My newest dilemma-Hot Water Tank vs. Intant Hot?

[Hendy]

Well much to my surprise this morning I noticed that the hot water tank is a leakin. It's time is now spent and time to replace (12 years).

I have been thinking about the tankless system. They are about twice the cost as a tank system but I think they are worth it, so I've heard.

Can any of you gents (or ladies) shed a little light on these systems? Besides the room you save, what is the pros and cons of them? Are they easier to install then tanks? Do they still need venting (natural gas)?

Plan on making the change next weekend (too lazy this weekend), so any information would be appreciated.

And yes, we plan on being here a while or I wouldn't think to invest the extra cash in the tankless.

 

[Clint]

Replacing your old water heater with a new one can be a tankless job........


:rofl::rofl:

 

[gibbleguts]

I love my takless system. A few things to look at when putting one in are also look at putting in a RO system as it will help with descaling in the future and they do seem to take a little longer to get the hot water to the tap. Next make sure you do not cheap out on it as some ae only intended to keep up to 1 tap at a time the better ones are good for 4 or more. In a house full of women like you live the abiility to do lacundry, dishes amd have some one in the shower all at the asme time is invalueable. Plus never running out of hot water is great as well.

 

[terrantheman]

From my understanding you do need venting still, not all guys are capable(more cost to install) but the $$$ you can save could be worth it over the next 5yrs you should get it back.

And like Aaron says get the BIG one.

 

[D Quintero]

one con is that they dont always turn on.
running hot lightly is a problem esp with previous gen. models

best fo bigger households though,
if your not ? get another tank

 

[dpricenator]

I have only used the infrared heated small versions. You need electrical supply under the sinks. We were doing a from scratch build, so it was in the blueprints to have an outlet under the sinks. They work great, but were under each sink in the bathroom, and really onnly used for washing hands. I never knew you could do this for an entire house.

 

[gibbleguts]

These have been very common in europe and asia but are some how new to north america

 

[Hendy]

Went up to Home Depot. They said by the time it's all said and done (Installed), it's $2500. FK That.

I'll get the water tank for $600 and install myself. Done.

Thanks for the information though.

 

[Jfire]

Was gonna say talk to kurtdesign ( Craig) he's a cert. green builder.

 

[Jwrussell]

Wow. Didn't know they ran that much. Really wanted to do that here when the time came.

 

[stroke]

I'd say go with tankless; you'll get your money back in the long run. One thing I feel will make a huge difference (IMHO, correct me if I'm wrong) is to place a primary unit in the home, but also place a small unit under each sink. This will eliminate the "lag" from the primary and use less water. However, to the best of my knowledge, only installing the small units under the sink(s) don't suffice for very long, not much longer than the time it takes to get hot water from the main. I'm not expert, so please correct me if I'm wrong, but I recall acquiring that information in my quest to find out more about them myself.

 

[Boppa-Wasch]

Went up to Home Depot. They said by the time it's all said and done (Installed), it's $2500. FK That.

I'll get the water tank for $600 and install myself. Done.

Thanks for the information though.

That's pretty cheap.....when I was thinking about doing this the cost was over 3500 for the one to run everything, washer, dishwasher, two or three showers........and not worry about running out of hot water. I was lucky in that they could use the ss flue they installed for the hot water when I had the high eff. furnace installed. Not cheap, but you aren't heating water when yopu don't need it.

 

[Zedman05]

You do have the option of going with a "high efficiency" hot water tank, which uses PVC plastic pipe for venting just like high efficient furnaces. I personally wouldn't go for the tankless heater unless you have a lot of money as they are very expensive when buying and then you need a tech when the thing goes down too. If you are looking for efficiency then the high efficient hot water tank does help with the gas bills, but you are now adding a ventor motor in which you need to run power to the tank.
Easiest way to go is to replace tank straight across, and walk away.

 

[Cigary43]

I went thru this dilemna myself and for the price I could buy 4 water heaters instead of the tankless. If anything go with a large WH if you have a household that uses lots of hot water. 60 gallon should be enough and place it in an area where it's highly insulated so you aren't using so much energy to keep the water hot. Each year flush the heater as most people don't. Instant HW heaters doesn't mean it's realy 'instant' and to me the cost doesn't justify getting one...when they get down to below $1500 per unit then I'm interested.

 

[Starz26]

Went up to Home Depot. They said by the time it's all said and done (Installed), it's $2500. FK That.

I'll get the water tank for $600 and install myself. Done.

Thanks for the information though.

I was quoted like $4500 from Reni (is that how you spell it) 2 yrs ago when I replaced mine. I opted to not go tankless as it would take to long to recover cost...

 

[tazbigdog]

I'm going to go tankless on the next one. Besides the federal tax saving (energy efficient) and the savings you'll realize from gas/electric and water, it'll pay off in the long run. PLUS, you'll have hot water all the time!:guitar::computer: