[coach]

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?

[njgranny]

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.

[Villages Kahuna]

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.

[retiredguy]

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

[chuckinca]

Originally Posted by coach

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?

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 - - -

[Ooper]

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.

[SteveFromNY]

Originally Posted by Ooper

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.

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.

[zcaveman]

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.

[CTgolfer]

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.

[carlent]

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