+- MacResource (https://forums.macresource.com)
+-- Forum: My Category (https://forums.macresource.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=1)
+--- Forum: Tips and Deals (https://forums.macresource.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=3)
+--- Thread: Tankless Gas Hot Water Heater? (/showthread.php?tid=80493)
Pages:
1
2
Tankless Gas Hot Water Heater? - wowzer - 06-30-2009
Has anyone installed a gas based tankless hot water heater? I've only read about electric, which I gather is more efficient because it does not need to keep water hot. Is the gas based ones any good? What (if anything) does one need to install such a beast? Would it be mandatory to use a licensed plumber?
Just curious because my old (at least 10 yrs) gas based hot water heater is starting to go (rust on the outside with condensation). I was planning on getting one from Lowe's (highest quality) and have some handymen install it.
Any advice is appreciated. Thanks..
Re: Tankless Gas Hot Water Heater? - WHiiP - 06-30-2009
Natural gas or propane will be much more efficient than electricity in heating that water... especially tankless.
http://remodelhomeguide.com/tankless-water-heater/tankless-water-heater-overview.html?gclid=CIGD2uH0sJsCFSBN5QodbyabOg
Re: Tankless Gas Hot Water Heater? - lafinfil - 06-30-2009
"What (if anything) does one need to install such a beast? Would it be mandatory to use a licensed plumber?"
You will likely need to have a new gas line run to the WH - it takes a bigger one to supply the
increased BTUs needed for an instant use / tankless unit (bigger than a stand by system)
It also needs to have a new vent system installed which likely means cutting through the sidewall of the house.
It's probably a bit more advanced than typical handyman work - but that depends on the handyman,
I just wouldn't want to be his first one.
Re: Tankless Gas Hot Water Heater? - M>B> - 06-30-2009
I installed a propane one when I did major remodeling 20+ years ago. They have probably come a long way since then. Make sure that it is properly sized to your needs, if not you might not have a good experience when you are taking a shower and someone runs the dish/laundry washer!
It is the original unit, but I have rebuilt it a couple of times using a factory kit. Might not be necessary these days.
My propane provides can't believe that I heat hot water, based on my gas usage, then I mention that it is a tankless heater, and they say oh!
If you could replace the existing water heater yourself then you could install the tankless, after it is too a replacement. Same in and out water connections, gas and vent. Though a few connections might have to be moved or altered.
This Old House had a recent episode on this recently.
Also, Lowes usually has a list of installers that they recommend.
edit: I should of mentioned that I am a single person and it only becomes a minor problem when I have visitors for the weekend.
Re: Tankless Gas Hot Water Heater? - Plumbking - 06-30-2009
Electric instantaneous water heater is probably not an option for your house. ( You don't have enough power to make it work or enough money to pay the electric bill).
Gas instantaneous water heater could work well in an ideal situation.
To replace a conventional gas water heater with a tankless one you need to:
1) Increase the size of the gas line
2) Add a dedicated circuit for electronic ignition
3) Install a special flue
4) Schedule when you want to take showers and do dishes or laundry
Tankless or instantaneous water heaters are based on GPM (gallons per minute). How many gallons can a water heater raise from 60F to 120F. Typical tankless heaters do it in about 9 GPM.
Pros:
No heating of stored water (energy savings)
Cons:
Expensive (cost of equipment and upgraded installation)
Is not conducive to American lifestyle ( doing dishes, laundry and shower at the same time)
My personal opinion:
Excellent application would be for a 1 bathroom apartment, town home, condo as a new installation. It is almost cost prohibitive to replace an existing water heater with a tankless one. Although energy rates vary around the country here in California natural gas is way cheaper the electricty. Heating water with electric elements is insane. With tankless the power needed to heat water would be astronomical. I couldn't even afford it
SF Bay Area prices the flat rate cost to swap out a 40 gal gas water heater will be between $1500 - $2000. To swap a 40 gallon heater with a tankless (Rinnai http://www.rinnai.us/, Takagi http://www.takagi.com/etc.) $4000 - $5000. You can pay for ALOT of natural gas for the difference and still enjoy the flexability of an tank heater.
If you REALLY want to be green:
Install a tankless or two (one at each end of the house) and supplement with solar panels. It will take many years to recoup the installation cost but you will feel good about it.
If you're frugal:
Replace you old 40 with a new 50. Same gas consumption, few more gallons, and thousands more in you're pockets not mine.
Re: Tankless Gas Hot Water Heater? - NewtonMP2100 - 06-30-2009
. . .I feel sorry for water heater installers. . .it can be a tankless job. . .
Re: Tankless Gas Hot Water Heater? - wowzer - 06-30-2009
NewtonMP2100 wrote:
. . .I feel sorry for water heater installers. . .it can be a tankless job. . .
Newt- that's a dry joke...can't believe such a talented person such as yourself would resort to this one.
Re: Tankless Gas Hot Water Heater? - wowzer - 06-30-2009
Okay...thanks for the advice. I think I'll go with the 50 gal and save a few dollars.
Does it matter if I buy one with the insulation around the unit? My old one did not have insulation...
Re: Tankless Gas Hot Water Heater? - Mike Sellers - 06-30-2009
If you're still planning on getting one from Lowe's, stay away from the Whirlpools. They have a bad reputation.
Re: Tankless Gas Hot Water Heater? - Kiva - 06-30-2009
the plumber i've used for years pooh-poohs them as well. Same as above...cost prohibitive, maintenance, etc.
kiva