What Is a Point-of-Use Tankless Water Heater?

Considering a tankless water heater for your California home?

You have several options:

• Install one heater that serves all of your fixtures that require hot water. It heats water for your entire home.

• Choose smaller point-of-use water heaters, placing them at every faucet, shower head, and water-using appliance. These units will heat fewer gallons per minute than a more extensive,  central tankless water heater, but they are more energy efficient.

• Mix it up with a little of both. Install point-of-use water heaters at some fixtures, and use a larger tankless water heater for all other fixtures in your home.

Get Professional Plumbing Help

Our US Trenchless plumbers are experts in tank-style, tankless, and point-of-use water heater installation. We can help you choose the best water heater for your Roseville, home.

We understand the need for a system that operates efficiently, heats quickly, and serves everyone in your household.

For some of our customers, point-of-use water heaters are the perfect solution for their homes. They like the targeted approach rather than the whole-house water heating concept.

At US Trenchless, we agree with that approach. Point-of-use tankless water heaters offer distinct advantages.

Point-of-Use Tankless Water Heater Advantages

Here are a few reasons why we recommend point-of-use tankless heaters:

• Efficiency: Point-of-use heaters give you hot water when and where you need it. Water loses less heat as it flows from a faucet equipped with a point-of-use heater than it would as it travels through pipes from a central tankless heater.
  
  The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) points out water heating is the second largest energy expense in your Roseville, home, accounting for 18 percent of your utility bill.
  
  The DOE also says tankless water heaters in homes that use up to 41 gallons of hot water daily are up to 34 percent more efficient than tank heaters.

• Saves Space: Point-of-use tankless water heaters are smaller than their whole-house counterparts. Their compact size makes them ideal for installation in limited spaces like sinks and other small spaces.

• No Waiting: You wait for hot water to travel from your centralized on-demand water heater to the faucet you are using. A point-of-use heater eliminates the wait.

• Lower Cost: A point-of-use heater costs less than a larger, centralized tankless system. Depending on how many devices you need, you may spend less assembling a point-of-use water heater system than installing a centralized tankless water heater. You can gradually upgrade your water heater system by installing one or two point-of-use devices at a time.

Installing Point-of-Use Tankless Water Heaters

Is your home ready for a point-of-use water heating system? Our US Trenchless plumbers can determine if installation prerequisites exist.

Here are a few considerations:

Electrical: A point-of-use water heater system will increase the load on your electrical system. The equipment draws significant power to heat water on demand. Most point-of-use tankless water heaters need a dedicated electrical circuit to function correctly and safely. Sharing circuits can lead to overloading, tripped breakers, and electrical fires.

Consult a qualified electrician to confirm you have sufficient power.

• Ventilation: Natural gas-powered point-of-use tankless water heaters exist, although electric heaters are more common. If you prefer natural gas, be sure a professional installs the gas lines and venting. Venting is imperative for operating natural gas units safely and efficiently. It will prevent the buildup of gases in your home.

• Professional Installation: Resist the urge to install point-of-use tankless water heaters as a do-it-yourself project. Let professionals, like our qualified plumbers at US Trenchless, install them. A professional is experienced and knows how to install your new system safely, correctly, and in the appropriate locations.

• Maintenance: Point-of-use systems require minimal maintenance, but a periodic inspection alerts you to signs of leaks, damage, and unusual noises. Error codes can help troubleshoot problems. Your owner’s manual will include information about replacing filters in the unit and removing mineral deposits from hard water.

Two Water Heater Types Under One Roof

Is there ever a good reason to install a water heater system that uses both point-of-use and centralized heaters?

Yes!

For example, if your bathroom is far from a centralized tankless heater, consider adding a point-of-use heater to the sink and shower faucets. This move reduces the time water travels from the heater to the faucet. 

One or two point-of-use heaters can support your centralized tankless heater. If your main water heater breaks down or needs maintenance, your point-of-use heaters supply hot water at select faucets. This hybrid approach improves overall efficiency.

Before installing point-of-use heaters to supplement your central tankless water heater, be sure your electrical system can handle the additional demand. Point-of-use heaters typically require a dedicated electrical circuit.

Update Your Water Heater Today!

Our pros at US Trenchless can help you create a more efficient and convenient hot water system in your Roseville, CA, home with point-of-use tankless water heaters. We specialize in water heater installation and provide plumbing solutions for homes and businesses. Call us at 877-916-7473 or request service online.