Tankless water heater

[Pinusbanksiana]

Been looking at these but what I have heard is that you need to have pretty large diameter gas lines from the propane tank to the water heater. Any one have experience with these?

[pikechaser]

They are very high BTU units. You need to have adequate gas supply as well as a large enough chimney for the exaust as well. so the initial cost could be pretty significant. I have also heard there is a fair amount of upkeep with them as well. I have never worked on one, so I honestly dont know..but thats what I have been told. IMO more trouble than their worth...

[PerchPounder]

The exhaust needs to be at least 5ft from any other exhaust pipe which could lead to clearance issues for some. Otherwise I've heard good things from the few people I know that have them.

[Pinusbanksiana]

I read that they need specific size feed lines for propane and my propane tank does not have that size. Actually it has something to do with the distance from a propane tank to the unit, mine being about 200 feet and way too far for the diameter of my line. I am actually thinking of getting a couple 100 pound tanks and keeping them in a enclosure next the house just to run the hot water heater. 1500 tax rebate on these units this year, and I need a new one anyway. More research is needed and if anyone knows any more, please teach me.

[pikechaser]

Save youself some money & headaches..get a standard waterheater...not having a large enough gas line to handle the load...more than likely having to change venting to a larger size..maintaining/repairing the unit...gonna eat up the rebate & sposed cost savings in a big hurry....

[Ringtailhunter]

I would encourage you to talk to your propane dealer, they can give you the info you need. It may be as simple as moving your regulator closer to your house. The tankless water heaters are totally worth the money in my opinion, you dont heat and reheat water.

Just make sure it is sized for the use you will need and a little extra.

[Archerysniper]

I have put some in before on job sites and they have never really worked right they are really picky you have to get the right flow or the sizeing of them or they will not work correctly.

[nobody05]

I have a riannai and have never had a problem with it for the past 6 years. you absoutly need a water softner before it to keep the scale from buildup. not sure about the gas line you will have to talk to a gas man being i'm on nat gas I didnt have to worry!

[Farmboy1]

There are some municipalities that are not allowing these units for some very stupid reasons. Make sure you check with your building officials before installation and make sure it is allowable.

Most homes do not have the gas line sized properly for these as they have a high gas useage. Make sure someone in the know sizes this properly.

When they did calculations for my place, they recommended that I needed (2) 175,000 BTU units for two full baths and one 3/4 bath. At double the cost for the unit, and then having to buy 2, I went with a 50 gallon power vent unit and am very happy.

[Tom7227]

I'm not able to see what sense these make in most single family home settings. All the concern about heat loss from a standard unit ignores the fact that the heat is being 'used' probably 6 months out of the year around here. Helps keep the basement warm. Sure, it's not as efficient as the furnace but it also doesn't cost much either. If you add in the install costs to one of the tankless rigs the numbers just don't seem to work as far as I can tell.

[Pinusbanksiana]

All good information so far, keep it coming. I am surprised at the comments against the water heaters. On paper it looks like a great deal. It would be way easier to hook up a new standard thats for sure.

[Redlantern]

I've installed them. One house had low pressure gas at the meter. Had to start at the meter and increase the size of the threaded pipe all the way back to the water heater. Not sure what my boss charged for it but I'll bet it was more than the cost of the heater. Homeowners also don't typically like where the vent ends up, either. Sucks to have to tell them they don't really have much choice on the matter.

What's the life expectancy of this heater? Probably no more than a conventional heater, I'd guess. I'm thinking you're better off going with either a conventional or a power vent.

[backlash 1]

Read my lips ---- TROUBLE---- If your normal water heater goes down I can get it going with pretty standard available parts. If your tankless goes down, you're gonna be SOL. You ever look under the panel on one of them?

[MNice]

I'm moving to Prior Lake this Friday, 2 yr old house with a electric heater. I'm going with a gas eternal brand heater. Friend on mine owns a company and has one is his house, so I'm going to be a guinea pig. My gas is easy to up size, venting will be easy too. The main reason I'm doing it is to get rid of the elec, then I'll have a nice service for my basement wood shop.

[Surface Tension]

"Friend on mine owns a company and has one is his house, so I'm going to be a guinea pig. My gas is easy to up size, venting will be easy too. "

Under those circumstances, I'd go for it too.

[MNice]

Frank, I may have mislead, being guinea pig, I'm still paying for the unit, just at his cost, and best of all, I get to install it too!! whoopee!!

[Pinusbanksiana]

Does he need another tester? Going to Home depot today to probably buy one despite all the negative reviews here. Believe me, after reading the reviews here I really put this purchase into consideration, but the wife wants it so I am pretty much screwed now.

[Surface Tension]

I figured your getting a break in price but more importantly, your friend will be "on 24 hour call".

[opsirc]

have been thinking about replacing the old water heater with a tankless. I used them when I was overseas, never had a problem and they cranked out hot water all day.

[CJH]

have been thinking about replacing the old water heater with a tankless. I used them when I was overseas, never had a problem and they cranked out hot water all day.

These may be "new" in the US, but they have been used in Europe for a long time. You need soft water, but it only fires when you need it, and they should have a longer life than a tank that is going to break down and fail. NGas is cheap right now, but the price is only going to go up in the future and make these more appealing in the US.

[backlash 1]

Let us know what your wife thinks of cold showers

[Surface Tension]

Let us know what your wife thinks of cold showers

Oh man, yea that could be trouble right there.

[Pinusbanksiana]

Went to Home Depot, the guy who knows the most was out for the day so I didn't buy it. I wanted to know more about them first. Plus, the thousand dollar figure was a shocker, especially when right next to it was a 500 dollar tank! Our current heater was installed in this house in 1975, so it is way over due for replacement. As far as the wife and cold showers, doesn't sound all that bad!

[backlash 1]

Ya nobody wants it to come down to waking up to a cold shower. Good luck in whatever decision you make.

[krinkle]

First off do not buy one from home depot. There are a lot of components on these heaters and you will get no help from home depot on service needs.

Check with you gas company for gas line requirements. They will know the best about this. There are sizing charts to be used to size the pipe and your company will know what pressures you are dealing with. Going with old rule of thumb this size or that size is just guessing.

Look at a unit that can be vented with PVC. The Eternal or Navien units will do this. Navien is what I have and is working well. Have heard if I ever need parts or service on this it may be challenging. I would put a Eternal in if I did it again.

You can not vent most of these units up a standard chimney not matter what the size is. You either purchase one that can vent with PVC or a unit that requires a stainless steel vent system (mo money).

Yes you need soft water to keep one of these units running properly. Some require descaling ever year or 2.

If the main reason you are looking to install a tankless water heater is to save money keep looking. It will be many years before you recoop the cost of the heater, installation and future service of the unit. Think I figured 12 years when running the numbers on mine and that was with the tax credit. I charged myself threw the nose for the installation so was able to get the entire $1500 credit. %30 of $1000 is not $1500 but I bet $1500 is the hook a lot of big box stores are using. I just quoted a customer $3600 for a Eternal install including the heater. Keep in mind this was a very easy install and the cheapest I have quoted yet.