Tankless Water Heater...

[bryjcom]

When I put tankless in I AWAYS go with the biggest and most efficient one I can get. Which is 199K BTU at about 95% efficient. The reason is that the incoming water temp is much colder during the winter months and it takes a lot more input to heat up that water in a short period of time. When that happens some of the smaller ones will start restricting the flow to meet target temp. That's when you get the complaints. If you're trying to go cheap, then forget about it. You won't be happy.


The "problem" with tankless is:

-They require 120 volts
-They require new venting most likely through the side of the house.
-They require a drain nearby
-They usually require an increased gas line to them.
-They require more water line piping/modification

The biggest problem for me is the electrical. I a lot of times have to get my electrician out there to wire me up a circuit.


This doesn't mean people shouldn't at least consider them.... But when you factor all those things in, we start getting past $3K and even into the $4k scenarios due to the amount of work I have to do.

If you're looking to penny pinch and buy one from the Amazon and have me put it in, then forget about it.. Find a craigslist warrior to do that. But if you're looking for endless hot water then you might consider it.

[Grant H.]

When I put tankless in I AWAYS go with the biggest and most efficient one I can get. Which is 199K BTU at about 95% efficient. The reason is that the incoming water temp is much colder during the winter months and it takes a lot more input to heat up that water in a short period of time. When that happens some of the smaller ones will start restricting the flow to meet target temp. That's when you get the complaints. If you're trying to go cheap, then forget about it. You won't be happy.


The "problem" with tankless is:

-They require 120 volts - 100% available, I can also have the electrician from work put a dedicated circuit in if you would prefer.
-They require new venting most likely through the side of the house. - Not an issue. Utility room has an exterior wall with a dryer vent already.
-They require a drain nearby - Already available in the floor.
-They usually require an increased gas line to them - I will double check, but I think I already have a 3/4" line for the furnace and water heater.
-They require more water line piping/modification - Understood, but would like to see a quote.

The biggest problem for me is the electrical. I a lot of times have to get my electrician out there to wire me up a circuit.


This doesn't mean people shouldn't at least consider them.... But when you factor all those things in, we start getting past $3K and even into the $4k scenarios due to the amount of work I have to do.

If you're looking to penny pinch and buy one from the Amazon and have me put it in, then forget about it.. Find a craigslist warrior to do that. But if you're looking for endless hot water then you might consider it.

Answers above.

Everyone I know that has bought one like you are recommending, has been extremely happy with them. This house is also nicely setup for one, since all the showers/faucets in the house are within 10-20ft of the utility closet, not all the way across the house.

[DFBrews]

I just put a 200k btu one in my parents house this spring they really like it so far. Wiawela is the brand from a cold start in the morning for example it's about 30 seconds to get hot water out. This is with 50 degree well water as well

[Circuits]

Unless the plumber is selling you the tankless, don't even bother.

I bought a tankless water heater, and asked for installation quotes from ten different area firms. Only two showed up to survey and give an estimate, and none of them even ended up giving me an estimate - they just didn't want to do the job unless they were making the money on the water heater, in addition to the cost of the installation. YMMV.