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Hot water tanks vs. the new gadget that heats water quickly
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#1
Sekretgardengal
Posted 14 March 2007 - 10:31 AM
#2
PDXnative
Posted 14 March 2007 - 10:38 AM
Sekretgardengal said:
They are popular in Europe, but they can either save you money , or not save you money. It depends on how much water you are using and the overall cost of the units. They are not very cheap. I would talk to another pro in your area about it.
#3
Curious George
Posted 14 March 2007 - 11:10 AM
But I didn’t want hot water lag, running the water till I got warm water .
Find someone who has one an try it.
#6
MyAzi
Posted 14 March 2007 - 11:55 AM
Might be worth it...
#7
the dufferz
Posted 14 March 2007 - 12:26 PM
The larger models will provide 7-8 gal. per minute of hot water. With a average showerhead using 3-5 gals per minute, this means that you have a two shower max (at the same time), or you can do the dishes and a shower with little to no problem. Clothes washing and shower would only be interesting if you used straight hot for the clothes washer.
The problems with the units are:
1. Placement. the tankless should go on an outside wall of the house. Many models are designed to actually be on the outside of the house. This typically means re-piping your water pipes.
2. Fuel quantity. If it is a natural gas tankless, there is a limit as to how much gas your meter can handle. This should be pretty standard throughout the US, so a typical meter can handle 300,000 Btu's of gas. The larger residential tankless will use around 200,000 Btu's. With a 60-70,000 Btu furnace, you would be fine, but if you also have gas cooking, fireplace, BBQ, Dryer... whatever, you can easily max out your meter. The result is a lack of gas, thus a lack of hot water at peak use.
For propane, just remember that at 200,000 Btu's, that will suck over 2 gals per hour of propane. Balanced with that, however, is that the good models do not use only 200,000 btu's when on. They adjust the burner based on the Gals. per min. and outgoing temp.
The question of energy savings is a hard one. The tankless is 20% higher efficient (60% for a tank, 80% for a tankless) so it should save you money... but wait. It's also possible to have what I call the "Costco" effect.
You go to Costco, Sam's club or any other bulk savings place. You get a GREAT deal on candy bars, so you buy the Mega Family Pack of 100. Normally you would only buy a pack of 10 at the regular store. For most people, the simple fact that you have 100 bars would make them consume more bars faster. In the end, you go through 100 bars in the same period of time that you would have only purchased 7 packs of 10. In the end, which did you spend more on?
If you have kids who now know that there is "endless" hot water (you see, I was good and only blamed the kids...not that any of us adults would do this), so they have this endless supply, so there is no need to get out before they run out... so in theory they may end up taking 20% longer showers, running up your water bill as well...
#8
the dufferz
Posted 14 March 2007 - 12:33 PM
#9
PDXnative
Posted 14 March 2007 - 12:38 PM
#10
MyAzi
Posted 14 March 2007 - 12:46 PM
#11
the dufferz
Posted 14 March 2007 - 01:41 PM
PDXnative said:
Indeed, that is correct. A typical tankless system installed runs between $2,000-3,000. A regular water heater runs $400-$800.
MyAzi said:
you really want to get him out fast? Go to the water heater and turn off the water valve that is above the tank. Instant cold water! (all it takes is once).
#12
MyAzi
Posted 14 March 2007 - 03:19 PM
the dufferz said:
#13
the dufferz
Posted 14 March 2007 - 03:41 PM
MyAzi said:
hey, it's only mean if he hears you laughing!
#14
Sekretgardengal
Posted 15 March 2007 - 02:34 PM
#15
Sekretgardengal
Posted 29 March 2007 - 07:54 PM
#16
the dufferz
Posted 29 March 2007 - 08:19 PM
Sekretgardengal said:
Those are the cheap ones!
#17
Sekretgardengal
Posted 10 April 2007 - 02:55 PM
the dufferz said:
wow, we will stay with the conventional one!
#18
catfish
Posted 04 September 2007 - 06:22 PM
Sekretgardengal said:
#19
catfish
Posted 04 September 2007 - 06:26 PM
Sekretgardengal said:
Rinnai
Tankless Water Heater Buying Guide
#20
Wyoming53
Posted 16 November 2007 - 10:29 PM
It's been 4 months now and I asked him the other day if he ever replaced the Tankless. He said no, it has done everything they've expected.
He's retired but she still works. So it's not like there's both bathrooms going at the same time. No real demand on the Tankless. But so far, they really like it. He didn't mention how his bill was cause that would be kind of a moot point. If he would have had a tank and then switched, he'd have something to compare it to.
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