Most of us have had experience with the old-style hot water heaters. Many of these are powered by natural gas and work by keeping a large multi-gallon tank of water at a hot temperature all the time. Because it can be wasteful to burn gas to keep a full tank of water hot even when it may not be needed (such as, for example, when no one is home), a new solution – the tankless hot water heater – has evolved. And, because this new solution is extremely energy efficient, the government has authorized a tax credit of up to $1,500 for qualified purchases.
Many tankless hot water heaters are also powered by natural gas, but work much differently than the old-style models. With a tankless water heater, your water is heated only after traveling into the tankless hot water heater and by coming into contact with a heating element or heat exchanger. Because you only heat the water that you use, the tankless system is extremely energy efficient, and offers a never ending supply of hot water. Essentially, by turning on the hot water faucet, you “request” that the tankless unit heat water. It will continue to do so until you turn the faucet off. Tankless units are small and are usually hung on the wall. Your Minneapolis appliance dealer can tell you more about this new technology and the generous tax credit that will attach if you make a qualifying purchase.