Understanding Your Instant Water Heater's Electricity Usage
Many homeowners wonder whether their instant water heaters, or tankless water heaters, use electricity when they are not running hot water. The answer to this question is complex and depends on several factors. Let's break down the details to provide clarity and help you better understand the usage of your water heater.
How Instant Water Heaters Work
Instant water heaters, also known as tankless water heaters, are designed to heat water on demand. This means that they only activate when hot water is being used. When you open the faucet or start the shower, the water heater kicks in and provides hot water instantly. This is a significant benefit in terms of energy efficiency and water conservation, as it eliminates the standby energy loss associated with traditional storage water heaters.
Electricity Consumption When Not in Use
While instant water heaters are indeed designed to conserve energy by only using power when water is being drawn, there is a small amount of electricity used even when not in use due to the digital controls and other internal components. According to studies and industry estimates, the typical on-demand water heater uses a very small amount of power when not in use, usually less than half an amp, which mainly powers the digital thermometer and control systems.
Common Electricity Use Scenarios
Some instant water heaters may activate for a few minutes every hour or so to preheat the water in the pipes. This is done to ensure that the water is always hot and ready when needed. The amount of water reheated in this process is typically minimal, only heating a pint or so of water, not a large volume such as 20 gallons.
Examples and Considerations
To give you a clearer picture, let's look at a few examples of different water heaters and their electricity usage scenarios:
Your Own Instant Water Heater
If your instant water heater is an electric model, it will likely use a small amount of electricity to power its digital control systems, even when not in use. However, the consumption is minimal. For instance, if you have an on-demand water heater from a specific manufacturer, it is recommended to check the specifications provided by the manufacturer to get a clear understanding of its exact energy consumption patterns.
Cabin and Natural Gas Fuel Models
Some cabins or small properties might have natural gas fueled on-demand water heaters, which do not use electricity at all. However, it might be powered by an electric well pump, as seen in the example with a cabin mentioned. The electric well pump is used to supply water to the on-demand heater, which does not require any electricity to heat the water.
Modern Electronic Controls
Other models might use electronic controls to regulate the temperature and ignite the heater, leading to some ongoing, albeit minimal, electricity consumption. For instance, a more modern installation might use electronic controls that consume a small amount of power all the time. This is similar to how some modern appliances operate, using small amounts of electricity to maintain certain functions even when not in use.
Conclusion and Tips
In summary, while instant water heaters generally do not use electricity when no hot water is being used, there is a small ongoing consumption for control systems and other internal components. To further reduce energy consumption, you can consider unplugging your water heater when not in use. Additionally, always refer to the manufacturer's specifications for the most accurate and up-to-date information. By understanding how your instant water heater operates, you can make informed decisions about its energy efficiency and usage.
For further personalized advice, you may want to contact the manufacturer or refer to the installation and service manuals available online. This can help you manage your energy consumption more effectively and ensure your system operates as designed.