Tankless Water Heater
 

I know previous threads have discussed the merits of tankless heaters, and several folks have said they installed them up north. However, I could find no comments by anyone who's put one in here.

So has anybody installed a tankless water heater in TV?
Approximately what was the cost, including installation?
Who did you use to do the work (a dealer or independent plumber), and were you satisfied?
What make/model did you decide upon and does it provide enough hot water in a timely manner?

Any help/advice appreciated.

Re: Tankless Water Heater
 

The latest issue of Consumer Reports (Oct 08) has a two page article on tankless water heaters. Quick summary is that they are efficient but not necessarily economical as the pay off might take years (up to 22 with one model tested)

Probably worthwhile to wander over to Barnes and Noble and check out CR if thinking about one.

Re: Tankless Water Heater
 

Check out this link

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/sm...ic,3147.0.html

a very VERY ........ long.......... . discussion on hot water

Re: Tankless Water Heater
 

I've been looking into this system Muncle,the company that put my solar tubes in sell them.
http://www.grundfos.com/Web/HomeUs.n...ag/PAVA-53MKRN

Re: Tankless Water Heater
 

We priced a tankless water (gas is far more efficient) and based on the our water usage the cost of $2500 was not worth the expense. Our breakeven would be in 16 years and frankly I will never be alive to see that happen.

Re: Tankless Water Heater
 

We would not consider one for the very reasons cited, compounded by our being snowbirds. I won't live long enough to see the payback....

Re: Tankless Water Heater
 

There is a long payback period for tankless heaters, but what you are paying for is not economical payback... you are paying for convenience... the convenience to have relatively quick hot water at the point of usage since they can be installed in closets or under sinks. You do not have to wait for the hot water to travel from the garage to the opposite end of the house. This is assuming you install the heater near the point of usage and not in the garage. Installing it in the garage is really self defeating the purpose.

Re: Tankless Water Heater
 

One thing to keep in mind is that each of our showers, has a regulator in them to make sure that we don't burn ourselves by accident. My hot water heater is about 20 feet from the shower. It still takes several minutes for the water to get hot. Even if you put the tankless system right next to your bathroom, it will still take some time before the regulator lets the water get hot. I don't think you are gaining anything by putting a tankless system in, IMHO. Also, as mentioned previously, the payback time is long after most of us will be here. :'(

Re: Tankless Water Heater
 

Should you decide to get a tankless water heater, beware. I had one in my home and when it broke down, we had a devil of a time finding any plumber to fix it. When I did find one, they had to call to Houston, TX in order to find parts to fix it. It lasted less than six months and broke down again. At that, we went back to a conventional gas water heater.

So.....If you do decide to get one, make sure that the company you purchase it from and who is the installer of said water heater, that they are also able to have parts readily available, and can indeed fix it.

Good Luck :)

Re: Tankless Water Heater
 

TOTV is just the greatest. u learn something new everyday! :bigthumbsup:

Re: Tankless Water Heater
 

For $2500, I can wait a few minutes for my morning shower. After all, we're retired!

Re: Tankless Water Heater
 

ejp52,
Have you been given an estimate on the cost of the Grundfos hot water recirculation system (parts/labor)? Very much interested...

Re: Tankless Water Heater
 

$585 installed.

Re: Tankless Water Heater
 

Biggest user of hot water has to be the daily shower, if you want to save $, only run water in shower when you need it, if you know what I mean, now figure how long it takes to pay back the tankless water heater.

Re: Tankless Water Heater
 

Gas tankless water heater - $1,300 for everything, installed (inside garage).

Re: Tankless Water Heater
 

I must be missing something. How does a tankless water heater in the garage make much improvement from a hot water heater in the garage. Doesn't the water still have to travel from the garage to the bedroom shower?

Re: Tankless Water Heater
 

Our tankless (gas) water heater was no way near $2500. It was around $500 and my husband installed it. Got it from Home Depot. The installer wanted around $700 to install it, and said it was because of the electric hookups. The heater has batteries - no hard-wired electric involved. That's when my DH said he'd do it himself.

We had our refrigerator repaired today and the repair person said that GE is selling electric tankless heaters now for around $250.

We never have to wait long for hot water.

Re: Tankless Water Heater
 

Sneese's observation i an important one. I've had four tankless water heaters in two houses. They are the greatest and I will probably replace the 40-gallon tank that came with our house. But when I choose a model, I will make certain that the company has a network of properly trained service people in our area. My research so far indicates that Noritz has such a network. They are also a popular and highly-rated line of heaters.

You really do need to do your research in order to choose the correct model. Noritz makes one that you could almost certainly have installed for less than $1200-1300. On that basis, for a household of two the "payback" would be far, far less than 22 years. But the real payback is the endless supply of hot water and the 25-year life expectancy for the units. I can tell you from personal experience that you will notice a difference in your gas bill.

By the way, I would not recommend an electric tankless heater. The response time is notably slower than gas in actually "making" hot water.

Re: Tankless Water Heater
 

Coach: We have a 2-story house. Works great.

Re: Tankless Water Heater
 

Save on power to keep the water hot all the time.

The transit time and cost of wasted cold water from any remote heater to the shower is minimal. 80 lineal feet of 3/4" copper pipe has 2 gallons of water in it - - -

Re: Tankless Water Heater
 

Coach... A benefit for a tankless is the ability to locate it near a point of usage so you don't have to wait for the hot water. BUT... I think the main reason tankless heaters came into being was to save energy. The standard hot water tank has to cycle on and off to keep a reservoir of water hot at a preset temperature, whether you are using it or not. A tankless on the other hand, only heats water when a sensor senses flowing water when somebody turns the hot water faucet on. When you go away on vacation or home for the summer, your standard hot water heater keeps on heating, unless you turn it off. The tankless will not uses any energy under the same conditions.

Re: Tankless Water Heater
 

It would also save a lot of water I would think as well as saving energy to heat the water. If the water doesn't have to run for a long time you'll save probably a few gallons every time you need hot water.

Re: Tankless Water Heater
 

I was really thinking about a tankless water heater.

I spend $25 a month on gas (includes cooking). We shower separately every night (not my decision). I cannot see how putting in a tankless water heater is going to save me much money - especially at the prices mentioned for the waterless heater itself plus installation and repairs.

I will stick with the gas-driven hot water heater I have.

Re: Tankless Water Heater
 

I had my husband read all of your wonderful info regarding tankless water heaters. He's been anxious to replace our standard water heater that is around 8 years old. He agrees with everything said here; i.e., return on investment, etc. What he hasn't seen mentioned is the reason why he wants to replace ours, specifically, our water heater is located in our lower level that has been finished. A neighbor also had a finished basement and their water heater broke and left them with several inches of water that ruined their wallboard, carpeting and furniture. He realizes this may not be an issue in Florida, but certainly one that he is concerned about. Seems the life expectancy of the water heater we have is around 8-10 years.

Re: Tankless Water Heater
 

Having a tankless Hot Water Heater has nothing at all to do with getting hot water faster. We had one in our home in Hollywood Florida and it heated the water in both the house and a guest cottage in back of the house. It was gas and it was terrific. Never a problem. It is all about energy savings. You do not need to keep a 40 gallon or larger tank of water boiling in your house forever. Think of that......tankless uses water only on demand.
Highly recommend a gas unit. We bought it from the gas company and they installed it and they paid for 1/2 of it on an incentive program. Call your local gas utiluty. by the way, i t was installed outside on the side of the house.

Carlent