It can be very frustrating and tiring if you have to wait for hot water to get to the tap after turning on the faucet. This happens when the outlet is too far from the water heater and travels through more pipes to reach the outlet. The best way to eliminate this waiting period is to install a point-of-use water heater. A point-of-use tankless water heater, as the name suggests, is a small device connected very close to the point where hot water is needed. Unlike the central water heater, the device is solely dedicated to that location alone to ensure a steady supply of hot water on demand. It can be installed under the sink or close to a shower, without re-doing the whole plumbing system.
On-demand point of use water heaters, or point of service water heaters, are used for a single application and small load requirements. In residential buildings, the uses include bathroom sinks, kitchen sinks, showers, washing machines, dishwashers, remote bathrooms or hot-tubs, and utility sinks, and other water heating tasks. Since it is a tankless heater, it does not store water in the tank but instantly heats the water as it passes through electrical heating components within the system. Their proximity to the source allows hot water to arrive quickly and efficiently.
The point-of-use tankless water heaters come in different sizes. The factors affecting the size of the heater you purchase for your home include groundwater temperature, hot water flow rate, application type, and hot water volume.
Point-of-use tankless water heaters work best for:
Large homes to ensure constant hot water supply to distant faucets.
Small homes with limited space and low water usage.
Remote water fixtures, or outdoor sink or shower.
Supplying hot water to new home additions like a room or a garage.
Benefits of using a point-of-use tankless water heater
Apart from the obvious benefit of instant hot water, here are some other reasons that make point-of-use tankless water heaters a preferred choice for many households:
Saves space
The design of these water heaters can easily fit in compact spaces within your home. They are smaller than the tank water heaters and work best for compact apartments, buildings, and tiny houses, where space is a serious concern. Their small size makes them relatively simple to maintain.
Saves energy
Point-of-use tankless water heaters have lower operating and energy costs. There is no standby heat loss like storage water heaters and also a waste of available hot water. This can help homeowners save up to 30% on their energy bills.
Long service life
Conventional water heaters and heat pumps last for 10-15 years, while tankless water heaters last as long as 25 years. The availability of easily replaceable parts can extend their life even further. They may seem costly upfront, but in the long run, they can help save money.
Provides hot water for distant faucets
Supplying hot water to distant sinks and showers is very challenging for the central water heater. Also, older buildings that have pressure problems, the flow of hot water can slow down further. With point-of-use water heaters, you can ensure constant hot water supply to even the furthest fixture.
You can install a point-of-use tankless water heater coupled with a centralized water heater, or mount multiple standalone units. If you want to add the comfort and convenience of point-of-use tankless water heaters to the home, consult a plumbing company to determine which one will be the best, and install it safely and efficiently.
