Tankless water heater?

[minniecarousel]

Anyone have a tankless water heater? Or, have you replaced your regular water heater lately? We know we need to replace our water heater, but it's not an emergency (yet). So we're going to get an estimate on a tankless, gas water heater.

We have 3 bathrooms, with 3 showers & our master bathroom is the furthest from the water heater. It takes forever to get hot water in our shower. We're hoping to improve that with tankless. Not sure if we'll need a booster unit closer to the master bath. Anyone know?

 

[adkkev]

We just put in a tankless hot water heater.

You don't get hot water immediately ... it takes a little longer than it did with the hot water tank, simply because you don't have that reserve supply of hot water waiting to go through the pipes. But once the hot water starts flowing, it won't get cold.

By the sounds of it, you may need some sort of water circulating thing to get the hot water to your master bath. I'd consult with your plumber about that.

Our tankless water heater is eligible for the 30% tax break ... just make sure you get a letter from the manufacturer that establishes its eligibility.

 

[LadyZolt]

We've done it in two different houses now -- we moved out of the first one when we found a house we just love. Anyway, in both cases I didn't think the water took any longer to get hot than it did with the regular water heater because the water has to travel from the water heater to the faucet and there's already some water in the pipes. That said, the OP needs to figure out why the water in the master bath takes so long to get hot. If it's because of the distance it must travel from the water heater, a tankless one won't fix that. Also, with three baths, you need to make sure you get the one with the most capacity -- some of them are designed for fewer people than others. The one we have will let me shower in the master bath while one of the kids is showering in their bath. Very important to us. LOL!

You might have the tankless water heater people come and look at your master bath. Maybe they can install a tankless heater closer to it, and then a second tankless one to handle the other two bathrooms and kitchen, laundry room, etc.

The three things I really love about the tankless water heater are: (1) the hot water doesn't ever run out; (2) the power bill goes way down as you are no longer keeping gallons of water hot all the time when no one is even using it; and (3) you don't have to worry about it breaking and possibly dumping gallons of water onto the floor.

-Dorothy (LadyZolt)

 

[mom2rb]

We need to replace one of ours also. About how much does it cost to get a tankless water heater?

 

[TwingleMum]

Silly question~ what if you live in a cold climate. If the temps are near freezing or you have snow wouldn't it be hard for the system to heat the water????

 

[mreyes01430]

We did and our electric bill has decreased. We are plumbers and in florida you get a "great rebate" from the power company as well. Love it- some of our neighbors are switching the first of the year!

 

[happily single]

I have a tankless hot water heater and dang it if I can figure it out! We do run out of hot water, and often. For example, I'll take a shower (10-15 minutes tops) and bf will take a shower-he will run out of really hot water and have only hot water. Also things like running the dishwasher and then trying to take a shower use most of the water.

The tankless was in the house (brand new) when I purchased the house so I can't compare any savings, but I personally don't care for it. Sorry

 

[jen0610]

We need to replace one of ours also. About how much does it cost to get a tankless water heater?

In the Menards filer this weekend, they have two different types of tankless hearters on sale. One was around 900 and the other was 650-700. They also had two regular water heaters listed and they were 250-350. The more expensive of the tankless said it qualified for the tax rebate for energy savings rating.

 

[Micca]

Turning cold water into hot water...It's a tankless job

 

[CruiserMom]

I've heard several people (contractors, etc), say to make sure you get a gas powered one, not electric.

 

[mjkacmom]

We have had one for years, and it's awesome! We only have 1 shower, and my kids go back to back, and we never run out of hot water, even if the dishwasher is running also. It cost twice the amount of a regular one, but is supposed to last much longer.

 

[adkkev]

Silly question~ what if you live in a cold climate. If the temps are near freezing or you have snow wouldn't it be hard for the system to heat the water????

The "water heater" is inside, in our basement, and the heater turns on whenever you turn on a hot water faucet in the house. Water running through the system starts being heated as it passes through the heater ... water already in the pipes will be cool/cold, just like the water coming from your cold water faucet.

Inside the heater the pipes twist around and are heated by the water heater (ours is a natural gas unit).

It's very easy to control the water temperature ... our unit has a digital display where we can raise or lower the temp if we feel the need.

Total cost of water heater and installation (includes removal of old conventional hot water heater) was $3100. This is the manufacturer: http://www.rinnai.us/tankless-water-heaters/

 

[Muushka]

Turning cold water into hot water...It's a tankless job

Great pun!

 

[3boymthr]

I have a tankless hot water heater and dang it if I can figure it out! We do run out of hot water, and often. For example, I'll take a shower (10-15 minutes tops) and bf will take a shower-he will run out of really hot water and have only hot water. Also things like running the dishwasher and then trying to take a shower use most of the water.

The tankless was in the house (brand new) when I purchased the house so I can't compare any savings, but I personally don't care for it. Sorry

How old is your coil? They do go bad after a while when grit and gunk accumulate. DH (HVAC guy) replaces them all the time.