Has anyone dumped their tank and went with a tankless version? From what I understand the rub is venting these units correctly. Any specific models out there to look for?
Tankless Water Heaters
- Thread starter dannyballs
- Start date
I had one when I lived in China. Don't underestimate the need to vent it properly. I almost killed myself with mine.
I'll check with the city. I believe the only horizontal exhaust options are for low temp appliances.
My boss has one and it works pretty good. Unlimited hot water...well, until his oil tank out back runs dry 
. I'd go for it and if I ever remodeled a house, I'd go for the tankless.
Go over and search on Pirate4x4, a lot of people made the switch with great results.
. I'd go for it and if I ever remodeled a house, I'd go for the tankless.Go over and search on Pirate4x4, a lot of people made the switch with great results.
They're advertising them down here really heavily. I do know over in europe they used them a whole lot. they use them in areas of England and Scotland when I was there as well.
We just went from a badly-calcified 40-gal heater to a brand-new 75-gal, and things went peachy ever since. I'm not even sure the gas consumption went up any.
That said... half of Russia is using natural-gas tankless water heaters, and happy with it.
That said... half of Russia is using natural-gas tankless water heaters, and happy with it.
My in-laws got one at both their houses out in Oregon..I loved 'em and I'll switch next time around for sure.
I'm thinking of going the same route and ditching my current tanked water heater. The pilot light keeps going out and I'm sick of not knowing if I'm getting a hot or cold shower in the morning. Or with my luck, the gas safety will quit working and the next thing I know I'll be blown half way across the neighborhood.
So far the only down side that I have seen in the ones that I have looked at is that if you loose power to your house you won't have hot water like you would with a natural gas tanked water heater. Also, they cost more then the standard water heaters.
So far the only down side that I have seen in the ones that I have looked at is that if you loose power to your house you won't have hot water like you would with a natural gas tanked water heater. Also, they cost more then the standard water heaters.
I've had a Bosch Tankless for about 5 years now. Model I believe is a 125 natual gas version. I can't say enough good things about it. Venting is a bit of an issue due to the size of vent needed. Most require at least a 5 inch vent with plenty of draft.
Take Care,
-Nate
Take Care,
-Nate
ptschram
Well-known member
brianhoberg said:
I have taken a lot of less-than-warm showers in the UK (England) and Ireland...
Of course, I've also stayed in rooms where five-pence only got you enough gas to get under the covers before the five pence worth of gas was used up!
We had several of them that we had installed at a farm we lived on. All Bosch units from small units that ran water to just large sinks to family sized units for multiple bathrooms, etc. They worked great, but yes the hassle/extra work can be venting them. But depending on the application they can save some coin.
I have a Noritz nat gas one. The details I remember:
A few years back I chose it because the I've got three kids and got tired of running out of hot water. There was also a $300 tax credit (it's now 30% of the install price). I was considering doing it myself, but the 20yr tank crapped out in the middle of Jan and I didn't have time to plan all of the exhaust/install details (to meet code).
The plumber who did it tied it into my existing furnace exhaust, but only because my chimney flue had a flexible flue that ran to the top (I'm fuzzy on details of how that met code right now). Generally, you need SS pipe for the exhaust. They can be run horizontally (shorter run = less $).
It was a bit more than 2X the cost of a tank (~$1200). I got a digital control to set the temp, which was extra. Make sure you size it right (or over size) as the rate it can supply hot water is dependent on the intake water temp (colder in the winter) and how much hot water you are drawing (two showers, a dishwasher, washing machine, etc) at one time.
There is a slight delay in hot water delivery time, I'd say 30-45s, but nothing outlandish.
I estimated I save ~$10-12/mo on my nat gas bills the first year I had it (nat gas was higher $ then). ROI should be 7-10 years. But the real benefit is never running out of hot water. It has a 20 yr warranty on the heating tube.
I love mine and recommend them if you can afford the extra coin.
A few years back I chose it because the I've got three kids and got tired of running out of hot water. There was also a $300 tax credit (it's now 30% of the install price). I was considering doing it myself, but the 20yr tank crapped out in the middle of Jan and I didn't have time to plan all of the exhaust/install details (to meet code).
The plumber who did it tied it into my existing furnace exhaust, but only because my chimney flue had a flexible flue that ran to the top (I'm fuzzy on details of how that met code right now). Generally, you need SS pipe for the exhaust. They can be run horizontally (shorter run = less $).
It was a bit more than 2X the cost of a tank (~$1200). I got a digital control to set the temp, which was extra. Make sure you size it right (or over size) as the rate it can supply hot water is dependent on the intake water temp (colder in the winter) and how much hot water you are drawing (two showers, a dishwasher, washing machine, etc) at one time.
There is a slight delay in hot water delivery time, I'd say 30-45s, but nothing outlandish.
I estimated I save ~$10-12/mo on my nat gas bills the first year I had it (nat gas was higher $ then). ROI should be 7-10 years. But the real benefit is never running out of hot water. It has a 20 yr warranty on the heating tube.
I love mine and recommend them if you can afford the extra coin.
Thanks Scott. Does your unit have an electronic (battery) backup in the event of a power failure?
sven said:
full electric can drive your energy consumption way up. we did a remodel on a row house in DC for a guy that insisted we do small, point of source electric tankless at each sink. it was a big contributor to the electrical service to the property being increased by 50%.