Anone have a tankless hot water heater?

[Gruntina]

My husband installed the tank less water heaters in our home. We have a large one for two bathrooms and can shower the same time without any conflicts.

He also installed a small one just for the kitchen sink. The kitchen sink is seems to be instantly hot so we do not waste water that way.


Prior to installing the tank less water heater (we are on septic system)... Our showers took awhile to heat up and once warm, it only lasted about 5-7 minutes and then had to wait awhile for the next shower. With that said, it’s a huge blessing and quite the luxury since it does not run out of hot water either but we need to be careful with the timing of our shower so we don't waste water.

Our tank less water heater has remote controls so we can increase or decrease the water temp. Anytime. This is handy when we need to wash a load of whites in the washing machine or sanitize bottles for wine making. Also if we do have children some day, we can lower the temp to avoid scalding hot water.

I can not really help with the cost of bills because before the tank less water heater, our old water heater ran by electricity. The Tank less we have now runs on gas.

[Daylily]

DisneySteve,
Did you end up getting the tankless water heater? Anyone else care to chime in that didn't post when this thread was new?

It looks like we're due for a new water heater AGAIN. This is three in 10 years. With the new 2009 tax credits I'd like to consider this option. We missed out on the tax credits for our windows because we replaced all of them in 2008!

Only problem, you might ask why we have gone through three conventional water heaters in 10 years. My DH thinks it is because of the rust remover salt we use in our water. The combination of the salt and the iron damages the water heater???? Anyway, he's concerned about paying for the more expensive tankless water heater if it turns out that is only going to last for three-four years because of our water situation. Anyone have any ideas on this?

I hope to do some research this weekend since we've only just discovered in the past day that our water heater is leaking.

[disneysteve]

Actually, we haven't replaced our heater yet but will probably be doing it soon. So we got more than another year out of it and it is still working fine. I don't think we'll be going with the tankless model.

[GREENBACK]

DisneySteve,
Only problem, you might ask why we have gone through three conventional water heaters in 10 years. My DH thinks it is because of the rust remover salt we use in our water. The combination of the salt and the iron damages the water heater????

I have very hard water too and I use regular softener salt. No problem with the heater I put in 8 yrs. ago. 3 in ten yrs. seems a little excessive. I don't know about Iron removing salt as I haven't used it but have heard it's hard on softeners and heaters. I have clear water iron(looks rusty after a couple hours sitting in a glass) so maybe your issue is different.

I'm curious if a tankless heater would solve your problem since the hard water isn't part of the equation anymore.

[minnie1928]

Steve,
You might want to check out the info below. I know you live in NJ and they may be offering rebates for your hot water heater. It may also qualify for federal tax credits.

Also, FWIW I took advantage of the state's home audit program (Home Performance with ENERGY STAR | NJ OCE Web Site and if they recommend that you get a new hot water heater for efficiency sake, then you might get some additional money. I did it last year to insulate and air seal my home and they are supposed to send my a 10% rebate for the cost of the work. I haven't gotten the check yet due to some red tape, but hope to receive it soon.


DSIRE: Incentives in NJ: New Jersey Homeowner Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency

http://www.dsireusa.org/incentives/incentive.cfm?Incentive_Code=US43F&re=1&ee=1

[irmanator]

I wanted one when my tank died but the guy from lowes said they could not install i would have to get a licensed plumber to do it. I was in a hurry so i got the old fashioned kind. the guy who installed it was telling me if the gas pressure coming into my house was not good enough when the tankless heater kicked in that it would take pressure away from my stove and furnace and their pilots would go out.

Since the original post, Last December I had home improvements done for energy efficiency. I now own the tankless hot water heater. It is great for taking many showers in a row and not running out. With the model i have you cant wash clothes while someone is in shower but that is not a big deal for us.

The salesman said that these last for 30 years or more because the hot water does not sit in a tank creating the sediment. Since it is on demand there are no mineral deposits in the line cause it doesn't sit there long enough.

mine cost about 3000 NY state gave me a grant so when i got it all done (insulation and furnace etc) it cost 14997 but i took a loan for 9997 I got 5000 from nyserda (abbr. for ny state energy ???)

