The Instant Hot Water Heater: Why is it on everyone’s “naughty list”?

The most notable advantage of gas water heaters is their ability to provide hot water on demand.

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1. The Standout Advantages of Gas Water Heaters

– Compact Size

One of the most notable advantages of gas water heaters is their compact size. Typically, the dimensions of this appliance are only around 400mm x 500mm x 200mm, making it easy to install in limited bathroom spaces. From a distance, a gas water heater looks like a small cube, taking up almost no space.

Compared to traditional water heaters with storage tanks, gas water heaters are far superior in terms of size. The tanks on conventional heaters usually have a diameter of 700-800mm and a length of 70cm to nearly 1m, taking up significantly more space in the bathroom.

For households with small bathrooms, installing a gas water heater is now easier and more convenient than ever. For this reason, this product is attracting the interest of many consumers.

– Easy Installation

Gas water heaters are compact and do not store water, making them very lightweight. This means that one person can easily install it without any difficulty.

Simply find a small space near an electrical outlet, then attach a small bracket to the wall to secure the heater.

After installation, users don’t have to worry about the unit falling, which is a common concern with traditional water heaters that have large tanks and require more complex and secure installation. This convenience is one of the main reasons why many consumers opt for gas water heaters.

– Instant Hot Water

The most outstanding advantage of gas water heaters is their ability to provide hot water on demand. This is in stark contrast to traditional water heaters with storage tanks, where users often have to wait and waste some cold water before getting hot water.

On the other hand, gas water heaters deliver hot water almost instantly after turning on the switch. Thanks to this feature, gas water heaters save time and reduce water wastage, as there’s no need to run the water to get it warm.

2. Why Some People Refuse to Use Gas Water Heaters, Even if They’re Paid to Do So

Despite the numerous advantages of gas water heaters, some people say they wouldn’t use one even if they were paid to. The following four reasons explain this reluctance:

– High Power Consumption

Gas water heaters typically have very high power consumption, usually 5,000 watts or more, with some models reaching 6,000 or even 7,000 watts. For safe operation, these heaters often require three-phase power. However, some households still use single-phase power, which can lead to overloaded electrical circuits.

Nowadays, most households use electricity with a total capacity of around 8,000 to 10,000 watts. If a water heater alone consumes 6,000 watts, it’s very likely that using it will trip the circuit breaker. Moreover, when the water heater is operating, other electrical appliances in the house cannot be used simultaneously, or else the power will trip.

– Safety Risks

Gas water heaters don’t have storage tanks and operate by quickly heating water. While a high-quality product will have a low risk of electrical leakage, many families only know how to use the heater without paying attention to maintenance, which can lead to leakage.

If a gas water heater experiences electrical leakage during use, especially while someone is showering, it can be dangerous. Therefore, installing a gas water heater requires complying with regulations mandating a dedicated electrical circuit and a leakage protection switch. This requirement has deterred many families from installing gas water heaters, as non-compliance poses significant safety risks.

– Significantly Affected by Water Pressure

While gas water heaters can provide instant hot water, they are greatly affected by water pressure. Specifically, when multiple family members use water simultaneously, the flow rate of hot water from the heater decreases, and the water temperature suddenly increases. This is because low water pressure prevents cold water from being supplied in time, leading to temperature fluctuations.

This issue is particularly noticeable during peak water usage times in the household. Many people have also shared that while gas water heaters can provide instant hot water, the showering experience becomes unpleasant due to unpredictable temperature changes.

– High Electrical Requirements

Most gas water heaters require a dedicated power source to ensure efficient operation. Typically, this power source is connected from the main electrical panel to the bathroom, with a separate electrical wire. This wire should be equipped with an anti-leakage circuit breaker at the input and directly connected to the water heater.

However, this installation method is often incompatible with standard electrical systems in homes, so using a gas water heater can be challenging without prior preparation.

Additionally, to ensure safety and performance, most gas water heaters require the use of copper wiring with a minimum cross-sectional area of 4mm², and some models even require 6mm². This can be difficult for many households, as installing a separate wire with such a large cross-sectional area is uncommon. Therefore, the high electrical requirements have limited the use of gas water heaters in many homes.

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