Hot water heaters play an important role in our daily lives — whether we realize it or not. In fact, it’s pretty safe to say this appliance is an unsung hero that works covertly behind the scenes, providing you with hot water when you shower, wash dishes, and perform various other tasks around the house.
In today’s day and age, there are many water heater options to choose from. Although traditional tank water heaters are still a popular choice, there are also tankless units that don’t require a bulky storage tank. These tankless systems, which have been dubbed “on-demand water heaters,” are highly regarded for their ability to produce hot water only when needed.
But do tankless water heaters run out of hot water? Let’s answer this question below!
How Does a Tankless Water Heater Work?
Before discussing whether or not a tankless water heater can run out of hot water, it’s important to understand how these appliances work. As you may already know, tankless water heaters contain many standard components, such as heat exchangers, to provide you with a dependable supply of hot water. However, you might not be familiar with the entire water heating process.
We’ll go over what you need to know in this guide:
Can a Tankless Water Heater Run Out of Hot Water?
There are many benefits to tankless water heaters. Despite this, it’s understandable if you’re worried about these popular systems keeping up with your hot water demands. If the time has come for a replacement, you might ask yourself, “Do tankless water heaters run out of hot water?” When it comes down to it, the answer to this question can be “yes” and “no.”
By design, a tankless water technically cannot run out of hot water. However, a few factors — such as power outages and excessive hot water use — can cause your tankless unit to stop producing the hot water you desire. Let’s discuss these factors in more detail below.
Power Outages & Your Water Heater
Tankless water heaters can operate on gas or electricity. However, in order to install a tankless system that runs on natural gas, you’ll need to have a gas line on your property. Although installing a gas line might seem like an inconvenience or unnecessary expense, it may be worthwhile if you live in an area that’s prone to power outages.
If your tankless water heater runs on electricity and the power goes out, your unit won’t be able to produce any hot water. As a result, you can wind up with cold showers — which is never an ideal situation.
Since a traditional water heater stores water in a tank, you’ll usually still have access to some hot or warm water when the power goes out. However, once this hot water runs out or cools down, your showers will turn cold, just like if you had a tankless unit.
Overwhelming Your Water Heater
During a tankless water heater installation, your installer should size the system to accommodate your home’s hot water needs. The installer will need to determine the water heater’s flow rate, which is the overall amount of water it can heat at one time.
So, you might be wondering, do tankless water heaters run out of hot water if they’re sized or installed incorrectly? As you can probably imagine, the answer to this question is an absolute yes. If your water heater is sized incorrectly and can’t accommodate your hot water needs, then you can encounter cold water when members of your family shower or run multiple appliances simultaneously.
Since a tankless water heater can run out of hot water when installed incorrectly, it’s important to work with an installer you can trust. When the water heater is installed correctly, you can rest assured that the unit will be as energy efficient and effective as possible. This way, you can avoid various issues, such as a Dallas water heater repair, later down the road.
Contact Our Professional Tankless Water Heater Installers!
“Do tankless water heaters run out of hot water?” Overall, you don’t have to worry about your appliance giving you the cold shoulder. However, a tankless water heater can run out of hot water if the power goes out or if the unit is installed incorrectly.
When the time comes to install a tankless water heater, turn to Pure Plumbing in Dallas, TX! You can count on our installers to correctly size the water heater to fit your needs. Our technicians are highly trained and experienced to get the job done right. We offer a broad array of options and specialize in both tankless and storage tank water heaters.
If you’re ready to have your water heated properly, don’t wait to schedule a water heater replacement in Dallas, TX. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!
