Tfue
Well-known member
We need a new water heater. Trying to decide what to go with. Standard electric 50gal, the newer GE hybrid with the heat pump, or tankless. Anybody have experience with the hybrid or electric tankless?
Electric water heater choice?
- Thread starter Tfue
- Start date
JCoggin
Well-known member
If you have Natural Gas and it's relatively inexpensive you may want to look at tankless/on-demand. I didn't have that option so I went with the Rheem Marathon water heater. So far it has done a superb job. Stay away from the big box stores.....
JC
JC
bimmer1980
Well-known member
We bought the electric hybrid water heater. So far, so good.
The biggest thing to look out for is that it does need a drain for the water (condensed) that it will pull out of the air. This tube must be slope properly to a decent drain.
It has been helpful in drying our basement as we get a bit of seepage after it rains....
We also got a rebate from the power company for installing the hybrid heat pump water heater....
The biggest thing to look out for is that it does need a drain for the water (condensed) that it will pull out of the air. This tube must be slope properly to a decent drain.
It has been helpful in drying our basement as we get a bit of seepage after it rains....
We also got a rebate from the power company for installing the hybrid heat pump water heater....
Just had a customer have an 80 gallon electric heater go today. I was lucky to find the non hybrid one. Check your heaters height and compare if tight on room (hybrids are much taller).
zepher11
Well-known member
I installed the GE GeoSpring Hybrid about 4 or 5 years ago. We're 100% electric here, so I really wanted to save some dough on the electric bill. Wow, what a difference. I think the Energy Star rating indicates it uses about 1700 kWh per years vs. like 5000 kWh for a conventional electric water heater. I really noticed the change in the bill. As mentioned, it does create some condensation with the heat pump technology, so one needs to be able to run a drain line.
It was pricey back when I bought it, but they likely have come down in price. I did get $300 back from the State of Ca, and maybe $20 bucks from PG&E. I think I deducted something off my taxes as well.
It was pricey back when I bought it, but they likely have come down in price. I did get $300 back from the State of Ca, and maybe $20 bucks from PG&E. I think I deducted something off my taxes as well.
Stuart in MN
Well-known member
An electric tankless requires a LOT of power - chances are you would have to upgrade your electrical service to operate one.
zmaxmotorsports
Well-known member
Ive done a couple of the tankless bosch electric heaters in the past,I spent more hrs on the phone with their worthless customer service than I care to remember.Never again.
If you install a tanked heater just remember to keep the sediment flushed out every month.
If you install a tanked heater just remember to keep the sediment flushed out every month.
Rather then install a electric tankless WH, I would look into a gas model, while I personally hate propane, needing a 400 ampere service to handle a WH is a bit much.
Same story here. State brand is owned by A. O. Smith and made in Tennessee I believe.
.............I have that for my parents, same situation.... no NG services.... very nice unit so far.... about 5 years as well.
raiderhillbilly
Well-known member
I would get the cheapest electric one you can. The steel tanks are all the same. The 10 year warranty water heaters just have an extra anode rod to prevent corrosion. If you will check or replace your anode rod every couple of years, a cheap water heater will last a very long time.
James-W
Well-known member
A guy I sometimes play golf with has a tankless/on demand water heater and he loves it. But the thing is, he is an "over the road" single truck driver and he is gone for several days at a time. So he is only using hot water when he is at home.
I installed a tankless electric at my old shop, a Titan N120 and for a single person it worked fine. It did use a LOT of electricity though, I had it on a 60a breaker(as recommended) and the wire was less than 3' total, if I turned it past medium, it would clip the breaker. Not bad though, even at medium setting it would shoot fire from the sink or shower, I would hate to see what it would do at a higher setting. 
You will DEFINITELY have to upgrade your electrical if you go electric tankless.
You will DEFINITELY have to upgrade your electrical if you go electric tankless.
Falcon67
Well-known member
We looked at the heat pump units but about time we decided it might be good they pulled all the rebates.
Tankless are $$$$ not counting having to run wire to them , making room in the panel, etc, etc.
