Tankless Water Heater - Electric

[bob332]

anybody use these for a condo/townhouse? if so what are your thoughts? any good? or should i get a energy star regular one?

 

[schizoid]

No clue

 

[Shockwave]

I've heard good things about them, was going to get one but my damned builder wouldnt install it for me. Only thing is, keep in mind you probably cant do the dishes / wrun the washer / take a shower at the same time.

 

[KingNothing]

Originally posted by: Shockwave
I've heard good things about them, was going to get one but my damned builder wouldnt install it for me. Only thing is, keep in mind you probably cant do the dishes / wrun the washer / take a shower at the same time.

So...these things heat the water on the fly? Look at it like you would an internet connection. Does one of these provide enough bandwith for you to have realtime streaming video in the kitchen and bathroom at the same time?

 

[DanTMWTMP]

Originally posted by: KingNothing

Originally posted by: Shockwave
I've heard good things about them, was going to get one but my damned builder wouldnt install it for me. Only thing is, keep in mind you probably cant do the dishes / wrun the washer / take a shower at the same time.

So...these things heat the water on the fly? Look at it like you would an internet connection. Does one of these provide enough bandwith for you to have realtime streaming video in the kitchen and bathroom at the same time?

hehehee...

i never even knew that these existed...

 

[manly]

Originally posted by: Shockwave
I've heard good things about them, was going to get one but my damned builder wouldnt install it for me. Only thing is, keep in mind you probably cant do the dishes / wrun the washer / take a shower at the same time.

That's for the low-end unit, for example the (CEC) Bosch 125B that you can buy at Home Depot. We had one of these installed last September, but I wish I had done more research. The first problem is that Home Depot doesn't tell you squat about the unit, so I had my builder install it. After later consulting with Bosch, I discovered that there are a lot more technical issues than with a tanked water heater, and that they'll refer experienced plumbers for the job. However, these guys are NOT cheap. I'm currently deciding whether to retain one to troubleshoot my installation (low water pressure, water temperature a bit lower than desired).

However, Bosch also markets the 240FX, which is made by someone else (maybe Takagi, which is the other major manufacturer). You can special order this unit at Home Depot for about $1,000. It supports two simultaneous uses. If I had known at the time, I probably would have chosen the 240FX. However, installation is even more expensive because the recommended installation location for the 240FX is house exterior. The estimates I got in Southern California were generally in the range of $1,500 for installation by an experienced plumber. Keep in mind that at least for the CEC/Bosch units, you get a longer warranty coverage if you hire a professional plumber.

All in all though, tankless water heaters are highly recommended AFAIC. You'll recoup your investment in about 7 years or so, and they'll last MUCH longer than the tanked variety. Just be willing to invest the up-front cost.

 

[Zebo]

Originally posted by: manly

Originally posted by: Shockwave
I've heard good things about them, was going to get one but my damned builder wouldnt install it for me. Only thing is, keep in mind you probably cant do the dishes / wrun the washer / take a shower at the same time.

That's for the low-end unit, for example the (CEC) Bosch 125B that you can buy at Home Depot. We had one of these installed last September, but I wish I had done more research. The first problem is that Home Depot doesn't tell you squat about the unit, so I had my builder install it. After later consulting with Bosch, I discovered that there are a lot more technical issues than with a tanked water heater, and that they'll refer experienced plumbers for the job. However, these guys are NOT cheap. I'm currently deciding whether to retain one to troubleshoot my installation (low water pressure, water temperature a bit lower than desired).

However, Bosch also markets the 240FX, which is made by someone else (maybe Takagi, which is the other major manufacturer). You can special order this unit at Home Depot for about $1,000. It supports two simultaneous uses. If I had known at the time, I probably would have chosen the 240FX. However, installation is even more expensive because the recommended installation location for the 240FX is house exterior. The estimates I got in Southern California were generally in the range of $1,500 for installation by an experienced plumber. Keep in mind that at least for the CEC/Bosch units, you get a longer warranty coverage if you hire a professional plumber.

All in all though, tankless water heaters are highly recommended AFAIC. You'll recoup your investment in about 7 years or so, and they'll last MUCH longer than the tanked variety. Just be willing to invest the up-front cost.

