Tankless Water Heaters: What They Are & How They Work

Knowing the main characteristics of this type of heater is only the first step in understanding how they function. To truly get the idea of how a tankless system provides hot water for your household, it’s important to delve deeper into its operational principles:

• The entire process begins when you turn your tap for hot water on.
• After that, a sensor in charge of monitoring the flow of water that enters the heater signals the control panel that it’s time to begin making hot water.
• If your unit is gas-fired, the control unit will first turn the fan on to draw the outside air in, then open the gas valve to allow the gas to enter before igniting the burner.
• After that, it’s time for the heat exchanger to capture all the heat emanating from the flame and transfer it toward the water that’s moving through the tubing of the exchanger.
• Then, the mixing valve will temper the superheated water that’s exiting the heat exchanger.
• Lastly, the sensor that monitors the temperature of the water will detect if the water falls short or exceeds your desired setting, notifying the control panel to adjust the mixing valve, the gas valve, as well as the water valve that regulates water flow until the water is just right.
• The entire process ends when either one or several sealed vents carry all exhaust gases through the outside wall or the roof before conveying combustion air toward the burner.