Water Heaters Tankless

About the author:

Source: http://www.sooperarticles.com/home-improvement-articles/diy-articles/your-plumbing-problems-solved-986125.html

Frequently Asked Questions

1. QUESTION:
   Why tankless water heaters are not famous in India?
   I stayed in singapore for a few years, where almost every household uses instant water heaters. In India, I tried looking around for such water heaters, either they are not to be found in the appliances stores or they have very few models. Why are tankless water heaters not as famous in India when compared to the storage water heaters?

   • ANSWER:
     They aren't that popular here in the U.S. either. They are very expensive, and expensive to convert to. And they don't provide 100% hot water continuously, either electric or gas models, as I've experienced using both of them. I would say technology just hasn't caught up to them yet. I like my full tank of hot water, it's there and ready to be used when I want it.

2. QUESTION:
   What is the cost advantage of tankless water heaters?
   I'm looking at installing tankless water heaters in a 12 unit apartment building. What are the advantages and disadvatages?

   • ANSWER:
     Just make sure you check them out thoroughly! A simple swap is not what you are looking at. Check the manufacturer's recommendations completely, and have a plumber who is very knowledgeable with this type heater look over the project, before you make a decision. Normal water heaters use about 40,000 btu's, and these type use between 300,000-500,000 btu's, so the gas pipes won't supply the required amount of gas. Also the flue pipe has to be triple wall stainless steel, and this could cost more than the heater itself. The water pipes feeding the heater must be sized properly, or too much water supply, and the water won't be able to heat, before it passes through the heater. These are all for gas heaters, and there are similar problems, with electric models. Just check it out first, then make a decision. Good luck to you!

3. QUESTION:
   Electric Tankless Water Heaters - are they energy efficient?
   I was told that the electric variety of tankless water heaters suck up a lot more juice than their propane/nat gas counterparts. The reason I am considering electric is that I don't want an extensive installation - I just want to replace my old electric tank heater with a wall-mounted tankless one. Is it worth it?

   • ANSWER:
     Consider that an electric on demand heater will only draw current when in use. A regular water heater has to heat the water and then maintain that temperature. Yes, it's more efficient. The drawbacks to a tankless heater would be that you may not get as much hot water as fast as you want it. I have been looking into these lately myself. I have decided to go with gas because I want to be "off-grid" , however I suggest that you carefully consider your requirements for an electric heater and make sure that you get one that is powerful enough to fulfill your needs. I hate it when the shower won't get quite as hot as I like it. You must consider your climate and your water source. Some of these heaters will only heat water 50 degrees. That means that if your water is 32, after heating will only be 82. Not hot enough for a hot bath. I would get one if I were you, but I would get a good one.
     Don't get some cheap crap.

4. QUESTION:
   Are tankless water heaters better for hard water areas?
   I live in an area with very hard water, and have had to replace two water heaters in 6 years due to sediment buildup. Would I be better off with a tankless water heater, or would that succumb to buildup, too? Thanks.

   • ANSWER:
     The prob is hardness in the water . Anything that heats water will collect minerals from the water on the heating surfaces that get hot. The only cure is to put in a water softner. But thay take a lot of mantainance also.

5. QUESTION:
   I need information and diagrams showing how electric tankless water heaters work?
   Can anyone give me a link or PDF document that explains how electric tankless water heaters work...I need diagrams and explanations of the components etc???

   • ANSWER:
     http://www.buytankless.com/store/pc/viewContent.asp?idpage=7

     http://stiebel-eltron.waterheaterdepot.com/pdf/partsdiagram_dhc.pdf
     then go to bottom of page and click download DHC parts diagram

6. QUESTION:
   Are there any Natural Gas Tankless Water Heaters that don't require a Stainless Steel Exhaust?
   I need to replace my water heater and am considering a tankless model. My greatest concern is that they all require special all-stainless steel exhaust ventilation. Not only is this impractical for my installation environment, but it suggests that the appliance generates so much waste heat that it's not so energy efficient after all. Are there any natural gas tankless water heaters that can use an existing galvanized steel exhaust vent?

   • ANSWER:
     Actually, it's because they are so efficient that you need stainless.
     Bear with me.
     All exhaust gases contain some amount of water and some acidic properties.
     Most exhaust gases are so hot that they will travel through a normal flue and not condense until they reach the outside.
     Exhaust gases from a tankless will condense on a flue pipe, depositing acid which will eat through galvanized steel. It will also eat concrete, mortar and brick, so you can't send it up a chimney either.

