobs as the average price for repairing a leaking water heater can run up to $1000. A water heater that is leaking is the most common reason people will replace it. Once a tank has started to leak, it is not worth the cost to repair it. Knowing a little about water heaters may help you to extend the life of yours. A water heater in basic terms is a steel tank which has vitreous glass on the inside lining to prevent rust. In reality, the seal may weaken and expose the steel tank to the water which will lead to rusting. Some of the better manufacturers will place an anode rode inside of the tank to help.

So how does this anode rod help? This rod works by protecting any of the exposed steel of the tank from electrolysis effects. The effects of electrolysis happen when dissimilar types of metal come into contact with one another while in the water.

From any of those metals in the water, whichever one happens to react most will be the metal which will corrode first.

The anode rod placed inside of the water heater tank will be made of magnesium or more commonly aluminium. Because magnesium and aluminium is more reactive than the metal the tank is made from, the rod will corrode first. So this is how the rod will protect the inside of the tank from corrosion.

One thing to bear in mind is that the anode rod will need to be replaced as they do wear out. This is important because if the rod wears out, then the water will corrode the inside of the tank instead.

All water heaters that are manufactured now come with an anode rod inside. The best tank to have is the ones which have the anode rod with a visible hex head. This will allow you to easily check the state of the rod at regular intervals and replace when needed.

Another way to avoid common problems is to drain the water tank once every 12 months. Different water tanks will have different instructions but you can usually do an internet search for instructions specific to your water heater or simply get in touch with the manufacturer and ask for advice.

And if you are still unsure, ask a plumber to do it for you. It will be cheaper than calling a plumber out for a leaking water tank.

Some Questions on High Efficiency Water Systems People have many questions when it comes to the subject of high efficiency water heaters. This is because this is still a fairly new way of heating water and can create confusion as there is a lot of misinformation on the subject.

If I buy a high efficiency water heater, will I be able to save money on my bills?

Yes, in a normal family house, a cost saving of between 10% – 15% is possible. If you purchase a really good high efficiency water heater, you will find that it will use only half of the energy needed to heat water compared to a normal water heater.

How come there is such a difference?

When it comes to high efficiency water heaters, there are many factors to take into consideration. In a larger house, the water tank may be installed in a position which is some distance from any one of the hat water taps. If the hot water needs to flow though many pipes from the tank to the tap, it will be cooler by the time it comes out of the tap. So that is a loss in energy right there.

Is it only tankless systems that can be considered high efficiency?

No. It is possible to have a high efficiency water tank which could still use up to 20% less energy than a standard water heater. These are usually fuelled using propane, natural gas, electric or oil. There are also high efficiency water heaters which are powered by solar which can cut the cost of bills even further.

While the cost savings are all to plain to see, the biggest problem with these new types of system for many people is the cost of the purchase and installation.

Are high efficiency water heaters worth the extra initial expense?

Without a doubt. Yes, they can cost a little more to buy and install but they usually pay for themselves very quickly as the cost is offset with the savings in lower fuel bills.

However, for those who do not have a big family and do not use much hot water for showers, washing dishes and other normal chores, then the difference in savings may be very minimal.

Advice on Natural Gas Tankless Water Heaters There are many folks who are selecting to change their current water heater to one of the newer tankless heating systems which are becoming more popular. There are many reasons for this switch. Tankless water heaters offer the convenience of high efficiency and immediate hot water on demand as opposed to having endure the waiting for the water heater to heat up the water.

A tankless water heater which is fuelled with natural gas is a popular choice. Some of the more popular manufacturers of natural gas tankless water heaters include Bosch aquastar, Rheem and Rinnai. There are other brands and it is always worth considering one of the more popular brands, even if it means spending a little more.

The reason for this is when it comes to maintenance, by choosing a more well known brand of natural gas tankless water heater to begin with will mean that any parts needed will be no problem to replace. Also, you will find that many of the popular brands will have many more trained technicians than some of the cheaper brands.

The majority of people will have the tankless water heater fitted by the store or a technician. It is possible to install the water heater yourself if you feel you have the knowledge to do so.

When installing the water heater, make sure that the natural gas supply is completely shut off. This needs to be checked as you will be disconnecting the pipe which leads into the building. Failure to do this step correctly will result in gas escaping into the building. And you don’t need an expert to tell you that is not a good situation!

If you are fitting the water heater yourself, you will need to make sure and double check that the vent is adequate. There should be enough ventilation that will lead to the outside of the building. Under no circumstances should you vent a natural gas tankless water heater to any indoor area of the building.