Bought a mid $300 50 gallon electric unit at HD (there is no NG here), expect to get 6-8 years out of it, then just replace it. Not that big a deal. Looking around on the web, it's pretty much "Mfg *** has good units" and "Mfg *** sells total ****". So, YMMV apparently.
Tankless are $$$$ not counting having to run wire to them , making room in the panel, etc, etc.
Bought a mid $300 50 gallon electric unit at HD (there is no NG here), expect to get 6-8 years out of it, then just replace it. Not that big a deal. Looking around on the web, it's pretty much "Mfg *** has good units" and "Mfg *** sells total ****". So, YMMV apparently.
many of the cheap water heaters have no anode rod at all...which is why they only last a couple years...definitely find out before you buy if it has a rod or not...thought they were mandatory but learned the hard way they are not...
water heaters have a drain on the bottom side of tank you put a garden hose on and open it up to flush it out. sometimes they are white plastic you spin, others have a regular valve. be careful, they sometimes break if they haven't been used in a while.
jvitez
Well-known member
No experience with the new hybrid types, but I have a Marathon electric water heater that has a lifetime guarantee. It's a polybutylene tank with a fibreglass exterior, so nothing to rust, therefore no anode rod needed, therefore no rotten egg smell with my well water. Expensive but worth it. They are also super insulated with a seasonal COP of 0.90-0.94, ie very low standby losses, so I doubt an electric tankless heater would be cost effective. NG tankless yes, because NG is far cheaper than electricity.
http://www.rheem.com/product/residential-electric-water-heaters-marathon
http://www.rheem.com/product/residential-electric-water-heaters-marathon
Stuart in MN
Well-known member
Tankless gas heaters require a lot of gas to operate, just like tankless electric heaters require a lot of electricity. When researching, make sure your house has adequate gas service (chances are it does, but it's good to make sure before spending any money.)
Charles (in GA)
Well-known member
MARATHON.............
Features:
Non-metalic Tank Features
Seamless, blow-molded, polybutene tank – impervious to rust and corrosion
Multiple layers of filament wound fiberglass give the tank unmatched strength
Polyurethane insulation helps reduce energy consumption
Recessed drain valve is out of the way brooms and scrubbers
High temperature polysulfone dip tube
Tough molded polyethylene outer shell resists dents, scratches, and salt air
Efficiency
.90 - .94 EF
Well insulated for reduced standby heat loss
Pipe wrap energy saving kit included to achieve maximum energy savings
Performance
FHR: 52-104 gallons, based on gallon capacity
Recovery rate: 20 gallons GPH at a 90 degree rise
Capacity & Dimensions
40, 50, 85, 105 Gallon tall models and a 50 gallon short
Easy Installation & Service
Marathon’s lightweight tank is easier to maneuver and position. Bowl shaped tank bottom drains completely.
Plus…
Thermally fused upper element provides protection against dry-firing – titanium lower element for superior resistance to lime build-up
Full-flow, brass drain valve
Temperature and pressure relief valve
Standard replacement parts
Features:
Non-metalic Tank Features
Seamless, blow-molded, polybutene tank – impervious to rust and corrosion
Multiple layers of filament wound fiberglass give the tank unmatched strength
Polyurethane insulation helps reduce energy consumption
Recessed drain valve is out of the way brooms and scrubbers
High temperature polysulfone dip tube
Tough molded polyethylene outer shell resists dents, scratches, and salt air
Efficiency
.90 - .94 EF
Well insulated for reduced standby heat loss
Pipe wrap energy saving kit included to achieve maximum energy savings
Performance
FHR: 52-104 gallons, based on gallon capacity
Recovery rate: 20 gallons GPH at a 90 degree rise
Capacity & Dimensions
40, 50, 85, 105 Gallon tall models and a 50 gallon short
Easy Installation & Service
Marathon’s lightweight tank is easier to maneuver and position. Bowl shaped tank bottom drains completely.
Plus…
Thermally fused upper element provides protection against dry-firing – titanium lower element for superior resistance to lime build-up
Full-flow, brass drain valve
Temperature and pressure relief valve
Standard replacement parts
Last edited:
Highbeam
Well-known member
Be careful, the marathons are bigger due to all that foam so they might not fit in the location.
