operated only when necessary instead of on standby throughout the day. It is believed tankless systems improve the energy efficiency of a home or commer-cial facility from eight percent to as much as 50 percent, depending on the amount of hot water demanded, which can translate into energy savings of 10 percent to as much as 30 percent. This is why tankless hot water systems are becoming increasingly popular not only in homes and apartment buildings, but also in commercial facilities that are focused on being greener and more sustainable. How They Work When a hot water tap is turned on, cold water travels through a pipe into the tankless unit. Usually, either a gas burner or an electric element heats the water and is designed to provide a constant supply of hot water as needed. Solar-powered systems are also avail-able. Typically, tankless systems provide hot water at a rate of two to five gallons per minute. In situations where this amount of hot water will not satisfy demand, two or more systems — connected in parallel for simultaneous demands of hot water — can be installed. Other Advantages And Potential Disadvantages In addition to energy savings, there are other benefits to tankless hot water heaters. Although they have gotten larger in recent years to increase water capacity and meet greater hot water demand, they are still very small and compact when compared to a conventional tank water heater. In fact, most builders and facility manag-ers believe one of the key advantages of a tankless system, in addition to the energy savings, is the space savings. Another advantage is that, in most cases, a tankless system can provide unlimited amounts of hot water and do so instantly. However, in large commercial buildings, multiple tankless systems may be neces-sary to meet hot water demand. Also, extreme cold weather can impact the actual heat of the water — at least ini-tially — and how hot the water is when first requested. In some cases, it may take a couple of minutes for hot water to pour from the tap. This, however, may be about the same amount of time it takes a traditional tank water heater to provide hot water at vari-ous taps. Another potential disadvantage to tank-less systems is expense. While costs continue to come down, in many cases, tankless systems do cost more than conventional hot water heaters. It is believed that, over time, competition and the streamlining of production will help lower costs for these units. Further, the potential energy savings will likely mitigate the larger price tag over time. Additionally, even though they offer space savings as a key advantage, tankless systems can be costly to install, especially in a preexisting facility. This can run a few hundred dollars in a home to several thousands of dollars in a commercial location. Finally, a tankless system may have more maintenance issues than a conventional hot water heater. According to a Consumer Reports study, tankless systems do require more routine service than conventional water heaters, which can go years with little or no service. This is because of calcium buildup in the tankless unit, which can reduce the efficien-cy of the system, constrict water flow and, if not attended to properly, damage the unit. Tankless hot water systems have come a long way from those installed in the tene-ments built a century ago. In fact, they have come a long way when compared to the systems developed just a decade ago, and the industry and technol-ogy are still evolving. However, it would not be surprising to see tankless systems, at least in homes and smaller commercial buildings, become the most common way to heat water in the next few years. CM The Durability of Metal. The Versatility of Plastic. The Geerpres ® High Capacity Cart The Geerpres ® High Capacity Cart, constructed out of powder-coated cold rolled steel, is the latest innovation in housekeeping carts for the healthcare industry. Offering a generous storage capacity of 8.4 cubic feet, a unique center divided cabinet with access from both sides, and 5" double bearing swivel casters for maximum maneuverability, the High Capacity Cart exceeds the versatility of any plastic cart. Call 800.253.0373 To view a video demo of Geerpres ® Cart Solutions, scan this tag with your smart phone. To learn more or to request a demo, visit www.geerpres.com Circle Product Information no. 220 on page 32 www.cmmonline.com 19
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