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Random Quote: Keep the water under you, not over you!!
Many "pros" hate them... usually because they don't know how to work on them, and because they last longer than a tank.
I have had a Baxi tankless for about 6 years now (it also does my home's heat), and I have NOTHING buy TERRIFIC things to say about it.
I DO recommend you stay away from Bosch units. IF you can afford it, look into the Navien brand. They are totally amazing and fully condensing -- they aren't cheap, but the efficiency and the PVC vent totally kicks ass.
I could go on and on, but I think you can tell -- I'm biased.
I need new water heater and want to switch to tankless any info would be great.
I looked into one recently and came away with this info. First they cost more, about $500 compared witha traditional 40Gal. tank.
In NJ they have to be mounted and placed on an outside wall of the home, so if your current heater is located in the center of your home expect a plumbing bill.
They also require a larger vent hole, meaning additional work and maybe even roof work depending on how your vented currently.
I think you also need a 3/4" water line feeding the unit so if you have older plumbing it may be yet another cost to you.
On the good side of things in NJ you can qualify for up to $1,500 tax credit if you install one, but I've yet to check into all the red tape, terms and conditions of this tax credit.
Hope I've been of some help, report back on what you wound up doing.
I have a rinnai and love it all the hot water you could ever use and with todays plastic pipes a breeze to install. I have had it for two years and it save alot on the gas bill I figure in 6-7 yrs pay back plus the tax credit
I put in a Rinnai this year. So far it's been great. Compact, plenty of HW, it seems economical. A lot of my econony comes in the summer since I spend a lot of time at the boat. Typically there are 2-3 days a week that I am not heating any water.
Had a Noritz NG unit put in last June. Love it so far. My gas bill is about $15-20 a month, and my power bill has dropped at least as much. Only drawback is it takes longer for the water to run hot in those areas a little farther from the heater, but I consider that trade-off worth it.
Best $1500.00 I have spent in a long time.
Had a Noritz NG unit put in last June. Love it so far. My gas bill is about $15-20 a month, and my power bill has dropped at least as much. Only drawback is it takes longer for the water to run hot in those areas a little farther from the heater, but I consider that trade-off worth it.
Best $1500.00 I have spent in a long time.
I noticed the same thing with mine (it's a Rannai). My monthly gas bill for Sept. was $16, and it was $15 for Aug. and July. Our gas co. charges a $10/mo "facilities charge", so the heater uses about five bucks a month worth of gas. I like that it takes up less space than a tank, which has given me room to put useless crap in the basement that i should probably throw out anyway.
__________________ Proud member of Professor Eyeball, Esq., MD, MBA's ignore list since 2008.
Last edited by Hydro; 11-02-2009 at 05:10 AM.
Reason: added manuf. name for heater
I *THINK* Rheem is a rebranded model (I don't know who makes them). The condensing ones that are out now kick total ass.
There is some validity to the point that it takes longer for water to get to some areas... but when you consider the fact that you're not being an idiot by heating water you aren't going to use, and the fact that you can sit and take a shower for as long as you want, not as long as some antiquated systems lets you... it is SOOOOOOOOOOOOO worth it.
When my wife saw the little "suitcase" hanging on my wall in my utility room, she didn't understand how it could heat an entire house AND supply the hot water.
Once she saw it in action, she said, "Ah! I know where I've seen these before... Europe!, why don't other people in the US have them?"
My reply? The same reason we don't drive manual transmission cars and diesels.
I agree with Tommy. We're all electric in our area too. An interesting option, especially if your water heater is in a space where you could use additional cooling, is a HEAT PUMP water heater.
I did some research on tankless electrics and the problem I had was that the cheap ones were fly by night companies you'd never heard of, and even then you were in it for $450+. If it broke after a few years I had little confidence the manufacturers would be around to honor the warranties. However everyone says they do work fine here in south florida, a neighbor has had one for a couple years no, no complaints.
The heat pump (condensing?) units seem to be a 5000 btu air conditioner mounted on top of a hot water tank. This strikes me as both ironic and awesome. But looked like about $1100? If they had these when I redid mine a couple years back I would have seriously considered it - seems like a good excuse to air condition your garage or give a slight boost to your existing AC for "free". There's even a company making a retrofit kit to go on top of your existing tank model - now that REALLY looks like a window unit...
When it came right down to it though, a few hundred bucks bought me a nice super insulated tank model at Lowes with a 10 (?) year warranty, was hard to argue with the economics of that decision.
Anyone use tankless water heater for there home? 