     Of course, you can move the water heater to an exterior wall and vent it through the wall. That way, you only need a few pieces.
     Or get an outside (no venting required) model. I've seen them advertised as "good to -30deg. f.".

7. QUESTION:
   Are tankless water heaters really worth the investment?
   I'm needing to replace my hot water tank and was looking into the tankless water heaters? Has anyone used one and are you satisfied with the results?

   • ANSWER:
     Please read the following Consumer Reports article that states that while the tankless water heaters were 22 percent more efficient on average than gas-fired-storge-tanks but they are more expensive and could take up to 22 years to break even:

     http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/appliances/heating-cooling-and-air/water-heaters/tankless-water-heaters/overview/tankless-water-heaters-ov.htm

     Personally, I really like them. In Japan, where they are very common, I used my tankless water heater every day to shower and to wash my dishes. It was excellent and I always had instant, plentiful, hot water available. I often wondered why we didn’t use these in the United States more often than we do. If you are interested I would recommend the following sites for some excellent models:

     http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Water-Heaters/21147/subcat.html

     http://www.rinnai.us/tankless-water-heater/

     http://www.titanheater.com/

     Try it for yourself, you will like it!

8. QUESTION:
   Are tankless water heaters OK in northern climes? Can someone attest to their performance in Chicago?
   I am looking to replace a 40 gallon gas water heater (tank) and I was either going to go with a 70 gallon tank or try a whole house tankless. I have read that the ground water temperature affects their performance and was wondering if anyone in Chicago has installed a whole house tankless and what their experience has been. Would you caution against or recommend?

   • ANSWER:
     The temperature of ground water will merely effect the units efficiency. It will not effect its operation. Ground temperatures, below a frost line, are fairly constant (reliably predictable).

     However, the general rule of thumb is that (Monthly) for every 4 degrees your region averages below 32 degrees, reduce the efficiency rating on the unit by approximately 1.25%. and you will have a far more reliable understanding when comparing units for purchase and use..

9. QUESTION:
   Can someone tell me about tankless water heaters for your home and which is better gas or electric?
   I want to put a tankless water heater in my home but am unsure where to start.

   • ANSWER:
     I have a tankless water heater in my home and it is the best thing ever. It provides endless hot water so you can shower all day if you want and it never runs out. My electric bill went down about 35 dollars a month also as it only turns on when you activate hot water. A tank model turns off and on all day even if you don't use it. The water is also safer as a tank can develop rust, germs and sediment in the storage tank. Although gas can provide hotter water it is very unsafe. Rheem and other tank companies just recalled like 50,000 gas tankless units for carbon monoxide poisoning in homes. Its like car exhaust entering your house!! here is the recall link for gas units: http://www.tankless-recall.com/
     I have electric and it works great and is much safer. It was easy to install! I can fill my tub all the way and never worry about hot water running out. I can have 10 guests over and not worry about the hot water running out!!!
     I did a lot of research and the largest selling unit and one that I use is the Titan Tankless N-120 Water Heater. They invented it and have been in business 20 years.
     All of the information on the unit and helpful things to help you decide are on their site at http://www.titantankless.com
     Please be careful about gas models as they are DANGEROUS!
     I would stick with electric.

10. QUESTION:
    Tankless water heaters, are they worth the money?
    We are building a house and considering a tankless water heater. We have heard both good and bad about them. Any thoughts on the matter?

    • ANSWER:
      I went to a builders show for work and talked to a lot of people about them. I have not heard anything bad about them. I would definitely get one if I had the money.

11. QUESTION:
    Should I get one of those tankless water heaters for a new home?
    I am getting ready to start construction on a new lake home. Should I get one of those new tankless heaters or the traditional one?

    • ANSWER:
      honestly they dont save much money like people may say but they are great. The biggest complaint that i have recieved is when first running the water (example: morning for a shower) it takes a couple minutes to heat up but once it does it doesnt ever run out. They are easily maintained and occupy less space. Now it also depends on what type of heat you have. If you have a boiler you may want to consider getting a super store water tank and heating the water from your boiler. anyway id say go for the tankless if your chosing between conventional and tankless.

12. QUESTION:
    Do tankless water heaters work well?
    My fiance and I need to replace our water heater, we're looking at possibly purchasing a tankless one, but I'm curious to see if anyone has one, and how well they work.