The 240FX (gas model) is the one we installed. I got it online for $859, I think, and instsalled it myself, inside.

It really does'nt support two showers at once or one shower and the dishwasher but will support two if a shower or bath is'nt one of them. Probally if you have a trickle shower it will but we have fountain shower heads.

Unlimited hot water is nice and the savings. Sorry you got that unit I'll never use anything else. We take showers back to back to back to back then I'll take a bath (75 galon tub)

EDIT: I should add that we replaced a 100 gallon water heater which costs more than this unit. So for us the savings was immediate sinc a replacement was $1600 at Home Depot.

 

[rgwalt]

So, the advantage of such a unit is that it provides unlimited hot water to a single shower... Do you install such a unit for each shower, along with a smaller tanked heater for the rest of the household duty? It seems it would be good for a house where a lot of people have to get ready in a short period of time.

Ryan

 

[manly]

Originally posted by: Carbonyl

The 240FX (gas model) is the one we installed. I got it online for $859, I think, and instsalled it myself, inside.

It really does'nt support two showers at once or one shower and the dishwasher but will support two if a shower or bath is'nt one of them. Probally if you have a trickle shower it will but we have fountain shower heads.

Unlimited hot water is nice and the savings. Sorry you got that unit I'll never use anything else. We take showers back to back to back to back then I'll take a bath (75 galon tub)

EDIT: I should add that we replaced a 100 gallon water heater which costs more than this unit. So for us the savings was immediate sinc a replacement was $1600 at Home Depot.

If it's installed properly and your home plumbing is up to snuff, then it really should support two simultaneous major uses. The 125B supports one comfortably, and I don't even have a good install. :\ The specs on the 240FX are pretty crazy; it burns a ton of gas and needs plenty of ventilation.

Do you recall where online you bought the thing?

 

[Zebo]

I'll check my reciepts but need to sleep now. cya tomorrow ok .. no it won't cause our shower heads with the water pressure run at ~5.5 gallons a minute.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: Carbonyl
I'll check my reciepts but need to sleep now. cya tomorrow ok .. no it won't cause our shower heads with the water pressure run at ~5.5 gallons a minute.

5.5gal/min?

Damn! :Q

 

[RU482]

Tankless Water heaters are great for single people or stinky people who don't shower

 

[Squisher]

The top of the line unit I've heard recommended on those handyman shows on talk radio(yes, I listen to those) is the Lennox CompleteHeat system. It's suppose to be able to supply water for a car wash. The price probably reflects this.

 

[Tominator]

Originally posted by: bob332
anybody use these for a condo/townhouse? if so what are your thoughts? any good? or should i get a energy star regular one?

I researched this topic sometime ago. Electric tankless only offers a small savings over a conventional unit. Not enough to justify the price.

Look at the warranty and energy rating and determine the best deal from that information. The actual brand is a distant third in importence. I'm replumbing this summer and doing some interior work that entails replacing and moving walls. Sear's Kenmore and their top line model will get a hard look by me. There is always a Sears cose enough for warranty work if needed.

Another thing to consider, whether you DIY or pay someone to install it, is disposal of the old unit. Many places include this in the price.

 

[bob332]

thanks for all the information. after much consideration, i will be going with a regular water heater, albeit an efficient one. the tankless didn't offer enough, since it would electric (an need atleast an 80amp circuit), for the price.

 

[Armitage]

Wow, two water heater threads in as many days.

What kind of heat do you have?
If you have hot water heat ... ie. a boiler, you can possibly add another zone and use an indirect water heater.
It's basically a tank with a heat exchanger in it that the bioler pumps water through. Supposed to last forever, recover faster then gas or electric tank heaters and have the efficiency of the boiler, which is generally higher then a typical hot water heater. Also don't have to have another exhaust penetration. That's what I'm putting in the addition that I'm building.

 

[sharkeeper]

We have a WATTLAB unit that works very well. On a ship it's stupid to store both COLD and HOT freshwater, so it obviously makes more sense to heat it as needed. In a house you need damn near 100 amps at 240 volts to keep up with kids taking showers, dishwashers, etc. Installed correctly, it makes a lot of sense. Installed incorrectly it can be dangerous! If you aren't qualified to do the electrical and plumbing work, please find a contractor that is!

Cheers!