water heater failed .. need a new one ... tankless?

[albireo13]

I often hear that tankless systems have more of a lag in delivering hot water. I am curious about that. I always felt that the lag was due to having to heat up the long run of pipe from the heater to the faucet. This should be the same issue with either type of water heater.

 

[Retired Expat]

I have done tankless and found that unless you keep up the flow rate it doesn’t kick in and make hot water. So if you only need warm or tepid they don’t work well unless you open the faucets fully. They may save energy but they really increased our water bill! Could have been the unit we had wasn’t high tech enough….

 

[Retired Expat]

Oh and for those that suggest turning down the temperature so you are not mixing cold in, please remember that the dishwasher or washer was designed for at least 120 degree hot water

 

[Momcpa]

We've had tankless for a number of years. Like someone else said, my concern was getting the hot water to the kitchen faster as it was in the far corner from the water heater. We spent the money to have a tube/connector of some type to run directly to the kitchen faucet. It solved the problem. Our heater has a 'timer' where I can set which hours I want that connection to have hot water at the ready. I can set it to be "on" from 8 am to whatever time I want. Then the rest of the time it isn't on. I asked the installer if having this option cost me a lot more electricity......he didn't know.

 

[pb4uski]

I often hear that tankless systems have more of a lag in delivering hot water. I am curious about that. I always felt that the lag was due to having to heat up the long run of pipe from the heater to the faucet. This should be the same issue with either type of water heater.

There is a minor additional lag of tankless compared to tanks. Let's say that tank and tankless are in the same location... assuming that no hot water had been used recently and no recirculation system the water in the pipes from the water heater to the fixture would be room temperature.

When hot water is called for using either system there is a lag as the room temperature water is flushed out of the pipes, followed by hot water... that lag would be the same.

However, for a tank the new water entering is hot right away whereas for tankless it needs to be heated... I'm guessing the additional lag is probably 5-10 seconds.

 

[frances]

Our main complaint with tankless is how long it takes hot water to get to the destination. Other than that had been quite happy with it for 10 years.

Our Takagi developed some slightly erratic behavior a couple of years ago. We have to occasionally reset it outside. No product support locally anymore unfortunately. We need to replace it, but newer models don’t quite fit. Will have to figure it out.

we have a tankless and have the same issue with how long the furthest away tap takes to get hot water.

We also had erratic hot water recently and decided it was time to do a descaling. Upon investigation learned that tankless are recommended to be descaled every 12-18 months, so maybe that's a thing for you too? Ours hadn't been done ever, and installation was I don't remember when.... Oopsise. (we have a Navian)

 

[mailbagman]

Have tankless for 16 years

We have used a tankless hot water heater for 16 years. As soon as we got it our electric bill dropped $50 a month.

We can use the dishwasher, washer and take a shower without running out of hot water.

 

[Murph]

We have a 40G capacity tanked water heater which has sprung a leak and needs replacing. We moved into the house 2.5yrs ago so, not sure on the age.

Anyway, I am thinking of replacing it with a tankless system but, have no experience with them. The concept sounds great but, I don't want to run out of hot water in a shower!

We have natural gas and a 2-shower home. Two adults but, possibly more if guests stay over or one of the kids has to move home. : )

Looking for feedback from users of tankless water heaters. Are you happy with them? Any recommendations?

Thx

We love ours. Had it installed in our garage (created more space in our tiny utility room) about 12 years ago. Just remember to clean the filters once a year.

 

[51togo]

We have a 40G capacity tanked water heater which has sprung a leak and needs replacing. We moved into the house 2.5yrs ago so, not sure on the age.

Anyway, I am thinking of replacing it with a tankless system but, have no experience with them. The concept sounds great but, I don't want to run out of hot water in a shower!

We have natural gas and a 2-shower home. Two adults but, possibly more if guests stay over or one of the kids has to move home. : )

Looking for feedback from users of tankless water heaters. Are you happy with them? Any recommendations?

Thx

I’ve to say the tankless water heater is the best modification on my house among many other. In terms of return of investment, it’s top of my list. My house is build in 1955 so after several water heaters from 1985, in 2005 I replace it with a Rheem it’s model RTG-74XN-2. We had two daughters she family of 4. When we had our 40 gallons tank, we occasionally run out of water if everyone take a shower continuously. I replaced the tank during a copper pipe upgrade, don’t remember the price but was reasonable.
The contractor asked me if I want to install an inlet filter to pick up sand/ debris but will reduce water pressure. I decided not to so expecting a 10 years lifespan. It’s still working great today 17 years old. Another benifit for us would be moving the water tank from the closet or tank storage area freed up an significant space where we added a needed pantry. Highly recommended not to mention l, in the area of safety and maintenance. Good luck to your project!

 

[albireo13]

OP here ..
Getting a few quotes on the job. Will decide soon

 

[meleana]

We have a 40G capacity tanked water heater which has sprung a leak and needs replacing. We moved into the house 2.5yrs ago so, not sure on the age.

Anyway, I am thinking of replacing it with a tankless system but, have no experience with them. The concept sounds great but, I don't want to run out of hot water in a shower!

We have natural gas and a 2-shower home. Two adults but, possibly more if guests stay over or one of the kids has to move home. : )

Looking for feedback from users of tankless water heaters. Are you happy with them? Any recommendations?

Thx

We have a propane fired tankless. We are just two adults in an 1100 square foot cottage. It keeps up with our needs, even if, for example, we run the dishwasher and shower at the same time.

The only thing we don’t like about it is that when you first turn the hot faucet on- like first thing on the morning- it takes a while for the water to get hot, but once it does it’s unlimited.

