Is it time to replace your old water heater? Why not update to the latest technology which is much safer and more energy efficient, the electric tankless hot water heater. This heater is slowly becoming the standard in new homes because it is so much more efficient and saves both space and money.

An electric tankless hot water heater is much smaller than a standard hot water heater. In fact, it is about the size of a briefcase, you can easily hold it in your hands. Because of this, it can be installed just about anywhere; there is no need to pipe in your hot water from the basement or garage.

Instead of operating constantly, like a standard heater that works to keep the water in the tank hot at all times, the tankless water heater only kicks on when you turn on your hot water faucet. It shuts off when you turn off the faucet.

The electric tankless hot water heater has a flow sensor device that detects water flow as soon as you turn on the faucet and this is what triggers the unit to turn on and heat its coils. Water flows through heated coils and is quickly brought to the set temperature.

The water temperature is much more precise than with the old water tank heaters and this makes the tankless hot water heater safer to use in homes with children or elderly residents.

Because water is not stored in a tank at all times, the tankless hot water heater is less prone to scale build up and deterioration. These units have a lifespan of up to thirty years so you will get value from your investment.

The type of electric tankless hot water heater that you need to purchase depends upon the temperature of your incoming water. Therefore, if you live in North Dakota, you would need a different heater than if you live in Florida. The electrical supply to your home must also be considered. While this type of water heater reduces your electrical use overall, it does require a huge surge of energy when it kicks on, so you must buy the unit that will work with your power set-up.

When shopping for a electric tankless hot water heater, you should talk to a seller knowledgeable in all aspects of the requirements and function of the unit so that it performs well in your home once it is installed. Once you know the type of unit to buy for your home, you can comparison shop online to get the best price. The cost of the unit will depend on how powerful the unit is but you can expect to pay from a few hundred dollars up to around one thousand dollars. An electric tankless hot water heater is economical considering all of the benefits it provides.