Why Your Tankless Water Heater Takes Time to Heat Water

Experiencing a delay in getting hot water with your tankless system? We explain why this happens and how to minimize the wait.

The "Cold Water Sandwich"

While tankless heaters provide endless hot water, they aren't completely "instant." When you turn on the tap, there is a slight delay before the hot water arrives.

Why the Delay?

• Ignition Sequence: The unit needs a moment to sense the water flow, ignite the burner, and heat the heat exchanger.
• Distance: The hot water still has to travel through the pipes from the heater to your faucet. Any cold water sitting in those pipes must be pushed out first.

Solutions

To reduce the wait time, you can install a recirculation pump, which keeps hot water circulating through the pipes so it's ready the moment you turn on the tap.