[DangeloInspections]

Now that tankless water heaters will be an option for new homes in Fenney, I thought I would post this short article on them. Understand that this article focuses on GAS water heaters, not electric tankless ones, (which are rare here due to the high amount of electricity they take, usually 3 40 amp breakers).


Water heater replacement: pros and cons of tankless water heaters - Structure Tech Home Inspections Structure Tech Home Inspections

I have installed these tankless heaters in homes up north, and some folks love them....however, they are not without controversy. Hope you enjoy the article. The article does not go into them, but there are now even other options out there now, like electric hybrid heat pump water heaters, etc.

Bottom line is that there is something to be said for simple and dependable....a basic electric water heater most have in the newer homes, no circuit boards, etc. One cannot wait weeks for a replacement part when you need hot water daily...

Folks have different opinions, just thought some folks may find this interesting, as newer buyers may have this option to consider.

Respectfully, Frank

[Reiver]

Good advice. Not long ago I looked into on-demand heaters. This was the article that helped me make up my mind:
Pros and cons of tankless water heaters

[RickeyD]

Originally Posted by DangeloInspections

Now that tankless water heaters will be an option for new homes in Fenney, I thought I would post this short article on them. Understand that this article focuses on GAS water heaters, not electric tankless ones, (which are rare here due to the high amount of electricity they take, usually 3 40 amp breakers).





Water heater replacement: pros and cons of tankless water heaters - Structure Tech Home Inspections Structure Tech Home Inspections



I have installed these tankless heaters in homes up north, and some folks love them....however, they are not without controversy. Hope you enjoy the article. The article does not go into them, but there are now even other options out there now, like electric hybrid heat pump water heaters, etc.



Bottom line is that there is something to be said for simple and dependable....a basic electric water heater most have in the newer homes, no circuit boards, etc. One cannot wait weeks for a replacement part when you need hot water daily...



Folks have different opinions, just thought some folks may find this interesting, as newer buyers may have this option to consider.



Respectfully, Frank

Exactly Frank ! Making water hot is not nor should it be complicated. If the bottom line is saving money (unless one is a tech geek), reinventing the wheel is not necessary.

[Spikearoni]

Thank you Frank for submitting that very informative article on tankless water heaters.

[Chatbrat]

Talking about hot water heaters, how or why, should a hot water heater be allowed in a location, where its impossible to remove the sacrificial anode, without draining the tank & physically moving the hot water heater--code enforcement officials should be ashamed of themselves-This makes a required maintenance procedure difficult & costly-its the same labor as installing a new hot water heater

[DangeloInspections]

Originally Posted by Chatbrat

Talking about hot water heaters, how or why, should a hot water heater be allowed in a location, where its impossible to remove the sacrificial anode, without draining the tank & physically moving the hot water heater--code enforcement officials should be ashamed of themselves-This makes a required maintenance procedure difficult & costly-its the same labor as installing a new hot water heater

Haha....I agree. Also, most of the time one cannot get to the shrader valve on top of the pressure tank above the water heater. I suppose one could cut a hole in the ceiling and take it out through the attic.....but I do agree with you. Most folks however never even drain their tanks or do much of any maintenance. About two years ago The Villages changed the drain valves of the water heaters....they used to not be straight ball valves and it was impossible to easily drain. I kind of fought for that upgrade.

Frank

[Chatbrat]

And, the drain valve is so close to shallow plastic pan, you can get a hose on it, the only way to get a hose on it, you will have to cut the pan--in general a lousy installation-- the only worse one I have see, in NC you can have a hot water heater in the attic.

[retiredguy123]

In The Villages, if you wake up and have no hot water, there are at least 5 plumbers you can call who will repair it or install a new water heater within 24 hours. If you have a tankless water heater, how long will you be without hot water? That is why I will stay with the old style water heater.

[Boomer]

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

This decision has been under discussion for our other place.

Soaker tub pending. Old School Me wants just a bigger water heater.

Midwest basement. Room not a problem. Natural gas.

Your links were called to the attention of Mr. B.

Those links to excellent sources were the deciding factor.

(You just never know how far the influence of your posts may reach. This thread made my day!)

[tuccillo]

I know people who have had gas (natural and propane) tankless water heaters for 10 years without any issues. Due to scale buildup, a water softener is probably a good idea and people I know with tankless water heaters have water softeners.

In our previous home (not in the Villages), we went all electric and I had the builder put in a Marathon electric water heater. The tank is fiberglass so a sacrificial anode is not required. In addition to having substantial insulation to reduce standby losses, they last a very long time. I did discuss a tankless electric water heater with my builder but he had had bad results with them and discouraged us from going the route. When we need to replace the builder-grade water heater, I will have a Marathon installed if it will fit in the limited space we have. They are a bit larger than regular tank water heaters because of the insulation. I think simple is generally better and tankless is not as simple as a tank water heater.

Originally Posted by DangeloInspections

Now that tankless water heaters will be an option for new homes in Fenney, I thought I would post this short article on them. Understand that this article focuses on GAS water heaters, not electric tankless ones, (which are rare here due to the high amount of electricity they take, usually 3 40 amp breakers).


Water heater replacement: pros and cons of tankless water heaters - Structure Tech Home Inspections Structure Tech Home Inspections

I have installed these tankless heaters in homes up north, and some folks love them....however, they are not without controversy. Hope you enjoy the article. The article does not go into them, but there are now even other options out there now, like electric hybrid heat pump water heaters, etc.

Bottom line is that there is something to be said for simple and dependable....a basic electric water heater most have in the newer homes, no circuit boards, etc. One cannot wait weeks for a replacement part when you need hot water daily...

Folks have different opinions, just thought some folks may find this interesting, as newer buyers may have this option to consider.

Respectfully, Frank

[Boomer]

Originally Posted by Reiver

Good advice. Not long ago I looked into on-demand heaters. This was the article that helped me make up my mind:
Pros and cons of tankless water heaters

Reiver,

I just watched the highly informative You Tube video near the end of your link. That short, little video answered all my questions about tankless water heaters. It made me laugh out loud. I actually watched it twice. Thanks!

[DangeloInspections]

I have an update for everyone interested on this subject.

This morning I had the pleasure of doing an inspection with a person who works for The Villages in design. She told me they recently had a teaching on this subject.

They were told by Rheem, the brand that The Villages will be installing that Rheem is not requiring the homeowners to have the units professionally maintained every year to keep the warranty intact. She further informed me that the yearly maintenance will be very easy for the homeowner to do themselves at no cost.

This changes one of the biggest objections to having a tankless water heater. That being said, there are still pros and cons for each type of water heater available, and I would always suggest a careful amount of research be done before one chooses the type they order.

I just wanted to share this update so I did not accidently pass on false information.

Respectfully, Frank D.

[pauld315]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

In The Villages, if you wake up and have no hot water, there are at least 5 plumbers you can call who will repair it or install a new water heater within 24 hours. If you have a tankless water heater, how long will you be without hot water? That is why I will stay with the old style water heater.

Any plumber can do the same with a tankless hot water heater as well. These are not new technology. I have had mine for 9 years now.

[normandy]

Frank that was a great info article, we just happen to talking about a new gas heater or tankless water heater . Our friday had you installed by gas company here in the villages, he likes it, but we are not sure, do you install the beter tankless water heater here also??? Norm/dee

[normandy]

Originally Posted by normandy

Frank that was a great info article, we just happen to talking about a new gas heater or tankless water heater . Our friday had you installed by gas company here in the villages, he likes it, but we are not sure, do you install the beter tankless water heater here also??? Norm/dee