The American Heat Electric Tankless Water Heater: How does it Work?

SELF MODULATING Technology with Digital Controller and Display - Designed by American Tankless Water Heater Founder/Chairman /Inventor improved tankless water heater technology by automatically  increasing or decreasing energy consumption based on the inlet water temperature and flow rate of  water. The revolutionary patent pending SELF MODULATING Technology with Digital Controller is unique to our units and cannot be found on any other tankless be it electric or gas.

American Tankless Water Heater founder also invented and holds the Patent on NASA designed Flow Switch Patent # 6,552,283. This Patent is for a Flow Switch design that was a solution at the time but technology and consumer demand called for BETTER and IMPROVED tankless water heaters that would SELF REGULATE based on demand. The NASA design Flow Switch Patent owned and invented by Carlos Cabrera doesn't have a SELF REGULATING capability and therefore the New Smart Technology controllers were designed to improve and allow for greater energy savings making the Flow Switch Technology OBSELETE.

 The American Heat electric tankless water heater is a marvel of technology and engineering - overflowing with technology yet packaged in an intelligent, simple design. It heats water entirely on demand, only when it is needed.

When a hot water faucet is turned on and the water begins to flow, a sophisticated flow sensor detects that hot water is being demanded and turns the water heater on. Instantaneously, a series of sensors gather information about the flow rate of the water and the incoming water temperature. This information is sent to a microprocessor which calculates the amount of power needed to heat the water to the temperature set point. The water flows across the internal heating elements and exits the unit at the desired temperature. The start-up process takes a couple of seconds. A convenient thermostatic control and digital display on the front of the unit allows the homeowner to select an output temperature of between 80 and 125F.

The sensors continue to monitor the water flow rate and incoming water temperature as long as the water is running. They send constant and continuous data to the microprocessor so power to the heating elements can be modulated in accordance with changes in incoming flow rate and temperature. If, for instance, the flow rate increases because a second demand for hot water in the home is initiated, the unit will increase its power output to maintain a consistent and precise output temperature.

The tankless water heater will remain on until the hot water faucet is closed. As soon as the flow sensor detects that water has stopped flowing, the power to the unit is completely turned off.

All American Heat Tankless Water Heaters series AH are manufactured in the USA with quality North American components. Each American Heat Tankless Water Heater must pass a rigorous three phase testing and inspection process prior to shipment.

_{Pressure Integrity Test}
^{Each unit is pressure tested at 180 PSI to insure against leaks. This is over 3.5 times the water pressure that the unit will experience in a typical residential installation. Please see the internal view of the American Tankless Water Heater (Model 220 shown) below for more details. All of the models utilize the same parts and technology, but have varying sizes and numbers of heating elements.}

Electrical Integrity Test
Each unit is connected to a special testing module that sends a 1,000 volt current surging through the unit for 1 millisecond to verify that there are no short circuits and that the unit's circuitry is properly configured.

Specifications Level Test
Each unit is temporarily attached to a testing station that duplicates the conditions present in a typical installation. The unit is turned on and the temperature of the water produced by the unit is measured at several flow rates to insure that the proper temperature rise specifications are met and that the unit self-regulates with the varying flow rates.

Electronics and Computer Chip
The brains of the system…sophisticated micro-processor based electronics control the power output of the heating elements based on flow rate and incoming water temperature to precisely regulate the output water temp.

User Temperature Controls
Simplicity at its finest! Set it and forget it - use the simple push button controls to raise or lower the temperature setting of your unit. A convenient digital display shows the current temperature setting whenever the unit is running. You can set the temperature at any level between 80F (27C) and 125F (52C) in increments of 5F. To change the digital display from Fahrenheit to Celsius, simply press both buttons at the same time. It's just that easy!

 Sensors
A series of sensors monitor the water flow rate as well as incoming and output water temperatures. These sensors sent vital information to the micro-processor on a constant and ongoing basis to help maintain the precise output temperature selected by the user.

 Time Proportional Triggering Devices (TRIAC)
Each heating element is served by a TRIAC which regulates power to the heating element. TRAICS allow the control of very large power flows with milliampere-scale precision. The TRIACS are mounted on a heat-diffusing plate which in turn is cooled by the water flowing through the inlet water line.

 Terminal Block
Handles the incoming wiring from the electrical sub-panel that is supplied with the unit. For your convenience, the wires that connect the tankless water heater to the electrical sub-panel are pre-wired to the terminal block when you receive your unit.

 Heating Elements
The brawn of the system…a series of very high power heating elements are used to heat the water as it passes through the heating chambers. The heating elements are coated with stainless steel to resist dissolved minerals such as calcium (hard water) and iron.

 Hi-Limit Thermal Protection with Automatic Reset
Each heating element is protected by its own automatic thermal limit switch which will turn off the heating element if a potentially unsafe output water temperature is reached (approx. 140F). This reduces the risk for scalding injuries and protects the unit from damage in the event of a power surge or other unusual event. Most competitors' models use thermal limit switches that must be manually reset when triggered - this is inconvenient

Heating Chambers
No messing around with cheap plastics here! The heating chambers are the heart of the American tankless water heater. They are made of copper and brass welded together with silver to resist the expansion and contraction of the metals caused by rapid heated and cooling. Further, they are manufactured by hand to ensure precision.

Aluminum Case
Once again, no plastics here! The whole package is housed in a solid heat-resistant, attractively-finished aluminum case, thereby protecting internal components from dust, debris and physical damage. The aluminum case also features a built-in mounting bracket to securely fix the unit to the wall at all four corners.

Electrical Sub-Panel and Breakers
To meet electrical codes in the USA and Canada, tankless water heaters need to be installed with an electrical sub-panel in most instances. When you buy from us, we include an electrical sub-panel and the associated breakers. American Tankless Water Heater Corp. and other reputable manufacturers meet this requirement, unfortunately, many don't...so be careful when comparing to other brands to ensure they meet safety standards and your local electrical codes, and that there are no hidden costs when it comes time for installation. (Note: breaker for main electrical panel to be supplied by the installer/purchaser).

 CALL TOLL FREE 888-818-4328