Tankless Water Heater guys

[Ingomike]

No experience, but my gas WH is 27 years old with zero attempts to do any maintenance on it. Just a cheap 40 gallon Menards purchase in 96.

That is definitely an outlier. Without a water softener mine typically lasted six years then when the water was slightly softened (I do not like soft water feel) they would last ten years.

 

[Shadow01]

That is definitely an outlier. Without a water softener mine typically lasted six years then when the water was slightly softened (I do not like soft water feel) they would last ten years.

I know it’s time is short. I just give it a nice pat every time I go past it.

 

[Sigblitz]

I woke up yesterday to a leaking water heater. Shut off valve didn't close all the way. Two other drips to washer and ice maker. Fun day.
And today my Chevy Cruze won't get up to temp so no fan. I have a temp sensor unplugged so the fan runs on high. Going to drain it, put in new sensors, and pull the thermostat.

 

[Hatchet601]

It looks like our tank WH is going to need replaced soon. 10years old. It is a powered vent unit so cost is going to be comparable to tankless units. Anyone knowledgeable on the current state of tankless vs tank? We do have hard water and a water softener already. It looks like the existing gas line is 1” and feeds the furnace as well ~70k btu I believe.

Will they really last the 20 years they claim with proper maintenance?

Efficiency wise Tankless are great for 1-2 people - but because they take so much gas to heat water quickly they do reduce the efficiency gains the more you use them. Sounds crazy but it’s just about now efficiently it can warm water and how much heat goes up the flue.

 

[Ingomike]

Efficiency wise Tankless are great for 1-2 people - but because they take so much gas to heat water quickly they do reduce the efficiency gains the more you use them. Sounds crazy but it’s just about now efficiently it can warm water and how much heat goes up the flue.

True and fake news simultaneously. No matter the usage, they still are more efficient.

“For homes that use 41 gallons or less of hot water daily, demand water heaters can be 24%–34% more energy efficient than conventional storage tank water heaters. They can be 8%–14% more energy efficient for homes that use a lot of hot water -- around 86 gallons per day.”

Tankless or Demand-Type Water Heaters

Looking to save money and energy? A tankless water heater might be the right choice for your small household.

www.energy.gov

 

[OZZY.40]

If you go with an electric model, check with your electric company first. They tend to break transformers and the power company can charge you to replace it.

 

[Hatchet601]

True and fake news simultaneously. No matter the usage, they still are more efficient.

“For homes that use 41 gallons or less of hot water daily, demand water heaters can be 24%–34% more energy efficient than conventional storage tank water heaters. They can be 8%–14% more energy efficient for homes that use a lot of hot water -- around 86 gallons per day.”

Tankless or Demand-Type Water Heaters

Looking to save money and energy? A tankless water heater might be the right choice for your small household.

www.energy.gov

Good info - so still better just not a ton better if you use a lot of water. Would then depend on gas cost to see how long the pay off would take comparing the cost of tank vs tankless

 

[jkaetz]

Efficiency wise Tankless are great for 1-2 people - but because they take so much gas to heat water quickly they do reduce the efficiency gains the more you use them. Sounds crazy but it’s just about now efficiently it can warm water and how much heat goes up the flue.

Wasn't really going for savings on efficiency, more the ability for 4 or 5 showers in quick succession.

Also this was replacing a power vent tank. These are 2 - 3x the cost of a simple convection tank for some reason.

 

[Hatchet601]

Wasn't really going for savings on efficiency, more the ability for 4 or 5 showers in quick succession.

Also this was replacing a power vent tank. These are 2 - 3x the cost of a simple convection tank for some reason.

I think you will be happy with the performance for sure!

 

[jkaetz]

I think you will be happy with the performance for sure!

Oh yes, just this morning we had two showers going and filled a tub with no problem.

 

[Creedmoor]

Good info - so still better just not a ton better if you use a lot of water. Would then depend on gas cost to see how long the pay off would take comparing the cost of tank vs tankless

One of the big pluses with going tankless is mine can sit for 22 hours or weeks and my utilitys dont change.

 

[Hatchet601]

One of the big pluses with going tankless is mine can sit for 22 hours or weeks and my utilitys dont change.

Very true!

 

[ancjr]

I think the best part about ours was that we had more room. But boy did the lights dim when it was on.

 

[MinuteManMike]

Can you make the tankless ones run HOT? I mean, really hot? I read that the brand I have, if you turned the heat level over like 2 out of 10, they would fail. And mine did. So what the heck is the point of a hot water thermostat that cannot use 80% of its range??????

 

[Ingomike]

Can you make the tankless ones run HOT? I mean, really hot? I read that the brand I have, if you turned the heat level over like 2 out of 10, they would fail. And mine did. So what the heck is the point of a hot water thermostat that cannot use 80% of its range??????

My Navien is set at 140 and it does everything I need. It will go to 180 but warranty is cut in half as that is commercial mode.

 

[Sigblitz]

I woke up yesterday to a leaking water heater. Shut off valve didn't close all the way. Two other drips to washer and ice maker. Fun day.
And today my Chevy Cruze won't get up to temp so no fan. I have a temp sensor unplugged so the fan runs on high. Going to drain it, put in new sensors, and pull the thermostat.

Bad sensor on the Cruze. Temp reads ok now but still no low fan. New resistor incoming.
Since this is water heater thread, the new one is working fine.

 

[dudley0]

I put a tankless gas in my place. Was getting error messages about vents being restricted. Tested the theory and couldn't find the issue. Mounted close to outside wall with only one 90 and one 45 bend. Got it going by removing the venting pulling in fresh air and sealing the hole up going outside. Inside is in mechanical room tied to sealed crawlspace so plenty of air. Go figure.

Haven't had an issue with it for a couple months now.

T-stat only goes up to 120, but that seems to be plenty warm for us.

 

[CTC B4Z]

140 and I have a Richmond I believe.

Only 2 of us with 1 bathroom.

Our dishwasher and clothes washer run every other day, lots of dog baths, sometimes fill up the hot tub. Sometimes wash cars in winter with it turned down to like 100°

 

[Ingomike]

Can you make the tankless ones run HOT? I mean, really hot? I read that the brand I have, if you turned the heat level over like 2 out of 10, they would fail. And mine did. So what the heck is the point of a hot water thermostat that cannot use 80% of its range??????

I will also add that I get water so hot it is steaming at the sinks and showers…

 

[MinuteManMike]

I also hate how my washer will put cold water into my load when I set it on hot, if the "water is too hot". Seriously? My washer has to talk back to me?