Frequently Asked Questions
Q. "If I order an Instant-Flow® Micro with a factory preset temperature of 104 degrees, what happens after I've received the unit and realized that I want it to set at 110 degrees. Can I change the temperature then? Is that possible?"
A. No, you will not be able to change the factory preset temperature for these units. So before ordering, make sure to select one with the desired factory preset temperature. If you want to be able to change your water temperature you can order the Instant-Temp® water heaters, which allow you to adjust/change the water temperature.
Q. "Will an instantaneous water heater save me money on my utility bills?"
A. In many applications you can see a savings. There are some variables that could reduce the amount you save. One example is you will not run out of hot water, so longer showers could cut into your savings. Also, the cost of electricity, propane and natural gas in your area will affect the amount of money saved. The higher the cost for the energy type used to heat your water, the quicker you can recover the higher initial cost of installing a tankless versus tank style water heater.
Positives:
- You will never run out of hot water. "You want an hour long shower? No problem!"
- Electric units can be installed at the point of use.
- You're not paying energy costs to heat water 24 hours a day.
- Our electric units don't require a T&P valve (no tank!) - if code allows.
- Installing a tankless water heater can indeed be a bonus to the environment. (Why choose wastefulness when we're talking about finite natural resources?)
Negatives:
- They all need a minimum flow rate & pressure to turn on.
- Electric units need heavy gauge wire, while gas units need a much larger, special flue pipe and larger gas supply than a conventional water heater.
- At times they can produce very hot water. It's easier to get scalded - but this is easily mitigated with anti-scald valves.
- With some brands, parts are hard to find (not a negative if you originally purchase from us, as we like to carry parts for the units that we sell).
Summary:
Tankless water heaters have their place. They're not "the answer" to every hot water need, but if they're used correctly they can be the solution to many of them.
Q. "How come there is not a factory preset temperature with the Instant-Flow® SR models?"
A. The temperature you get from the units are going to depend on the model ordered and the incoming water temperature.
Q. "Your products specify the 'temp. rise' based on the gpm flow; what do you mean by this?"
A. Temperature rise is the amount the heater raises the temperature of the incoming water, based on the flow rate shown of that water. If you don't know what your incoming water temperature is, we offer a chart that shows average groundwater temperatures in the USA, or you can check with your local water district for the actual temperature in your area. Please note this can be adjusted by any sort of preheating (such as solar heaters).
Q. "How much do I need to raise my incoming ground water temperature for ____________"
A. This is a highly personal question as everyone's opinion is different. Combine that with the differences in incoming water temperatures and you have a different answer for each installation. However, a lot of studies have been done on what people (on average) find comfortable, so we can give you some very general numbers to help you narrow the possibilities. These studies have shown that most people are comfortable washing their hands at near body temperature and find showers comfortable at 95°F to 105°F, depending on whether they prefer cool or hot showers. Nearly everyone agrees that 57°F is too chilly for comfortable hand washing, much less showering.
Q. "I'm hearing a lot about lead-free these days. What does that have to do with plumbing products and how does the new lead-free legislation affect me?"
A. Basically, the laws implemented Jan. 1st, 2014 require plumbing products that come in contact with drinking water to be "essentially lead free" (less than 0.25% weighted average). For further information about how the law determines what is "lead free", rules regarding which plumbing products must be "lead free", and who these laws will affect, please view our page.
