[tsayyote]

Looking to change my tank to a tankless and found this guy https://www.lowes.com/pd/Rinnai-7-5...h-Efficiency-Tankless-Water-Heater/1000667047 on sale at Lowes for $799 until tomorrow that seems to be good (unless you guys know something different about it).



Through the southern California gas co. they are offering a rebate of $600 but there is a stipulation that if the unit is bought at Lowes, they rebate is applied instantly when you buy it. I've gone to 2 different Lowes and talked to maybe 8 sales people that have no idea about it and couldn't figure out how to do the transaction. I've called the gas co and all they said was to talk to a Lowes Manager to have the proper paperwork filled out at the register. :help:



Has anybody in CA done this? It's a long shot posting here, I know, but you never know.

 

[dj3]

So, go talk to the store manager.
But my question to you is: why do you want to switch from conventional natural gas water heater to tankless?

 

[tsayyote]

No one know what to do at Lowe's. I asked a store manager and he had no idea about it.

Reason for switching is savings on monthly has bill. Plus with an $800 unit -$600 rebate, it's a pretty good deal. We bought this place about 8 months ago and it currently has an AO Smith 40gal from 2002. It's making loud gurgling noises (sediment) even after a flush so the wife is worried about it.

 

[Joeywhat]

The website says the rebate is included in the price of the unit shown at Lowes. Sounds like the price listed is what you pay.

 

[dj3]

I'd recommend a new tank natural gas water heater. The conventional kind that has been around since RUUD invented it.
Trust me, it will be cheaper.
If you don't believe me do a search on things like "Cost to install a tankless WH" or "Complaints over Rinnai tankless WH".

 

[chandler48]

I'd check into the actual cost of the unit. The discount may already be included. The units usually will run about $1200. @dj3, I've had our Rinnai for a little over 2 years and absolutely love it. No running out of hot water because of more than one shower at a time or using the dishwasher while showering. I switched from electric to gas and my electric bill dropped a good bit and our gas usage is really less than I anticipated. We are on propane and my game cameras have picked up on the gas delivery trucks coming and going on several occasions without dropping gas. They finally said they would extend their automatic fill service unless I called them to add fuel. Very pleased. Proper maintenance is, of course, a must, but you don't have to deal with sediment, nor heating water while you are asleep, or away from the house while working, etc.

 

[TarheelTerp]

another vote to stick with the conventional type WH to replace the one you have

 

[Old Thomas]

We are on our third tank type 40 gallon gas water heater in our NY house in the last 40 years. Even when we had kids at home I don’t recall ever running out of hot water. Sometimes I washed my truck with hot water in the winter. If you want lower utility bills and you are concerned about running out of hot water, perhaps you should look at where all your hot water goes. Our FL house has a tankless, it is mounted on the outside of the house. If not for that, I would have put in a tank. Tankless is complex and costly to maintain. Your money.

 

[dj3]

Chandler48 - of course there are success stories with tankless, but your unit is relatively new. If you don't do the suggested maintenance, your warranty may not be valid when you need it the most, and there's a lot of maintenance required.
That's why I suggested to read, study and watch vids on the subject, because with ample knowledge, every homeowner can make his/her best decision.
My experience in running dozens of rental homes for 45 years says: keep conventional WHs.
The main reasons:
- No need for expensive modifications to the gas lines, water lines and vent.
- EZ and quick swap when needed.
- Costs.
- Payback time.
- In my area it's important to know you have 40 or 50 gallons of water in a major earthquake (when water supply is shut down). Tank water can be made potable fairly easily.
Tank WHs out sell tankless by a lot in my area, and there's no secret why.

 

[chandler48]

The only maintenance required is back washing it with a pump, hoses and vinegar. It is set up to do it seamlessly, so there's no rocket science to it. I agree, do your studies and rely on what others have experienced. Maybe you'll be lucky, too.

Our tank was electric, 20 years old, not leaking, and in fact, in pristine shape, but I knew it was EOL and Installing a tankless was a no brainer for our lifestyle. Plus the rebates from the gas company made sense.

Tankless may not be for everyone. Caveat emptor.

 

[Ghostmaker]

Good unit Japanese made. First ones in the USA with tankless then the rest followed. You will need to upsize the gasline to the tankless 1/2 inch may not cut it.
You also have to service annually to clean them of sediment buildup.

 

[chandler48]

Yep, simple pump, a couple of washing machine hoses, a bucket and some vinegar and it cleans it really well after an hour. Vinegar turned green, so it must have cleaned it.