Microwave Tankless

Giant microwaves to heat water instantly? Is this real? And can it actually work?

A microwave (like in a microwave oven) is generated by a magnetron at a frequency of 2.45 gigahertz, this is the exact frequency that targets water molecules and gets them vibrating faster and faster, thus heating up.


The principal behind a microwave tankless water heater is basically the same as your microwave oven at home just on a larger scale. Cold water will simply pass through the unit where it will be bombarded by microwaves actively exciting the molecules to the required temperature. The warm or hot water will then pass through the pluming system to the source of demand.


Effectively this is making hot water produced by electricity actually a reality. There are electric tankless water heaters, sure, but they require massive amounts of power and don’t reliably produce enough water to supply a modern home. Wanderport, a manufacturer of these systems is claiming upwards of 6-7 gallons per minute which is directly on par with conventional tankless systems.

What’s potentially so great about these systems?

First off there is no venting needed, no holes in the walls, no venting proximity restrictions; these are huge barriers that gas or propane tankless systems face. On that same note, the conventional tankless systems sometimes require home owners to upgrade supply lines as units can consume upwards of 199,000 Btu’s.


Secondly a microwave unit has an efficiency of 99% and emits no pollution. The unit also doesn’t degrade over time as a conventional tankless does with calcium deposits and buildups in the various heat exchangers that they need.


So what’s the chances of you getting a microwave water heater in your home in the near future?

According to Wanderport, quite realistic. In fact they have a product on the verge of being released. Its already won an advanced technology award from the Toronto Construction Association.


Check out the future of water heating here.

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Things to Know.

Most of us have grown up with a standard tank type water heater.  As such we are used to the way our hot water system works.  Switching to a tankless water heater will have an affect on the way your hot water system works.

With a tank type heater, when you turn on a hot water faucet, the hot water, typically 140 degrees, immediately begins flowing through the pipe to get to your faucet.  As the water travels through the cold pi pe, it cools off until the piping material warms up.  That is why your hot water doesn’t instantly go from cold to hot; it has to warm up the pipes first.

Some homes have hot water circulating systems that circulate the hot water through the pipes to obtain instant hot water at every sink.  Circulating systems can save a lot of water.  They are wasteful of energy though, since the water heater will fire up more often to replace the heat being lost through the piping which acts like a big radiator even if the pipes are well insulated.

There are also pumping systems that pump the hot water to the fixture from the heater only when you want to use hot water and you don’t run any water down the drain. You still save the water and time, but you don’t waste water.

Tankless Systems

Tankless water heaters are being promoted as providing endless hot water and as being energy saving over traditional water heaters.  While both of these facts are true, there are other things to consider.

If you are considering replacing your tank type water heater with a tankless unit, and you have a typical house, make sure you get one large enough to do the job.  Since you are heating water as you use it, you must heat it much more quickly than a tank type heater so you need to add heat much more quickly.

For a gas type heater this means you will be using a lot more gas volume/ minute than with a tank type heater.  Your exhaust flue may need to be larger and the gas line might need to be upgraded. For electric units you might have to have special wiring put in to handle the high amperage loads created by an electric tankless water heater.

Tankless water heaters are typically much smaller than conventional tanks and are hung on the wall, resulting in a significant space savings.

Tankless water heaters can save you a modest amount of energy, typically around $20.00 – $40.00 a month. They are also eligible for home energy Grants and Rebates provided by the Government to aid in a speedy transition from the old energy consuming conventional tank to this new efficient technology.

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T-K3 – $1495.00

The T-K3 model, also known as the “Revolutionary T-K3,” is one of Takagi’s most versatile and powerful residential units. The T-K3 offers Easy-Link capability, which allows you to connect up to four units without the use of a controller unit. The T-K3 can also be converted to a direct vent model.

Compact Size:

Only 13.8 inches wide, the T-K3 can be recessed between wall studs for even more space savings! A special recess box is available for outdoor installations.

Lower Activating Flow Rate:

The T-K3 activates at only 0.5 GPM, which allows the use of smaller water flows in bathroom sinks and showers. This reduces water waste and allows for stable temperatures.

Parallel Installation:

Using Takagi’s Easy Link technology, the T-K3 can be installed in parallel with up to three other units without the use of an additional control box, generating more flow while saving money, space and installation time. Four T-K3 unites will deliver a total of 21.6 GPM at 60 degrees F delta T; or 26 GPM at a 50 degree F delta T.

Direct-Vent Conversion:

The T-K3 can be easily converted into a direct vent model for inside installations that need to import combustion air from outside.

Eight Temperature Settings:

Instead of the usual four settings, the T-K3 offers eight separate temperatures, set by dip-switch: 104 degree F, 113 degree F, 122 degree F, 131 degree F, 140 degree F, 158 degree F, 176 degree F, and 185 degree F. This versatility reduces the need for a separate remote control. However, setting temperatures other than the eight presets requires the TM-RE10 temperature controller.

Longer vent runs:

The T-K3 can have a vent pipe run up to 50 feet with five elbows, instead of the normal 35 with three elbows.
As you can see, the T-K3 incorporates all those “why-don’t-you-have-this?” features into this one new product. Its larger flow capacity through parallel connections will meet the hot-water needs of most high-volume residential applications and many commercial projects, too. In short, the T-K3 fills the gap between the single residential heater and multiple commercial T-M1 units. Performance depends on the temperature of the ground water of course: At a delta T of 60 degrees F in warmer areas – for example, where the winter ground water is 60 degrees F and with the output set at 122 degrees F – the T-K3 will provide a 5.4 GPM, or 324 GPH. In colder areas where the input temperature may be 40 degrees F or less, expect a flow rate about 4.1 GPM, or 246 GPH.

Price:

The Takagi T-K3 is currently selling for $1495.00 if interested fill out the form HERE

TK3 Specifications:

View or Download the Specifications Sheet – Click to View

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Tankless And Recirculation

Some Larger homes may require a recirculation loop so that hot water gets to the desired applications faster. They are commonly used with conventional tanks but certain tankless brands can also be used to fit the bill.

What is a ReCirculation Loop?

The loop usually runs the length of one side of the house and then back along the other side. It should be well insulated and have a continuous flow so that there is always hot water in the loop. This way when someone needs hot water at a shower on the other side of the house it only takes a few seconds for hot water to reach the user. If there wasn’t this recirculation loop the water would need to flow all the way from the other side of the house, this could take few minutes and waste gallons of water.

See the diagram below for a good example

Tankless Recirculation

There is not a lot of tankless water heaters that can suitable provide the demands of a recirculation loop. In fact some companies will cut the tankless warranty in half if it is used in a situation where a recirculation loop exists. There are others that don’t modify the warranty and depending on installation Rinnai is one of the brands that allows for a recirculation system. Make sure to talk to your plumber or contractor before begining as they’re a lot of factors to consider before installation.

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