Homeowners understand the frustration of waiting for hot water in the shower, sink, washing machine, or bathtub. Point-of-use (POU) water heaters are space-saving solutions designed to deliver hot water instantaneously, as they eliminate the distance between the faucet and the heating source. They reduce the waiting time for the hot water to arrive after the user opens the faucet.
Professional water heater installers place these water heaters right where they are used: under the sink, in a cabinet next to the washing machine, or by the shower. Their proximity to the source allows them to deliver hot water on-demand, quickly and efficiently.
Point-of-use water heaters are an excellent alternative to central water heaters that deliver hot water to all the home faucets. Point-of-use water heaters are also perfect for fulfilling the hot water demands of home additions and detached home structures.
TYPES OF POINT-OF-USE WATER HEATERS
POU heaters can be gas or electronically powered. Gas-powered POU water heaters are less common as they are expensive and more complicated to install due to venting and gas lien requirements. Electric water heaters come in tank and tankless varieties.
POU tank water heater: This is similar to traditional tank water heaters but with a considerably smaller tank. It uses a heating element to convert electric energy into heat energy. They store hot water in a tank, ready to use whenever needed. A tank-style POU water heater comes in models ranging from 2.5 to 20 gallons.
POU tankless water heater: Tankless point-of-use water heaters do not have a water storage tank, and they heat cold water as it passes through the unit via a heating element. They require significantly less space and begin to work as soon as the user turns on the faucet. Tankless POU models come with different flow rates, which helps measure their performance.
Both tank and tankless POU water heaters are compact and ensure an endless hot water supply.
BENEFITS OF POU WATER HEATERS
EFFICIENCY
These water heaters are highly efficient as they remove the need for the water to travel to the outlet. They heat water right where it is used, which helps them reduce heat loss and makes them more efficient than whole-house water heaters.
ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY
POU water heaters heat water instantly, eliminating needless energy waste and cold water that goes down the drain unused while waiting for hot water.
COMPACT
These water heaters can fit anywhere. Their compact design is perfect for smaller homes.
EASY INTEGRATION
The POU heater reduces stress on the central water heater as it can work together with whole-house water filters to meet the household’s hot water needs. The central water heater will not have to work to supply hot water for all the faucets and fixtures, prolonging its lifespan.
POU WATER HEATER APPLICATION
A POU heater installation is perfect for:
- Large homes where many faucets are far from the main water heater
- Homes with limited space and low hot water usage
- Home additions
- Serving a shower or sink in a remote location
CHOOSE THE BEST POU WATER HEATER
Point-of-use water heaters offer comfort and convenience. Contact a local installation company to recommend the best POU water heater and ensure its perfect installation.
Water Heater Pros provides water heater installation and replacement services for Las Vegas and surrounding area residents and businesses. Our expert technicians install both traditional and tankless water heaters for homes and other buildings with gas or electric service. We offer the highest quality installers for efficient, versatile water heaters such as Rheem, Ruud, high-efficiency tankless Navien units, and more. Ask about our installation specials.