Tell me about tankless water heaters

[jen0610]

Tankless installation estimate was $5,500. Tank replacement $1,100.

$4,400 difference.

At $20/month in energy savings (posted by another person) it would have taken 220 months, or 18 YEARS, to recoup the extra costs.

The reason for the high cost? Extra venting required, larger gas line, increased cost of equipment.

I stayed with a tank.

According to our heating & a/c guy, the number one reason that most people are unhappy with their tankless water heater, is because the company doing the installation either doesn't let them know that they need to make sure that their current gas line meter is large enough to handle the tankless heater or the customer chooses not to upgrade their meter.

He said, if you aren't going to upgrade your meter, you are just wasting your money. The tankless unit will not work the way it is designed to if your trying to feed it and all your other gas appliances with a meter that doesn't allow the needed gas to come into the lines.

 

[Micca]

I know a guy who installs them Says it's a tankless job

 

[Kimberly]

A lot of tankless water heaters have problems with leaking and cracking, even if properly installed and maintained. I had one when I had a condo in NYC, and it broke once a year for about 4 years, and the company (Bosch) wouldn't stand by their warranty to the product.

 

[qtwns]

I know a guy who installs them Says it's a tankless job

Thanks for all the responses! I am going to have DH read these later. Keep them coming!

 

[arminnie]

This not only requires gas - but a larger line. 3 quarter vs. half inch - I think is what my plumber said.

It turns out I am electric only so there was not an option for one anyway. My plumber (long time family friend, my parents used his dad before him) has one. He likes it but says that his wife doesn't.

 

[joyjoy]

We rented an apartment for 10 days in Buenos Aires and it had one and we LOVED it.