    • ANSWER:
      Tankless water heaters are to die for – but they are not for everyone. A tankless water heater stores no hot water and is triggered to come on by water flowing through it. Once the demand is sensed, it begins heating up. Full bore capacity can normally take five seconds. No a big deal huh?

      Now, assume your kitchen sink currently takes 4 seconds from the time you turn on the tap to the time you get hot water. This is the travel distance time from your existing tanked unit. By merely replacing the unit, you need to combine the heat-up time of the tankless PLUS the travel time to get to the fixture. Nine seconds can seem like an eternity. If budget is not an issue, there are piping & pumping strategies that can eliminate this delay.

      On the flip side, in my home I located the unit central to all fixtures and knew of this delay going in to it. I have a gas fired Rinnai brand which I love and wouldn’t have anything but. I’ve substantially dropped my gas bill as I am no longer paying for stored hot water 24 hours a day. The efficiency of these units will smoke any high-efficiency tanked model available.

      Always work through a licensed plumber and ignore the units at the big box stores. Although attractively priced, they have higher pressure drops across the units and lower water flow rates. Be sure to check with your local utility about rebates that may be available along with the new 2006 federal tax credit for high efficiency equipment.

13. QUESTION:
    How good is the Navien Tankless Water Heaters?
    Does the Navien have many problem if installed correctly?

    I'm looking at possably installing a Navien Tankless Water Heater. There are many things to consider and many stats of the house and water heater to compare and match up. I'm down to a couple of manufactures, and possibly the larger sized models for residential. And will certainly have a professional install the unit.

    • ANSWER:
      The new Navien NR Series tankless water heater is a very reliable unit with many improvement in comparison to Navien CR series.
      Here is a good website to compare tankless water heaters and their prices!

14. QUESTION:
    San Francisc codes and regulations for installing tankless water heaters.?
    I am planning to have contractor to install tankless water heater in my SF home, but I am not sure about codes - I would like to know what he is talking about before we get into the discussion. Can anyone point me to the right URL?

    I AM going to get permit (well - contractor will..), but I am looking for city codes...

    Also, I have already picked contractor, but I just need to make sure there will be no issues with permit (don't want to be suprised..)

    So, where can i find San Francisc codes and regulations for installing tankless water heaters?

    • ANSWER:
      SF City Codes, Dept. of Building Inspection
      http://www.sfgov.org/site/dbi_index.asp

15. QUESTION:
    Do electric, tankless water heaters save money on electric bills?
    We need a new water heater and are very torn between a tank, a tankless gas, and a tankless electric. We're leaning towards the electric. Any advice?

    • ANSWER:
      gas would save money over electric anyday but either way, electric or gas , i would go for the tankless.

      the tankless only heats water when needed, not all day and night like the conventional hot water tank so the savings are tremendous right from the start.

      you may have to upgrade electric to accomodate the requirements of a tankless unit. contact pro

16. QUESTION:
    What do I need to know about tankless water heaters?
    My friend has a tankless water heater he removed from a commercial office sink (renovations). Will this work for my whole 2000 sq. ft. house? Why or why not? So long as someone does not run hot water at a sink while another person is taking a shower, will there be a problem? Is there a flow issue?

    Input appreciated - Thanks!

    • ANSWER:
      No it will not work for your entire house. Those types of "Instana Hot" is scaled for small usage, like washing hands. That's why it was under a sink. Shower? Still, too large amount of water. Small usage. They have a thermal cut out that when the internal temp OF THE ENTIRE UNIT hits a factory preset temperature, it will trip. It also resets itself. All you can do is wait till the entire unit cools down. I am not a plumber, I have hooked up enough of these (and replaced them) to know what they are capable of. So, what's the difference between a residential and a commercial unit? The rating of the thermal cut out is higher.
      With that being said: good luck in all you do and may God bless.

17. QUESTION:
    Questions about tankless water heaters?
    There is really not much on reviews on tankless water heaters including on epinions. Wanted to know your personal experience with them and if you have a well, how it worked out for you. I have an 1100 square foot home and I wanted one for the whole house. Recommendations would be great!

    • ANSWER:
      I'm not sure why you would need a 50 Amp breaker like the one person mentioned. Most of the tankless ones I've seen are heated with natural gas.

      The biggest hinderence I think I've seen for tankless water heaters is that from what I understand they need to be mounted to an exterior wall so that they can vent better. They get a lot hotter than a normal gas water heater.

