Hazards to Keep in Mind When Using Tankless Water Heating Systems

August 27, 2018

Efficient and compact, those are the two features that come to mind when you think about tankless water heating systems. And there’s a whole list of other compelling reasons to opt for this modern water heating solution. However, just as other appliances have drawbacks to contend with, so do tankless systems. To begin with, the system fuel source can be dangerous.

Fuel Source Dangers

Granted, there’s no pressurized tank to worry about, but that doesn’t mean you’re entirely safe. Gas is a dangerous fuel, although its fierce energies have been tamed by engineers. Even so, gas leaks are dangerous. Explosive risks exist when gas escapes. Carbon monoxide fumes, which are odourless, could also seep into the air if the system is improperly vented. Some might say an electrically powered unit is safer, but electrical fault currents can also prove lethal, especially if the equipment hasn’t been installed by a qualified engineer. To minimize the risk factors, have your tankless water heating system installed and maintained by a seasoned professional.

The Other Side of the Coin 

Just to be clear, tankless water heating systems are modern in every conceivable way. That includes the latest safety features. If there’s a worry about a pilot light blowing out, stop worrying now, for tankless appliances use electronic ignition modules. Furthermore, these compact units typically integrate advanced overheating protection mechanisms and thermal monitoring circuits, all of which continually assess the water temperature so that scald risks are practically non-existent. In short, although fuel issues exist, on-demand heating puts a strong focus on safety.

Redundancy-Assured Continual System Monitoring 

Some might say that a delay in tap-hot water is in itself a safety feature. The brief pause gives a bather an important few seconds to draw back and avoid a nasty burn. By that logic, on-demand heating would be a little more dangerous because the scalding hot water would be right there at the tap, just as soon as the faucet was turned. Not to worry, though, there are electromechanical and electronic overheating protection systems built into tankless water heating units, and they’re continually backing each other up, all while they’re continually monitoring the peak temperature of the water as it leaves the confines of the system outlet pipe.

There’s no tank to gather sediment, no pressurized storage area to worry about, but there are other matters to remember. First of all, all fuel sources carry their own unique sets of risk factors. Treat them accordingly, and have the equipment maintained. Secondly, on-demand water is hot water, but there are no scald risks here, not with two or more safety features monitoring the water temperature. Again, a maintenance check assures user safety. Overall, tankless models are the safer water heating option.

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