[wincrasher]

Steve,

My new house has a gas tankless plus a small electric tank-type water heater as a booster for the far side of the house. So far I like the system. My gas bills are very low. The unit was pricey though, but buried in the cost of the house.

A friend of mine has one, but hates it. Hers is 3 or 4 years old and there is a delay before she gets hot water in her master shower. It think her layout is poor plus it could be hers is an older design. As a retro-fit, you are going to need an expert give you some advice.

At my old house, I had a 40 gal electric water heater explode. I replaced it with an 80 gal and not only was it much more efficient, but it go hotter faster - about 15 mins. The thing was only $150 and I installed it myself - simple job really. I had a timer put on it too to save money. No reason to heat water all night - actually I had it turn off most of the day too - just had it come on for peak hours. The thing was so quick to heat up, I never had a problem and I never could exhaust the 80 gallons either. When off, it will stay quite hot for many hours.

[MonkeyMama]

I'm sorry, but I Can't for the life of me figure out what type or model our hot water heater is. It is insulated which is part of the problem (the insulation covers all of the information). It is definitely not tankless though.

It really only "turns on" when hot water is being used - I can't imagine it is spectacularly expensive - the builder put it in. Gas Bills are NOTHING. I know my input would be more useful if I could recommend a brand or type - but keep hoping someone will chime in and say, "You must have this."

[zakity]

Wow... Three in 10 years. We have well water and a water softener. We use those rust remover salt pellets (the green bag). We haven't had a problem with our hot water heater at all. I don't know how old ours is, but I know we replaced it a few years after we moved here, so I am guessing 6 to 8 years at least. The only reason we replaced the old one was because it was old (possibly the original one when they built the house) and we wanted a more efficient one. We also figured that we were on borrowed time with the old one and didn't want to wake up one morning and have no hot water.

We are looking into an electric tankless. We would put it after the tank one. With all of us getting up and going somewhere, there just isn't enough hot water. The tankless would make it where we all had hot water for showers without waiting for the tank to heat back up. Right now, we have to get up two hours before we need to leave so that everyone can get a shower. And, that is even with the boys taking navy showers (turning off the water when they aren't actively using it).

[Daylily]

Wow... Three in 10 years. We have well water and a water softener. We use those rust remover salt pellets (the green bag). We haven't had a problem with our hot water heater at all. I don't know how old ours is, but I know we replaced it a few years after we moved here, so I am guessing 6 to 8 years at least. The only reason we replaced the old one was because it was old (possibly the original one when they built the house) and we wanted a more efficient one. We also figured that we were on borrowed time with the old one and didn't want to wake up one morning and have no hot water.

Well you have the same situation as me: well water, water softener and the green bags of rust remover salt. I have no idea what the problem is with the water heaters here. The plumber is coming on Thursday so perhaps he'll have an idea.

[wincrasher]

Sounds like you have fouled elements to me. These need to be pulled and checked periodically if you have hard water. Over time the scaling builds up until any efficiency is lost and you have a hard time getting hot water. A modern electric water heater should give you hot water in 15 mins. if it's working correctly. You can easily change out the elements without changing the tank out.

[zetta]

Our gas & electric company sent out a flyer comparing typical costs for lights, water heater, etc. I thought the Water Heater comparison would be interesting for this discussion.

Estimate based on 55 gallons of water per day, household of three, low-use billing tier ($0.15 per kWh):

Electric water heater: $45.00/month
Tankless electric: $44.55/month
Electric heat pump: $17.90/month
Gas water heater: $21.23/month
Tankless gas: $14.56/month

From the flyer, it doesn't look like the electric tankless saves much, but the gas tankless does???

I'm also not sure what an "Electric heat pump" water heater is?

[segmond]

you said OUR, how many of you are there in the house? the more there are, the less it may be recommended. it takes many years to recoup the cost even tho your bills will be lower. are you going to be living in that house for the next 5 to 10yrs?