OT- Tankless water heater?

[DgenR8]

The time for a new water heater is quickly approaching. I think I like the idea of a tankless replacement.
Anyone have experiences to share? Easy to install? I have a torch and I can sweat fittings, I don't see why I couldn't install it myself.

 

[TimLikesFish]

The biggest thing that's often overlooked is to make sure you have enough BTU's of gas in your house and the piping going to the WH is large enough. Tankless units use a lot more BTU's thus requiring more gas.

 

[drej424]

Larry, my husband has installed them in a few houses. They are very energy efficient now. If you want to ask him about them, I can pm you his number.

 

[jwill275]

My understanding is they are efficient, but if you have a large household or need a lot of hot water it may not be what you need.

 

[George_G]

Larry, I have wanted one of these for years. Thought it would save a lot of money -- my hot water is built into my oil burner and the damn thing burns oil all Summer long just for hot water. Not to mention it's in my sump/fish room and I need to keep an air conditioner running to counteract the heat from the oil burner! Terribly inefficient!

My electrician talked me into an electric hot water heater as an alternative. Now I can simply flip off the oil burner switch for the whole Summer. In his opinion this was a more cost effective method than a tankless water heater. Have had it for a year now and very happy with it.

George
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[MAGNUMDIVER]

What type of tankless are you thinking about gas or electric? The tankless work well if you are only running one thing at a time. If you are in that shower and somebody runs the hot water in the sink, laundry, dishwasher etc you will loose the hot water. But you can take shower after shower and not run out.

 

[ecdragonz]

I have put in a lot of tankless water heater .their real nice.I am a plumber if you need.

 

[DgenR8]

My current water heater is gas, I think I'd want to stick with gas. The piping appears to be 3/4". How do I determine if there's a large enough gas supply to feed a tankless heater?
My electric bill is already astronomical. I can't imagine that an electric tankless heater would be the way for me to go. I do have 220 service, but I don't have a 220 outlet anywhere near where my water heater lives now. I'm pretty sure gas is the right way for me to go.

 

[ecdragonz]

You will be fine with the 3/4 gas line.You will have plenty of gas.its 110 and gas.

 

[ecdragonz]

There very energy efficient.

 

[DgenR8]

Is there a specific manufacturer or model that you would recommend? I have a fairly small house, 4 people. We're all pretty used to not using water while someone is in the shower, the pressure drop causes temperature fluctuations.

 

[DgenR8]

You will be fine with the 3/4 gas line.You will have plenty of gas.its 110 and gas.

Obviously, I thought it would be 220V. Knowing that I can get an electric one that runs on 110V does make me more willing to consider electric, but I think I still prefer gas.
Denise, I may be sending you a PM.

 

[billsreef]

Larry,

My hot water and heat in Mattituck is tankless. Never had a problem with adequate hot water supply. Since they work on demand, even in the summer it's just running when you actually need hot water. The tank systems run just to keep the water up to temp, even when your not using it.

 

[DgenR8]

Larry,

My hot water and heat in Mattituck is tankless. Never had a problem with adequate hot water supply. Since they work on demand, even in the summer it's just running when you actually need hot water. The tank systems run just to keep the water up to temp, even when your not using it.

I have a handle on that, Bill. The two reasons for wanting to go tankless are efficiency, (not using energy unless there's a demand for hot water) and space.
I'm pretty sure I want to go tankless, all I really need now is to know who makes a good product.

 

[qy7400]

Tankless still needs 110 for electronic ignition and supply valve.

 

[DgenR8]

Tankless still needs 110 for electronic ignition and supply valve.

I can handle that, I have a fish tank :lol: Seriously, I can safely supply that, and I can mount it to the side of my chimney. I assume it needs to be vented (gas), and that I can use the existing breech in the chimney to do that?

 

[qy7400]

Existing gas hot water heater right? As long as the exhaust size match and you can keep the horizontal pitch should be OK but always best to check local code or with a pro.

 

[Kurtl000]

What else do you have that's natural gas? Your meter and piping might be insufficient.

 

[johnike]

Larry, Richard R_Hudson in the Lounge has done a bunch and can recommend brands.

 

[ecdragonz]

The one's I put in the most are navien and takagi.ther both gas and and use 110 for power.both are really nice units.I can send you some pics of some we installed.