      And if you think about it. With a tank water heater or a tankless one, on both you will have to run the cold water out of the lines. It's just with a tankless one you don't have to keep all that water in the tank hot all the time. That's where it saves the money. Another simple way you can save money is to wrap insulation around the hot water pipes, especially the first 25 feet or so to help keep the water in the hot pipes hot.

      One of my friends used to sell tankless water heaters at Home Depot and they got nothing but rave reviews on them from people that bought them.

      The "This Old House" website that the one person mentioned would also be a good thing to check out. That PBS program is very informative on house remodeling.

18. QUESTION:
    Are tankless water heaters worth the money?
    Our current hot water heater is 28 years old, believe it or not. We've been shopping around and trying to decide if tankless is the way to go.
    Any advice? Recommendations??

    Thanks all!☺

    • ANSWER:
      My wife and I installed one of these ourselves about 1 year ago. Prior to that we had a High Efficiency HVAC system installed by contractor also. The combination of the 2 cut 12 to 15 % off our gas bill.

      Also makes for more room in the laundry room, you can dial in what ever temperature you want the water to be heated to remotely or at the machine, and they are way cool looking!!

      Seriously, they are a good investment and great improvement to your home. We installed a BOSCH that we bought at Lowe's for around ,100.00

      Legal;

      I have opinions about everything but expertise in nothing, so do not take my word for anything. All answers are for entertainment purposes only. By taking my advice you agree too do so at your own risk and hold me harmless in any criminal or civil action.

      Mr. Obvious
      Patrick

19. QUESTION:
    Any homeowner using only tankless water heaters ??
    I currently have like a 60 gallon Rheem hot water tank, but I was wondering if anybody out there uses only tankless water heaters for each location where hot water is needed in the house. If yes, how do you like it, and also what do you for the washing machine? Thanks for any feedback about this.

    • ANSWER:
      i install tankless water heaters well actually both. i will guarantee if you bought a medium sized tankless if you install it in a 2 bathroom house you will not run out of hot water even if you turned every faucet on at once.what a tankless is is a small boiler but the system employs a water circulating system that constantly moves the hot water Thur the system by means of a small circulating water pump.kind of like the way your cars water pump works so when you open a tap the cold water enters the boiler and immediately is hot water and the pump makes sure that the hot water is always at the faucet OS soon as you open the valve

20. QUESTION:
    Anyone know anything about tankless water heaters?
    My current water heater is a 30 gallon water heater, but the bottom of the tank is rusted and leaking. I am thinking about it replacing it with a tankless water heater. I was kind of wanting to know the pros and cons of both types, and anyones personal experience with it.

    • ANSWER:
      Well first make sure you have two different 220 feeds available from the panel because that is what it takes.The people I help put one in for was not real happy with it. They said the water temperature changed while taking a shower.

21. QUESTION:
    What is the cost benefit of tankless water heaters?
    Benefit of gas vs. electric. Do they save money over normal water heaters?

    • ANSWER:
      Yes they are more efficient but when I figure in the cost of installation and the fact that gas is the only type that is really practical I wonder about the actual payback with changing to one. The only way I would consider one would be for a new installation where I had no plumbing yet installed and even then I am skeptical about actual savings when you consider the actual loss that occurs in a tank type water heater that is well insulated as they are now coming from the factory.
      Just an opinion

22. QUESTION:
    Tankless water heaters for apartments?
    I am considering electric tankless water heaters for each of my 28 2-bedroom 1 bath apartments. What type is recommended? I don't want to recirculate the hot water. The hard water kills the 30-gal tank versions pretty fast plus I am trying to save my residents some money on their electricity bills. I have seen them priced from 350-2000 and would like to get by with as inexpnesive as practical (remember - 28 units lol) without buying junk. Is the Tankless1 a good make and model for this application?

    • ANSWER:
      I would check with a company that manufactures and sells these units. They produce hot water on demand only, and that saves money. In Europe we have used these type of water heaters already 50 years ago, however, in the USA they are fairly new on the market and not cheap, as we found out. When checking the water heater prices, we were disappointed with their high cost, and left things as they were for the time being.
      We live in New York State where the local electric companies are charging outrageous prices for electricity. In time we also like to come up with an energy efficient way of heating our water.

23. QUESTION:
    Do tankless water heaters break down much? And are they suitable for cold weather climates?
    I have heard they work well for continous water, but they "break down" often and need service. Also, if water temp in cold weather is REALLY cold going in, does it still come out just as hot?

