Tankless Hot Water Heater

[Guest Traumaslave]

Anybody know anything about these? It's time to change my LP heater and I really hate running out of hot water in the shower. Thought about one of the tankless. Now they do cost more but, I think I would save alot of $$$ not keeping water hot when not in use. I figure I only use hot water 30min out of 24 hrs in a day. I have been looking at the Bosch 2700es.

[enfield]

The cost is comparable to tank water heaters. If you don't use hot water often, they should save you energy costs. I've read that they will last up to twice as long as a tank heater. Lowe's sells two electric versions, the smaller of which would be big enough for a small family. The smaller one requires 200 Amp service and takes two dedicated 40 amp 220V circuits. The bigger one requires three 40A circuits. They sense flow thru the hot water lines and turn on the heat when flow is detected. I don't have any personal experience with them.

I understand there are gas versions available, but I don't know anything about them.

[Guest Traumaslave]

Would get the propane model.

[musicman]

From what my plumber buddy tells me, the electric ones are worthless... you gotta get one that's rated WAAAYYYY over what you actually need, but he says the gas ones are great. Ask your buddies if any of them know a plumber they trust, and get his number. I've got one who is awesome. He's done work for me, my church, and most of my friends. Unfortunately, he's just outside Nashville and probably won't drive all the way out to Knoxville. Let me know if you want his number anyway. He probably wouldn't mind at least talking to you about it.

[Curiousgb]

I was thinking of replacing my LP tank with a tankless. After all my research I came to the conclusion that it wasn't worth the bucks. It seems that it takes a lot of fuel to raise the temp on the tankless. Not to mention the initial cost of installation. It would take about 13 years to recoup the cost.

[TGO David]

Let me know if you want his number anyway. He probably wouldn't mind at least talking to you about it.

I'll rat you out if you try to use that as a referral!

[Builder Bob]

I had the idea about the great savings and convience of a on-demand water heater (tankless) but electric is NOT the way to go. My electric experience was not one I would recommend, besides that lightening does a number on them! I went back to a regular tank heater after the lightening strike, with a seperate timer I could set when it would come on and off and was much happier. This way I could run the unit for two hours in the morning and two in the evening.

I have heard good things about the gas units though.

[BimmerFreak]

I went with a tankless system this year and love it.

(+)

Endless supply of hot water

Takes up way less space in your laundry room or garage

More efficient that traditional tanks

(-)

Cost

[musicman]

I'll rat you out if you try to use that as a referral!

[Guest jackdog]

my son in Mich has a tank less. And he loves it. cost was about same on purchase and he says they are far more economical. His is a gas unit.

[R1100R]

When I lived in Germany almost 30 years ago all the places I rented were tankless.

They were electric and worked great. I could never find out why they were not

popular here. I know the ac current ran different (220 I think). I was thinking to switch to electric tankless. Anyone know if it is because its 110?

[Fadex]

Go with the gas one.

The electric ones are fine in the summer, fall, and spring. In the winter the ones they sell in the US don't have enough heat output to overcome the difference in the incoming water temperature. A 90 degree shower is no fun.

[Guest boatme99]

I'd go for a regular water heater and wrap it with an insulation kit.