Instantaneous Electric Water Heater
A hectic morning full of chores and tasks can be stressful enough without having to wait for hot water. This is why Racold’s Aures electric instantaneous water heater is the ideal solution for your household.
They heat the water on demand and do not have a storage tank, which helps save energy costs. However, it is important to have a proper installation and maintenance for better efficiency.
Energy Efficiency
The hot water supply is only generated at the point of use, with no energy wasted heating up a large tank of water that’s waiting to be used. This fusion of just-in-time delivery and energy conservation delivers significant benefits including reduced running costs, environmental protection and space saving.
In addition, electric instantaneous heaters do not waste water in the same way that central boiler systems do – they will only create hot water when a tap is turned on, unlike traditional storage tanks which are constantly losing heat to the environment even when the hot water tap is closed.
Another major benefit is that, because they don’t have a large tank, they can be installed in spaces where you wouldn’t normally fit a water heater (e.g. in flats or smaller houses where space is at a premium). You also don’t need a ‘boiler cupboard’ to store them, which can save you plumbing installation costs and improve the aesthetic of your bathroom or utility room.
However, it should be noted that all but the smallest instantaneous heaters can’t run on standard household ring main wiring and require a dedicated power cable run from your fusebox. This means they are not suitable for all situations, and if you need to install them in a location where this is not possible then it would be more cost-effective to go for a gas tankless heater.
Compact Size
Unlike traditional water heaters that have large tanks that can take up considerable space in a hot water cupboard, instantaneous instantaneous electric water heater electric water heaters are very compact and small. This makes them ideal for tight spaces and small homes, where it can save on space for other appliances.
As soon as the tap is turned on, cold water flows through the instantaneous electric water heater, where it comes in contact with a heating element to heat up. The temperature of the water then rises to your preferred settings. This happens within a few seconds, meaning that you can have hot water instantly on demand.
This is why instantaneous electric water heaters are more popular than other hot water systems such as storage water heaters that can be quite slow to supply hot water when it is needed. They also tend to have lower energy bills because they only heat water when it is being used, which helps to reduce the amount of electricity that they use.
Single phase electric instantaneous water heaters will require a dedicated power circuit to operate, which needs to be connected via a correctly sized mini circuit breaker (MCB) to the consumer unit in your home or commercial premises. Ideally, this should be placed in close proximity to where the instantaneous water heater will be installed, which will help to minimise electricity consumption and improve the system’s lifespan.
Safety
When you use a water heater, it instantly heats the water and then sends it through an outlet pipe. This water is hot and can cause burns if it’s not properly controlled. To minimise the risk of scalding, instantaneous electric water heaters come electric boiler with advanced temperature controllers. This regulates the incoming water temperature to the maximum safe limit.
They also have features to protect against other safety hazards. For example, the stainless steel Haws 9327CE instantaneous electric water heater can supply immediate tepid water for use in emergency showers and eyewash stations, in accordance with EN 15154 guidelines. It does so using predictive control algorithms to ensure accurate temperature control (+/- 1degC at steady state flow).
Water heaters also have a variety of safety features to reduce the risk of fire and electrical damage. Some models, such as FUJIOH’s water heater FZ-WH5033N, have a fire-retardant VO material that complies with the UL-94 grade of inflammability standard. This makes the appliance more durable and safer against accidental fires caused by short circuiting.
Having an instantaneous electric water heater is convenient and cost-effective, but proper installation and maintenance are essential. Make sure to use a licensed electrician to install your water heater, and check the power connection regularly to prevent problems with the electricity supply or overheating. In addition, switch off your water heater when it’s not in use to avoid overheating and minimise electrical damage.
Maintenance
As with any appliance, proper maintenance is essential for the longevity and performance of an instantaneous electric water heater. Sediments and limescale can clog the system, forcing it to work harder to heat the water and resulting in higher energy bills. Regular cleaning and flushing will help to prevent these problems.
To perform a drain and flush, first turn off the power to your tankless unit. If it has a gas supply, rotate the valve that sends fuel to it until the supply is completely cut off. Next, open the cold and hot water valves, then set up a five-gallon bucket on the floor next to the pump. Connect a short hose to the inlet port on the pump, which often has an arrow showing the direction that liquid flows through it. Then, attach the other end of the hose to the service valve leading to the water heater. Finally, run the pump for about an hour. When the pump is finished, close the valves and disconnect the hoses. Restart the water heater by consulting its manual for specific instructions.
It is also important to check the ventilation on a regular basis to ensure that harmful gases can’t build up in the area around your unit. Proper ventilation is essential to dissipate excess heat and prevent overheating. Lastly, it is recommended to clean and descale your unit regularly to avoid excessive mineral buildup.