    • ANSWER:
      I am not a fan of tankless units. The initial cost is high and some plumbers that install them, do not do service work on them due to the complexity of them. Hard water causes problems with them since the heating is done through small tubes. There are also issues with some manufacturers who do not stock parts for them.

24. QUESTION:
    Are Tankless water heaters the right choice for a new home?
    I am building a custom 2 story house in Nashville, TN. 4500 sqft. with 3 beds and 3 baths downstairs and 1 bed and 1 bath upstairs. There are 4 people (2 adults & 2 large teenage boys)in the household. The house has a below ground basement and we have plenty of water preasure from the city. Construction will start in March 2006.

    • ANSWER:
      Some like them, and some don't. The important thing seems to be that you get a plumber who has experience in installing these. The wrong size pipes can cause a lag time in getting hot water when you want it. Check out a couple of the links below.

25. QUESTION:
    How well do tankless water heaters work, and what is the upfront price difference?
    were building a house and i was curious if these things work as well as a tank water heater or if they take forever to warm up, dont get hot, etc. and what the cost difference is from a traditional water heater

    • ANSWER:
      I don't know the upfront price difference, but according to "Energy Star" you'll get the following breakdown over the life of the water heater compared to a "traditional gas storage":

      Gas Condensing Storage: 0/year
      Whole House Gas Tankless: 5/year
      Solar water heater w/ electric backup: 0/year
      Heat Pump Water Heater: 0/year

      Note that no electric options are mentioned. Electric heating is grossly inefficient and costly, tankless or not.

      In addition, if you are eligable, take advantage of the 00 energy tax credit. Now water heaters are included. There may be more local credits and utility rebates that apply.

26. QUESTION:
    Tankless water heater VS Conventional Water Heaters?
    Hello guys,
    I do not have a lot of knowledge about water heaters, but for few reasons, I am inclined towards Tankless water heater. I have a small two unit house, and one unit is rented out. I am in the process of installing a water heater for each unit (two in total). Should I go with conventional one, or tankless one? I researched on the internet, however; you know that the manufacturers would always recommend whatever they make.
    Also, if tankless is better, would you prefer gas or electric?
    Will appreciate your answer.
    Thanks.

    • ANSWER:
      Gas or electric probably won't matter too much. The question is getting the gas or 220 vac to the point of use. Tankless heaters are usually mounted near where they are used as it would take less water & power to heat the water up. Whole-house heaters are available but depending upon the size, you may have to upgrade to a 300 amp service to your home. Some require 2 each 50/60 amp breakers for the heating elements. One model needs three 60 amp breakers.

      Tankless heaters are much more expensive. Make sure you get one that can heat up the water enough as it is being used. A low capacity heater may not heat up the water fast enough as you fill up the bathtub.

      Some tankless heaters won't turn on if the water flow is too low. Low flow shower heads may not have enough flow to close the contacts that turn on the heater. (User report). They had to turn on another hot water faucet to get the flow high enough.

      Tankless heaters do not heat water to 120ºF. They heat the water to about XXºF above the incoming water temp (depending upon model). So, it your incoming water is 60ºF, you'll get 60ºF+XXºF hot water. So, check the heater ratings and capacities. Especially noticeable in winter climates.

      I would like to try a tankless unit for my 2.5 bath home, but the cost of installation puts it out of reach. I don't have any gas. I don't have the electric power to the baths to run the things. 20 amp power only gives me 2400 watts of heating power. Too low for a tub. 30amps at 220 volts would work much better.

27. QUESTION:
    How well do those tankless water heaters work?
    I'm considering getting one for my upstairs aptmt. My two-flat has one 40-gallon water heater, and the upstairs tenants go through it quickly in the winter time. Not to mention I pay for all the heating it's getting a bit prohibitive. I want to know how easy was the install and whether there was an appreciable difference in fuel consumption. Natural gas is my fuel of choice. Thanks!

    • ANSWER:
      I've been studying tankless water heaters for a marketing study in college and have learned a great deal about them. If you're going to replace your water heater I would recommend an electric tankless - it doesn't require ventilation and is very easily installed.

      SKYE makes a unit called Fortis that is modular and expandable; it provides hot water practically on demand due to a purge valve built into the system. They're very efficient because they only operate when the hot water is being demanded. Gas requires ventilation, gas would be consumed by the pilot light, and you would experience a delay in delivery of hot water waiting for ignition of the gas heater.

