1. Tankless Water Heaters
by Gillece Services
If you own a home or condo with an aging water heater, consider researching replacements before it
fails and causes a destructive leak. Among the options are tankless (also known as instantaneous) water
heaters, which supply hot water on demand.
When a hot water faucet gets turned on, cold water travels through a pipe into the unit, which warms
the water using a gas burner or electric element. One obvious benefit to tankless models is energy
savings: they eliminate standby heat loss associated with water storage and heat only when needed.
Plus, they can keep homes from running out of hot water. However, a tankless model’s energy output
restricts the water’s flow rate. Typically, tankless water heaters provide two to five gallons of hot water
per minute. Gas-powered units produce higher flow rates than do electric ones. Tankless water heaters
may cost more than traditional ones but have a higher life expectancy.
About the author: A Pittsburgh-area plumbing, HVAC, and electrical services provider, Gillece won the
2012 Reader’s Choice Award for Plumbing by readers of Pittsburgh’s Trib Total Media.