You just got out of bed and cannot wait to bask in the warmth of your morning shower. Shivering, you turn on the faucet for some relief, but you must endure two additional minutes of stabbing cold before hot water reaches the shower head.
It's a problem many of us simply accept when we could instead install a point-of-use (POU) water heater for instant hot water at nearly 100% efficiency.
Unlike central water heaters, which provide hot water to all of the home faucets from a central location, POU heaters are installed at the source, right under a sink or next to a shower. Their proximity allows hot water to arrive quickly and efficiently, letting you feel the warmth on demand.
In both styles, point-of-use electric hot water heaters are most common. Although gas POU water heaters are available, they are more complicated and expensive to install due to venting and gas line requirements.
Electric POU tank water heaters use a heating element to convert electrical energy into heat energy. The heated water is then stored, ready for use whenever someone turns the faucet.
Electric POU tankless water heaters heat incoming cold water as it passes through the unit. They use a heating element but require higher amps of electricity than a tank unit in order to quickly raise the temperature of the passing cold water.
In general, the differences between tank and tankless POU water heaters are the same as those between regular tank and tankless units. For more information, read our article about how hot water heaters work.
POU water heaters can be installed at the source, virtually anywhere you need hot water. Below is a list of common applications.
Besides having the main benefit of instant hot water, POU water heaters provide the following:
Distant showers and sinks are a central water heater's biggest challenge. Since 1970, the distance from the hot water heater to the furthest fixture has increased by an average of 50 feet. Once the water is heated, it must travel all the way across the building to reach its destination.
If the building is older, there may also be pressure problems within the system that slow the water down further. Add to this the fact that the water will lose heat as it travels the distance, so it will be barely lukewarm by the time it arrives.
Located at the source, POU water heaters solve all these problems. The furthest fixture will likely receive hot water faster from a POU than if it were the closest fixture in a centralized system.
Imagine having a POU unit that provides instant hot water that you can use immediately. Even if it supplements a central water heater, you are still maximizing hot water efficiency.
Otherwise, if you have a very large home, you might choose to exclusively use POU units at every faucet. Either way, you're saving substantial amounts of water, which is good for both your pocketbook and the environment.
POU water heaters are typically less than one-foot tall and wide and can fit in most enclosures under or beside the faucet they serve. This also makes them relatively simple to maintain.
Naturally, POU water heaters have limited output due to their small size, but that's the point. They are designed for one to two small fixtures at most. A central water heater or multiple POU units are required to meet hot water needs for an entire home, depending on its size.
Choosing the right POU water heater rests on answering the following questions:
You also need to choose between tank and tankless POU options. This will depend on how much space you have and your intended application.
For example, if you have limited space or plan on using a fixture frequently throughout the day, then go with a tankless POU water heater. It will fit almost anywhere and can handle frequent demand.
Note: Amperage requirements for some tankless POU units can be up to 150 amps, which is more than many residential homes can handle. Always make sure you have enough electricity to power the unit; consult an electrician.
Tank POU water heaters draw less electricity and will be your best bet for light uses where you don't need a high volume of hot water, such as a guest bathroom sink.
There are benefits to combining POU heaters with a central storage tank or tankless unit, mainly when it comes to stabilizing the flow of hot water to a faucet. The POU only needs to be on for a short period of time until the central unit fires up and starts sending hot water.
These little units can also be a great back-up for central storage tank water heaters, especially in homes with large families. If one family member takes an extra-long shower, there will be some water left for you if you use both a POU and central storage tank water heater.
Overall, installations can range from being simple to complex. Give us a call to discuss possible solutions for you. We recommend you hire a professional to ensure proper installation, especially if a hard-wired electrical connection is also needed.
Overall, anyone can benefit from a POU water heater because we all want faster hot water and lower utility bills. And these units won't break the bank, with many costing less than $300.
So, to guarantee hot water to even the furthest fixtures in your house, go with a POU water heater.
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