      I hope it's helpful. I've provided a link to the products page for the company. I recommend reviewing their brochure.

28. QUESTION:
    what can you tell me about tankless hot water heaters?
    I am trying to see what tankless hot water heaters run in cost,how they work, and the instalation or the system

    • ANSWER:
      Try this site to give you example, foreverhotwater.com this may hep you in the short run.
      They are initially expensive to buy and install but they do last for years and are very efficient but it does take a while to save the real money you are saving in power as far as the initial cost of having one installed.
      Lowe"s Menard"s Home Depot all have them a far as that goes this site will give you basic info tho.

29. QUESTION:
    Does anyone know the cost difference between tankless water heaters and the old style tank?
    I need to replace mine, and it's in a second floor attic. I'm trying to determine what type - I imagine the tankless are much more expensive, but they probably pay for themselves over time.... Does anyone have any info? Thanks!

    • ANSWER:
      They are much more expensive but it should pay for itself over time; However, if you're paying a plumber to do the work you probably want to just replace it the the same model. The reason being that it's going to cost a lot more for him to repipe your system for a tankless, than to just swap out the heater. Also, if your up north, you should probably stick with the original heater, tankless heaters can't heat the water fast enough in colder climates.

30. QUESTION:
    can i use tankless water heaters in line with a current boiler to maximize hot water output?
    I live in a 30 unit building with a prehistoric boiler and we always run out of hot water (doesnt matter what time of day or night) does it make sense to connect a tankless water heater before or after the boiler to better stabilize the hot water availability? does it maybe even make sence to have one before and one after the boiler? The buildings heat is also provided by the current boiler...

    • ANSWER:
      If I was you, this is what you want to do, disconnect old Hot water line and install new tankless heater directly to the hot water line going to point of use. No need to install before and after, waste of time and money. But I think you should contact the mfg. of some tankless heaters and get their ideas also. Good luck.

31. QUESTION:
    Do tankless hot water heaters work with all houses?
    We just bought a house that was built in 2001. It still has the original tank water heater (electric) so it's about 10 years old. We want to replace this because our current hot water only lasts about 15 minutes. We would really prefer a tankless hot water heater, but we don't know if there are any special circumstances that would prevent us from being able to install a tankless hot water heater. Any help would be appreciated!

    • ANSWER:
      I would have somebody check the existing tank first. Unless it is very small or you are a whole lot of water in that 15 minutes it should give you more hot water than that.

      In fear of scalding they do tend to set them very low these days. It may only need to be turned up. A hotter tank lasts longer because you use less. But you can't turn it up too high if you have young children or elderly that scald easily.

      If it is a large tank you lower element that does most of the heating normally could be out and you are only getting a half of tank of hot water from the upper element. Or bad thermostat can do it also. First check the temp at the faucet.

      But a service call would be much cheaper.

      A tankless electric I recently saw requires three 40 amp circuits. Your existing probably has only one 30 amp to it so you would need extensive wiring work as well as plumbing. It would be an expensive proposition unless your tank is very close to the panel and you have enough spare capacity on the panel. Still costly though.

      Well worth trying to fix the existing. I am not sure the small savings would ever cover the cost of installing the tankless. I wouldn't do it unless it was changed to gas.

      Maybe a larger tank would suit you better. But start with a service call.

      Good Luck.

32. QUESTION:
    Tankless water heaters, good or bad investment?
    Whats your opinion on the tankless water heaters?
    Pros and cons?

    • ANSWER:
      Pros:
      -They are much more energy efficient. You don't have a giant tank of water that is constantly being heated up. (think of all of the hours you are not using any water; sleeping, working, vacations.. and how much energy and money you now spend keeping water hot.)
      -You never run out of hot water.
      -You will save so much money in energy bills.
      -If you go to sell your house, you will get your money back. People love new technology.
      -They are much smaller and are wall mounted. This will free up space in your house.

      Con:
      -High initial cost, they are much more expensive than traditional heaters.

33. QUESTION:
    Are tankless water heaters better than traditional tank water heaters?
    What is an average cost and size for a household type tankless water heater for a 3500 SF Two Story home with 4 bathrooms.

    Thanks

    • ANSWER:
      ok lots of info needed for this question look at this sight and see if it helps hope you can use this info good luck

34. QUESTION:
    Anyone have any experiences with Tankless Water Heaters?
    I'm considering replacing my standard water heater. If so... are you happy with them? Would u buy again? Plumbers? Owners? All comments are appreciated.
    Also, I have electric...no gas. Please let me know if that makes a difference. Also...have you seen a real impact to your electric bill as a result. I'm crunching the numbers to see if it makes sense. Tx in advance!

