Would you invest in Tankless Water Heater?

oodssoo

Currently, we have gas 50 gallon waterheater for the house, and will need to add a second one for a finished basement apartment. It is a toss up on the investment idea to rid the water heaters and install ONE tankless.

So, being that this site has provided many helpful and insightful point of views, this quandry is now being presented to you!

Please share your thoughts with us.

Thank you.

ddawg16

I did a lot of research into the very subject. Several factors determine the final decision....

If you have gas....the potential payback will take about as long as the life of the tankless unit.

Since you mentioned that you have 2 heaters...chances are that they are feeding different parts of the house. If you go to one, then your looking at increaseing the time it takes to get water to the distant parts of the house that 'was' served by the removed water heater.

Also understand that electric tankless units require anual maint....and it not properly maintained, could have issues.

Since you live in the SE....have you looked at heat pump water heaters? About the same price as a tankless...but use a whole let less electricity.

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mae-ling

My house came with the tankless heater. As far as having continuous hot water when 4 people shower, do laundry and dishes all back to back I love it.

oodssoo

One of my concerns for any type of water heater is that the tank will leak. Each time I stare at my water heater, I just think it is a ticking time bomb...

So, is there any option out there that eliminates this concern?

Mae-Ling, what kind of tankless do you have? If you don't mind, please share your thoughts and experience with me...

algored2deth

If you could invent a waterless water heater, then you would have the problem solved

oodssoo

Well, that leads to the next set of questions....

Starting with ... What is the most reliable and low-maintenance type of tankless water heater available on the market todate?

algored2deth

If you are going to research these type of things, start here

http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/...-water-heaters

I would also tell you to check out Fine Home Building website as well. Search around the GBA site as well as some things can be buried there.

Whether or not it is worth it requires quite a bit effort. I would start by finding out installation costs as that will probably be the biggest hit upfront. Perhaps getting a couple quotes by plumbers/installers would be good. In general I have seen on demand heaters to cost at least 2x as much for the install.

joecaption

For just an apartmant there is no need for a 50 gal tank. A 40 gal would be more then enough.
There's just no way there's every going to be a pay back on a new install on a tankless heater.
Make the calls as suggested to see what just the installs going to cost you.
As mentioned it's going to be far more then just the heater.

ddawg16

One other point and conclusion that I came to in my research....

The only time a tankless is worth it is when you need either the space or endless supply of water.

If space is not an issue and/or you are not running out of hot water......tankless is not the way to go.

Think about it....you get 15 plus years out of a tank water heater...that costs half of a tankless....the average tankless 'might' give you 20 years at twice the cost.

And....where do you think water heating technology will be 10 years from now?

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bcgfdc3

I have contemplated this for some time also. I have two daughters that will be turning teenagers soon and along with the wife I can only imagine the amount of hot water I will need then. But I think if the hot water is endless, what is the motivation to get out of the shower in a timely manner on those cold mornings.

ddawg16

it's easy to get girls out of the shower quick.....tell them they have a txt msg on their phone....

The wife? Get in the tub with her.

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md2lgyk

I faced this decision when I built my log house four years ago (wife and I built it ourselves). I went with a gas tankless from Rheem. Bought it at Home Depot (largely for their 10% military discount). There was no installation cost since I did it myself. The size of the unit was a major consideration as I have no garage or basement, and limited attic space (cathedral ceiling).

Fix'n it

i did research on this, many years ago. one good reason to have one is when there is only one person in the house, that is often not home (i had a neighbor like this). they are not paying to heat water that is not being used for a while.

the other day i got a manards sale paper. it had a 50gl tank and a good sized tankless for the same $650.

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oodssoo

md2lgyk,

How has the unit been for you in terms of maintenance and reliability?

(It's easy for people to sway other's away by simply just saying "it's high maintenance"...)

Thank you.

mae-ling

Ours is about 4 years old, came with the house.
Like the continuous hot water.
Can't really speak to maintenance or costs.