I recently replaced an old tank with a new electric tank. These things are cheap and disposable. 250$ maybe with no fancy LED or heat pumps. I do not plan on trying to drain sediment as that will just cause a broken or leaky drain valve. I do not plan to replace the anode rod. Remember, 250$ gets you a brand new one and they are very easy to swap.
Tankless heaters are fine for saving space. New tanks don't have significant stand by losses so there is no real cost savings.
Those heat pump water heaters are noisy. You don't want one in the living space of your home. Down in the basement, sure.
Do a nice install
I recently replaced an old tank with a new electric tank. These things are cheap and disposable. 250$ maybe with no fancy LED or heat pumps. I do not plan on trying to drain sediment as that will just cause a broken or leaky drain valve. I do not plan to replace the anode rod. Remember, 250$ gets you a brand new one and they are very easy to swap.
Tankless heaters are fine for saving space. New tanks don't have significant stand by losses so there is no real cost savings.
Those heat pump water heaters are noisy. You don't want one in the living space of your home. Down in the basement, sure.
Do a nice install
eddiemeddiem
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 19, 2011
- Messages
- 153
I'm all about more efficient new designs. So the hybrid claims 67% more efficient... Just makes me ask the question... Where is it getting the excess more efficient heat from???
ie... It's taking the heat from your house to hear the water. That way the water tank mfg can say that they're not making the heat, so the water heater itself uses loss power (but the heat has to come from another source in your house). May not necessarily be a bad thing during the three hot summer months, but during the rest of the year it's just putting that additional load on your furnace.
ie... It's taking the heat from your house to hear the water. That way the water tank mfg can say that they're not making the heat, so the water heater itself uses loss power (but the heat has to come from another source in your house). May not necessarily be a bad thing during the three hot summer months, but during the rest of the year it's just putting that additional load on your furnace.
Highbeam
Well-known member
Home depot, rheem. I installed to current code with drip pan, expansion tank, strapping, and stainless semi rigid flex hoses. To replace will be simple. I recall it was 218$ or maybe 236$. But very cheap compared to any risky attempts of maintenance.
zmaxmotorsports
Well-known member
JamesW84
Well-known member
Yep...i did a bunch of research. i ended up going a rheem from home depot for 350. The warranty just means they have a bigger anode rod. You dont want an aluminum rod leaving aluminum in your water, although you prob dont drink hot water.
I plan to drain a little from it every couple months and check the anode every couple years.
I just installed it a couple weeks ago, but it had pretty good reviews.
Electricity is cheap here, so the heat pump water heaters are hard to justify financially for me.
Check out waterheaterrescue.com
I plan to drain a little from it every couple months and check the anode every couple years.
I just installed it a couple weeks ago, but it had pretty good reviews.
Electricity is cheap here, so the heat pump water heaters are hard to justify financially for me.
Check out waterheaterrescue.com
toyotadriver
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2010
- Messages
- 1,586
In my last house we put a heat pump water heater in the garage. Now, I don't live in a frigid climate so YMMV. However, we do see temps in the winter down into the low single digits from time to time and couple times a winter sub zero temps. But, never for long.
I couldn't believe how much the heat pump water heater dropped our electric bill. Now, the garage we put it in is well insulated with an insulated garage door and no windows. In the summer, when we pulled a car in a parked and shut the door, the engine heat would heat up the garage to temps around 100. The heat pump water heater then uses that heat to heat the water....and the heat pump also cools the garage.
In the winter, there is less heat to use (obviously) so the heat pump water heater has to use the elements more.
The savings were still substantial for the entire year. I was impressed and will install one eventually in our new house when we get it built.
I couldn't believe how much the heat pump water heater dropped our electric bill. Now, the garage we put it in is well insulated with an insulated garage door and no windows. In the summer, when we pulled a car in a parked and shut the door, the engine heat would heat up the garage to temps around 100. The heat pump water heater then uses that heat to heat the water....and the heat pump also cools the garage.
In the winter, there is less heat to use (obviously) so the heat pump water heater has to use the elements more.
The savings were still substantial for the entire year. I was impressed and will install one eventually in our new house when we get it built.
larry4406
Well-known member
Toyotadriver - what brand heat pump water heater (HPWH) did you put in?