Tankless Water Heater

[Mordi]

I am thinking about replacing my water heater with a tankless water heater from Noritz.

Anybody have one of these? Have you noticed any savings from going tankless?

Thanks,
Mordi

 

[Gummi Bear]

I've got a Bosch, gas unit. I haven't really noticed all that much energy savings, but the unlimited hot water is a real life saver, especially with 2 girls. No more cold showers for anyone.

One thing - you need to buy a unit that can meet your demand. They can heat X amount of water per minute, and you need to take that into consideration when purchasing. I was able to get a small unit, I have a small house, which means that I can't do dishes or something while in the shower. That's the only drawback.

I will be putting one in my next house as well, we have thoroughly enjoyed having this unit.

 

[carguy123]

I have 2 Rinnais and they are absolutely GREAT!!!

They heat up almost instantly and produce any amount of water you want. I had 16 people here for the holidays and everyone had hot water even when everyone was trying to get ready at the same time.

 

[PxTx]

I've recently had to replace my hot water heater. I considered a tankless unit, but ultimately decided against it. I have an oil fuel boiler. I decided to replace my indirect fired hot water heater. It is only a 40 gal tank, but since it is an indirect fired unit- it can always stay ahead of the demand and I'll never run out of hot water.

An electric tankless required 150 amp dedicated circuit and is a large liability with hard water. Not that my water is that bad, but I know my luck it would be just enough to require excessive maintenance.

Additionally, tankless and other direct fired systems operate locally with temperature swing and rapid changes harsh enough to require what most would consider frequent/high maintenance.

Yes, I understand the concept behind the on-demand energy savings. This would really only be an issue 4 or so months out of the year when my heater is not running. I do not think I would see the ROI due to the mainteance.

 

[Gummi Bear]

I've recently had to replace my hot water heater. I considered a tankless unit, but ultimately decided against it. I have an oil fuel boiler. I decided to replace my indirect fired hot water heater. It is only a 40 gal tank, but since it is an indirect fired unit- it can always stay ahead of the demand and I'll never run out of hot water.

An electric tankless required 150 amp dedicated circuit and is a large liability with hard water. Not that my water is that bad, but I know my luck it would be just enough to require excessive maintenance.

Additionally, tankless and other direct fired systems operate locally with temperature swing and rapid changes harsh enough to require what most would consider frequent/high maintenance.

Yes, I understand the concept behind the on-demand energy savings. This would really only be an issue 4 or so months out of the year when my heater is not running. I do not think I would see the ROI due to the mainteance.

I'm not understanding this. Aside from keeping the pilot lit, mine's been maintenance free. I tore it down a few weeks ago (after 6 years of service) to see if anything needed cleaning or replacing, and it was clean as a whistle. It resides in a closet in the center of the house, no basements here, if that's what you mean by a harsh environment.

 

[PxTx]

I was speaking more towards the electric units, and if yours have been trouble free then you have softer water than what is common up here. The harsh enviroment I was refering to was the specific area where the heating element has to go form ambient temp to hot (what do you have it set at 130?) as quickly as possible, and then cools. I feel the heat cycling is harsh- specifically when hard water is involved.

YMMV

 

[Rustang]

I've got a Noritz 931m and we are very impressed with its output. We just did a remodel and our Noritz feeds 3 baths (1 rainhead, 2 Speakman showerheads w/o restrictors), dishwasher, laundry, and kids and guests no problem. We did, however, have to make sure our gas line was up to snuff and our plumber put in a new 1" line to feed the unit. Been very happy....our plumber was one of the first guys to install them here in Los Angeles andwent to Japan to be trained on installing the tankless.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

A lady friend down the road from me has a Noritz LP gas model. The first one lasted a little less than two years, getting a pin hole in the tight bend of one of the tubes on the outside of the heat exchanger. I attributed it to a manufacturing defect, the tube (copper) was a tight bend, and I think the metal was stretched too think during the forming of the tube. It was replaced with a slightly different model under warranty about 2-1/2 years ago. The lady lives alone and is exceedingly frugal. The heater uses less gas than the horribly old, in-efficient 40 gal heater did, but that is no real comparison. Problem is, you just cannot be turning the water on and off, you turn it on and leave it on, especially with long runs of pipe. personally I like my 50 gal electric tank type and its scalding hot water available at the flick of a faucet.

Truthfully though, the heater does work.

Charles

 

[Fxjnkmn]

it seemed that the tankless ones are very exspensive, might take a while to recoup your money. I like them but at more than double the price , I'll stick with the tank until it goes south, maybe they will come down a little by then.

 

[Yotaforce]

I saw Bob Vila talking about one the other night and they said it would pay for itself in about a year. I'd love to have one since I have a wife and three girls using up my 80 gallons every night and leaving me with COOL showers in the winter.

 

[NSXSOON]

I installed a Polama (made in Japan) gas takeless water heater in my first house 35 years ago and never needed to service it for the 20+ years I lived there (Long Island NY). It not only worked flawlessly but was very efficeint as well as run two showers and do a wash load all at the same time and never run out of hot water!!
I currently have a Stiebel Eltron Electric Tankless Water Heater Tempra 24

http://cgi.ebay.com/Stiebel-Eltron-...yZ115967QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

in my Florida house now for over a year with no problems. Tanks are for war not water heaters!

 

[slowpoke]

I have an Aquastar bought at Lowes 8 years ago. It has been trouble free and works great. It is located in a closet in the house between showers and laundry. My wife can turn on the washing machine while I am in the shower with no loss of hot water.

 

[PhantomEB]

I been tellin the bride I want a tankless system in the next house we buy as fawk I hate half a tub of hot water before it runs out.

 

[PxTx]

Sounds like the jury is in and they all work fine!

 

[Ratical]

Had mine for only a few months very pleased so far. its the steible also.

 

[hick]

I've got a Bosch, gas unit. I haven't really noticed all that much energy savings, but the unlimited hot water is a real life saver, especially with 2 girls. No more cold showers for anyone.

One thing - you need to buy a unit that can meet your demand. They can heat X amount of water per minute, and you need to take that into consideration when purchasing. I was able to get a small unit, I have a small house, which means that I can't do dishes or something while in the shower. That's the only drawback.

I will be putting one in my next house as well, we have thoroughly enjoyed having this unit.

best piece pf advice...

i work in a hardware store and grew up working with my step dad whos a plumber. people buy these expecting them to have a shower, run the dish washer and do some laundry at the same time. Off the bat is water pressure. Where i'm from we got more then enough to do all that, long as you got a good shower head.

then these people turn around and buy the CHEAPEST ones... which comes NO WHERE close ot meeting the demands listed above

they are money well spent... assuming you do the research. from experience i ahve helped installed a few and was back within a few months putting ina dual tank (also an option for yah) set up because they didn't buy a big enough one to begin with

 

[boo coo tracks]

How does the heater handle well water? Are there any stats (family of three) on tankless versus high efficent tank heater (propane)-to get your money back?
TIA

 

[Ratical]

Mine is on well water. The only recomend using a water filter to keep unwanted trash out of the heater.

 

[jonny01blaze]

My new to me home has an old Water Heater which will eventually be replaced by a tankless design. Not only because of a space saving feature but because of the functionality of Hot water on demand but due to the great reviews too. I say go for it.