    • ANSWER:
      If you have high mineral content in your water, don't even consider it. The small tubing on tankless heaters will clog. make sure you know how much water you will be needing since they have different models. If you have it installed, make sure the installer also does maintenance/service work on them. Many plumbers will install, but since they are high-tech, do not do repairs. I have never heard of using one for radiators.

35. QUESTION:
    do tankless water heaters emit an electric buzzing sound even while not in use?
    i already have a tank water heater and sometimes buzzes, which is one of the reasons i want to go tankless

    • ANSWER:
      They'll only buzz if something is wrong with the temperature sensor.

36. QUESTION:
    Is there anyone with a working knowledge on tankless water heaters that can give me advice?
    E-mail me if you can. It's gas. The problem is that it doesn't stay running for very long. Sure we're saving water and gas, but the "endless" hot water isn't happening. Showers are as short as they were in the Navy. Which doesn't work for my wife.

    • ANSWER:
      It makes no sense that your gas water heater is "tank less". Mine would also be "tank less" meaning a gas line is run onto the property. There is no propane tank.

37. QUESTION:
    Can anyone give me a recommendation on electric tankless water heaters.?
    I am specifically interested in the SETS and American Home brands and would like to know if anyone has them and how they do or do not like them. Also, I am interested in information on other brands if you have them. Thanks. I NEED THIS INFO ASAP AS OUR WATER HEATER BROKE THIS WEEKEND AND NEEDS IMMEDIATE REPLACEMENT.

    • ANSWER:
      Eemax is a widely used electric tankless water heater in the commercial industry. They are refered to as IWH or Instantaneous Water Heater.

      However

      1. If you are replacing an existing electrical instantaneous water eater, make sure the power and voltage match the existing one you are removing.

      2. If you are working on your primary residence or a high hot water usage and you are trying to replace a tank style water heater - stop. Stay with the tank style. Really, only instantaneous gas water heaters are recommended for the primary residential environment.

38. QUESTION:
    What's the verdict on tankless water heaters?
    Some people rave about them. Some people say they were given a piece of junk. Consumer reports doesn't seem to recommend them. Some energy efficiency folks and green HVAC people recommend them, and others don't.

    I get that installation cost is up-front a bit pricey. But is the cost of the units coming down? Do they really save? How about in a house of 2? Is tankless a better option?

    • ANSWER:
      I built a home in 1994 and installed three of them. I have since had to replace/repair all three and will not replace them again. One went out in '02 and the others quit in '07. I installed one in my daughter's home in '98 and it's still going. Just my opinion.

39. QUESTION:
    How much do Rinnai tankless water heaters cost?
    I'm thinking about having one installed in my home. I wanna find out as much as possible as soon as I can so I can take advantage of the tax credit.

    • ANSWER:
      They are way too expensive and even if you do get a tax credit, it will take about 25 years to recover your cost. They are not a good investment according to my reading.

40. QUESTION:
    Any comments on tankless water heaters?
    We have a traditional electric water heater but with 4 people in the house and all showering in the morning it leaves the last person with luke warm water (2nd shower - teenager). They have come down in price and just wondering what the pros and cons are.

    • ANSWER:
      I love the idea of them. As I understand, they are supposed to be a lot more efficient, so you will save on your electric bill. I will probably switch if I ever have a problem with my water heater.

41. QUESTION:
    How do Tankless Water Heaters work?
    I know they cost twice as much,are they worth the money.

    • ANSWER:
      Tankless heaters have a gas burner with a coil of water pipe above it. When you turn on the faucet, the water moves in the pipe and this movement is detected by a flow sensor, which turns on the burner. When the flow stops, the burner shuts down.

      The device heats water in the pipe, on the way to the faucet.

      The advantages are that they do not have to keep water hot that is being stored, and they take less space. They have different models depending on the capacity you need, just as tank heaters do. They do cost more, about 0 for the equivalent to a 30 gal unit. However they are less costly to operate. and properly installed they have a longer life.

42. QUESTION:
    Does anyone have an opinion on tankless water heaters?
    I live in northern Minnesota. The incoming well water is 50 degrees. I will be using LP gas.