It took awhile for us to get used to it, but we like it and it takes up less room in the basement.

 

[Montecfo]

My experience with in-laws' tankless system (part of new construction) has not been very good. Water takes forever to get there, and never seems very hot.

I'm sure some of this is installation specific, but it convinces me this is a mixed bag. I have no plans to change anything out.

 

[troutnut1]

My Bosch tankless was a disaster in Montana. Excited about it and the tax credit I got I thought I’d finally have all the hot water I wanted. The first problem is that my propane supply line was inadequate. Unexpected expense. Then I found out my old style flue was inadequate because tese things burn much hotter and this required a much larger flue. Another unexpected expense. When I finally got it installed I found another major problem. Montana well water is COLD. It takes a long time, even with huge flames, to heat it from 45 to bath temperature. Nobody mentioned that at Home Depot. I had to turn the water on long before hot water started flowing. And then the flow wasn’t what I was expecting because it had to go through the system slowly to reach an adequate temp. So we suffered along because the old system was gone and this one had been pretty expensive. But then I cam home from skiing on an exceptionally cold winter day to find water spraying everywhere from my Bosch. It was flooding the house. I got drenched just trying to stop it. An autopsy showed to huge flue I’d had to install to support the huge flame let cold air come it in sufficient quantity to freeze and brake the pipes inside the unit. So out came everything. Flue removed and holes patched with a new roof. Its all in storage now and I have no idea why. Maybe if I retire to Florida it will work with a can of Flexiseal and their nice warm city water.

 

[67walkon]

I have a 13 year old tankless gas unit in a 2d home. I love it. I flush it once a year to clean out deposits. Works like a charm. If my primary home had gas, I would install one here. Go for it!

 

[Deuce]

I don’t think you’ll ever save enough money with a tankless water heater to make up for the initial cost of the more expensive system and the installation cost. Also how long do they last with the enormous heat required to operate them? From everything I have read it’s a losing proposition.

 

[imnontrad]

I was told that in Colorado, a tankless heater is a bad idea. this is because our water is from snowmelt and it comes through the water system VERY cold. This means that a tankless heater cannot heat it hot enough the time needed.

 

[pb4uski]

I don’t think you’ll ever save enough money with a tankless water heater to make up for the initial cost of the more expensive system and the installation cost. Also how long do they last with the enormous heat required to operate them? From everything I have read it’s a losing proposition.

What enormous heat? I don't think you know what you are talking about. Mine is high efficiency and the exhaust is only about 110-120F.

I actually saved a boatload by installing a tankless water heater when we rebuilt in 2011. As I recall, the tankless unit was less than $2k. But we designed the plumbing to use the tankless water heater for both domestic hot water and for heating two zones, in the process avoiding the cost of a boiler which would have been well over $5k as I recall.

 

[pb4uski]

I was told that in Colorado, a tankless heater is a bad idea. this is because our water is from snowmelt and it comes through the water system VERY cold. This means that a tankless heater cannot heat it hot enough the time needed.

Same thing happens in Vermont and they work very well there. Besides, the OP is in NH.

 

[dianinco]

Recently moved into a 6 year old house with a tankless. Definitely takes awhile for hot water to reach the faucets. It's pretty far away from kitchen and bath. Had a recirculator installed and it helped but not that much. I feel like I waste a lot of water waiting for it to even get warm. My previous home had an 18 year old hot water heater that was replaced a few months before my move. Took a little bit to get hot water to the 2nd floor but not as long as the tankless does in the new house and it's a ranch. The hot water from the tankless is not as hot as the non tankless, but it is hot enough. You can probably replace your hot water heater at least two times, maybe three for what you will spend converting to tankless. Definitely upgrade to a 50 gal though. Just my experience.

 

[zinger1457]

We have used a tankless hot water heater for 16 years. As soon as we got it our electric bill dropped $50 a month.

That sure seems like a lot to be saving considering I probably spend about $10/month to heat my 40 gal. propane water heater.

 

[Deuce]

What enormous heat? I don't think you know what you are talking about. Mine is high efficiency and the exhaust is only about 110-120F..

It goes to reason that if your exhaust through a B vent is 120° the heat being produced is much higher than a regular gas water heater and will not have as long of a serviceable life as a regular gas water heater.
I am a retired builder having built over 230 custom homes during a 47 year career.

 

[JoeWras]

That sure seems like a lot to be saving considering I probably spend about $10/month to heat my 40 gal. propane water heater.

Perhaps a switch from electric to gas was part of the process.

Our gas natural gas charge for two of us is also about $10 per month, using an average of about 8 CCF per month.

I think tankless makes sense for some, tanks make sense for others. I hope we continue to have a choice. I enjoy the simplicity of the traditional tank. No electricity is required, and venting is traditionally simple. I have no problem putting it on a 12 year replacement cycle.

 

[finnski1]

That sure seems like a lot to be saving considering I probably spend about $10/month to heat my 40 gal. propane water heater.

Well he did say electric. Propane is usually more cost effective than electric for heating purposes. I can easily see an electric water heater costing that much or more per month.

However it isn't a true $50/month savings as he would have to offset it by the cost to heat the water in the tankless system for a month to truly compare.

 

[zinger1457]

Well he did say electric. Propane is usually more cost effective than electric for heating purposes. I can easily see an electric water heater costing that much or more per month.

I know propane or natural gas is more cost effective, just didn't think it would be that much more.

 

[finnski1]

I know propane or natural gas is more cost effective, just didn't think it would be that much more.

Wasn't questioning your response . Just commenting on the cost differences.