How Tankless Water Heaters Work, Are They Worth It for Edmond Homes?

The last thing that anyone in Edmond who has a cold or unsteady morning shower wants is for their showers to be even colder. If you are looking to find information about how tankless water heaters work, it is probably because you want to know if installing one of these units will resolve your winter hot water issues without increasing your cost.

In this article we have provided a description of how tankless water heaters function, the differences between tankless water heaters and traditional tank type water heater systems and whether or not tankless water heaters would be a good investment for Edmond area homeowners who deal with cold weather, hard water and rising utility bills.

Why Tankless Water Heaters Are Getting Attention in Edmond This Winter

Most people experience the majority of their hot water troubles during the Winter months; cold water is coming into your home, your showers are lasting longer, and your family is typically using more hot water than usual in the early morning and late evening hours.

Standard tank type hot water heaters have a fixed amount of hot water storage space. The moment this limited supply is depleted, you are at the mercy of the time it takes for the tank to recharge the hot water supply. Tankless units heat water "on demand" (when you need it), which is why many homeowners refer to them as an "endless hot water" system.

As stated above, while "endless" may imply no limits, there are still limits on the operation of these types of systems, particularly during extreme cold temperatures found in the winter months here in Oklahoma. These low inlet temperatures will require the unit to produce more BTUs to increase the water temperature, thus emphasizing the importance of selecting the correct size for your Edmond home.

Hard water is a common problem in Edmond, and like all water heaters, mineral deposits can accumulate within a tankless unit if routine maintenance is not performed.

How Tankless Water Heaters Work and What Homeowners Should Know

No Tank, Just On-Demand Heating

A tankless water heater does not have to be filled with water that is at a temperature; when you open the faucet for hot water, cold water enters the tankless unit, travels through a heat exchanger and is immediately heated (either by a gas flame or electric heating coil).

As long as the water runs from the tap, so will the water heater continue to supply warm water. Many consumers believe they are never out of warm/hot water.

What Changes During Winter

In the wintertime, the cold water coming into a home is colder than it would have been in the summer months. Consequently, the tankless unit has to increase the temperature from the lower starting point more; therefore, there is greater demand upon the tankless system.

You may experience a slight decrease in water flow or slightly cooler water when using multiple hot water fixtures simultaneously with an undersized unit. A majority of these issues can be prevented by selecting the proper tankless system size for Oklahoma's wintertime conditions.

Gas vs Electric Tankless Systems

Tankless hot water heaters using natural gas are a common choice for most of the homeowners who have natural gas available to their home in Edmond. This is due to the fact that gas tankless units generally produce more heat than their electric counterparts and are better suited to meet winter demand.

In some cases, electric tankless systems will be effective and may be preferred by those who prefer an electric option. However, in many cases when you want to install an electric tankless system in a whole house it is necessary to upgrade your electrical panel in your home especially if your home was built before 1990. This can add additional cost to your installation.

FAQ: Does a Tankless Water Heater Function Properly During Cold Weather (Oklahoma Winters)?

Yes, if properly installed and sized for winter use. Modern tankless units contain internal freeze protection, however that internal freeze protection requires electricity to function.

In cases of extended power outage, draining the tankless unit is often suggested. The installation location of the tankless unit as well as proper pipe insulation can also affect the operation during cold weather.

FAQ: Can a Tankless System Satisfy My Family's Hot Water Demands?

Yes, if the system is properly sized. The majority of customer complaints about tankless systems result from an improperly sized unit; customers who have high unrealistic expectations regarding hot water needs; or problems resulting from mineral build up due to using hard water.

Action Steps to Decide If Tankless Is Right for Your Home

Before an Edmond homeowner makes a decision, here's what they can do first.

The first thing that needs to be done is determine the actual problem. Is it that your hot water tank isn't producing enough hot water or is it that the hot water is being delivered too slowly, or the temperature isn't consistent? Sometimes the plumbing design and/or recirculation problems could be the main reason.

Next, the homeowner needs to know how many hot water using fixtures are running at the same time. The number of shower heads, bathtub faucets, kitchen sink faucets, dishwasher, and washing machine need to be included in the count so that the unit is sized correctly to meet the demand.

Additionally, the homeowner will need to take into consideration the effects of Edmond's "hard" water. Scale build-up occurs when mineral deposits from the hard water accumulate in the pipes. Scale build-up can decrease the effectiveness of the tankless unit. The homeowner will need to flush their tankless units annually to remove scale build-up and descale them every year to keep them functioning properly. Some homeowners also choose to install water softening systems to reduce the amount of mineral deposits that are present in their water supply.

The next step would be to find out if there are any additional installation costs that will be incurred. Tankless unit installations often involve upgrading the gas line, installing new venting lines, adding a condensate drain, and/or requiring new electrical connections to the home's wiring. All of these costs need to be factored into the price quote.

Lastly, the homeowner needs to research if there are any rebates or tax credits available for the purchase and installation of a tankless unit. Depending on the type of unit that is purchased and installed, there could be rebates available through the local utility company and/or federal government.

Why Tankless Water Heaters Can Make Sense for Edmond Homes

Edmond area homes experience harsh winters, have hard water, and feature an assortment of building designs. These all contribute to how well your water heater performs.

Harsh winter conditions cause the water going into your water heater to be colder than other parts of the country. This causes the water heater to work harder to heat this cold water. Harsh water conditions require more frequent cleaning/maintenance of your water heater. There are local regulations that require a licensed plumber to install your water heater professionally.

If you want a continuous supply of hot water for your household, expect to live in your current residence for several years and are committed to performing the annual routine maintenance required on tankless water heaters, then they are probably the right choice for you.

However, if you do not use a lot of hot water, expect to move within a short time frame, or would have to make significant investments in plumbing improvements to support a tankless system installation, then they may not be the most cost effective option for you.

Conclusion

Tankless water heaters warm up the amount of water needed at that time as opposed to storing a set amount of preheated water in a traditional storage tank and they can provide you with what feels like limitless hot water, but it is essential to properly size your tankless water heater for your needs in cold winter weather in Edmond; this includes incoming water temperature, incoming water hardness, as well as other variables that impact its ability to perform.

Because of these variables, proper sizing is extremely important. As such, for most homeowners in Edmond, tankless water heaters will improve their comfort, increase their energy efficiency, and offer long term value. The initial cost for a tankless water heater is usually higher than the cost for a traditional tank style water heater, but for some homes and households, it may be worth the additional expense.

Written by A&T Mechanical | Updated December 2025