    • ANSWER:
      I installed an Aquastar propane tank less water heater for my daughter and they have no problems, and save a lot on gas because as you know it only uses gas when you turn the hot water handle on. Be aware that there is a cold surge because all the water in the pipes has to be pushed out before getting to the hot water. Once it is on, you get plenty of hot water. We live in NJ, so I don't know how warm their make up water is, but I would imagine close to yours. I just watched an episode of Ask This Old House about the amount of water lost getting the hot to the faucet. They showed a recirculating pump setup that you turn on to recirculate the cold water back into the holding tank until it gets hot. It works really well, but when I priced it for my daughters house, it was almost 0, so we will continue wasting some water for now.

43. QUESTION:
    Who manufacturers tankless water heaters and do they really work? What are the considerations?

    • ANSWER:
      We are going the tankless route in our home remodel due to space constraints. I found a list of manufacturers at a site called www.getwithgreen.com under their Water Heater category. In addition to the list of manufacturers (and links are provided directly to those manufacturers) there are some Comments on experiences.

      What I also captured on the site was rebate information. Definitely something we will be leveraging when we make our purchase in about a month.

      I'd check the site out for a quick look into manufacturers.

44. QUESTION:
    Tankless Water Heaters - How Do They Work for Heating Home Water?
    Are there any energy efficient alternatives to it?

    • ANSWER:
      A tankless water heater is quite simple. Instead of constantly drawing energy to heat, maintain and reheat water in a large tank, these heaters flash-heat the water by running through a heat exchange.

      When hot water is needed, sensors will signal the burners to light and heat the water. When the hot water is no longer needed, the whole system just shuts down and there is no pilot light.

      A tankless heater can save 40-60% on your heating bill. A solar water heater is an equivalent alternative.

45. QUESTION:
    Where can I find affordable, good quality, tankless water heaters?

    • ANSWER:
      You'll have to wait until they come into existence.

      At this point, you don't want a cheap one, and the installation is also pretty expensive. Some of it you can't get around, like up-sizing the gas piping, or the stainless-steel venting.

46. QUESTION:
    Does anyone know anything about tankless water heaters?
    Are they safe? Are they efficient? Do they save money? Is there anything you don't like about them?

    • ANSWER:
      As a builder, people are starting to request tankless water heaters moreoften, especially in more expensive homes. They are definitely safe, very efficient, which is why people want them because they save money. They cost more up-front but pay for themselves in the long run because they use less energy than traditional tank water heaters. The on-demand capacity of the heaters makes them especially friendly from an environmental perspective.

47. QUESTION:
    Why are tankless water heaters better than tank type - if at all?

    • ANSWER:
      Tankless is better. Your only heating water you use instead of heating same water over and over. Also when drawing water from hot water tank it's being replaced with cold water cooling down water you already heated.

48. QUESTION:
    What do you know about tankless water heaters.?
    I know they are more expensive, but they use alot less power. Does anyone have one and do you like it?

    • ANSWER:
      Well, I just replaced my hot water heater last week as did 3 of my neighbors and did a lot of research on whether a tankless was the way to go. One neighbor went with the highly rated Bosch system and two of us went with the traditional tank water heater. What did it for me is that I ran the ROI (return on investment) for our usage and situation against the energy savings and discovered that the unit and installation of a tankless model would pay itself off in 25 years. This is largely due to the fact that the hot water heater with a tank would run on natural gas and the tankless on electricity. Where I live, electric is so much more expensive than the gas is and with the purchase and installation of the tankless model taken into consideration the savings were not all that impressive. And, because the vent pipes we presently have are 3" and the tankless takes 5" the cost to retrofit and route through the attic made installation almost as expensive as the unit.

49. QUESTION:
    How effective are electric tankless water heaters?

    • ANSWER:
      they r very effictive most also sell a stainless reserve tank if u have kids so u never run out they r very efficent also as they only heat hot water as it is need ...

50. QUESTION:
    Tankless hot water heaters - Pro or con. I'll need to replace my regular heater soon.?
    I have the standard electric hot water heater which is pushing 13 years old. I'm noticing that it is not supplying enough hot water when showering, etc. Thinking of going tankless to save electricity and water, but I need to know how well they work. Any comments, suggestions, etc. will be greatly apprececiated.

    • ANSWER:
      They work great. Unfortunately they are a lot more expensive than a regular water heater. They will eventually pay for themselves.
      check prices here. There are other sites. I am a Realtor and I have seen these in homes. people seem to rave about them.