After cleaning up the flood from leaking hot water heater, we are now in the market for a new water heater. A friend has suggested that we get a tankless water heater and we did a bit of research on the internet. It looks like a good idea, but we'd love to hear from someone that either has one or knows of why we shouldn't get one.
After seeing the waterfall that was coming out of our hot water heater, I have a bit of advice for everyone - always check to see if you can see any small leaks periodically. Sometimes a small leak comes before a big leak. You don't want a big leak! We were lucky and happened to be home when the flooding started. If we hadn't been home, I hate to think of what would have happened. Within about an hour, our entire house would have had a layer of water in it. Also, always turn off your water when leaving on vacation. The hot water leak is just one of 4 leaks we've now experienced over the years, so it does happen, and you don't want to come back from vacation to a water logged house.
Replies
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Beach Fanatic
I've done a little bit of research and am hoping to replace my water heaters here and at the beach soon. They're pricey, but pay for themselves over time since you're only heating the water you use instead of keeping a tank full of hot water all the time. A big advantage to me is their small size - it seems I've even seen them installed on the exterior walls in some of the newer homes. I don't recall seeing negatives other than the initial cost.
beats on hood
Never heard of them.
In another thread I posted that after several freaky water incidents, we always turn off our water when we leave town for more than 24 hours. In April when I went into the water heater closet to turn off the water before leaving for the beach, I noticed that the floor was wet. Bingo! That's why, as I had complained to my husband, I would run out of hot water too quickly -- the water heater had gone bad. We replaced it, but it wasn't tankless.
The plumber checked the other water heater because our daughter had complained that when she was taking a shower in her bathroom and Mother was showering in the downstairs guest bathroom, she'd run out of hot water. The plumber did something to fix that. But when that water heater goes, we'll definitely look a the tankless option.
Thanks for the info.
In another thread I posted that after several freaky water incidents, we always turn off our water when we leave town for more than 24 hours. In April when I went into the water heater closet to turn off the water before leaving for the beach, I noticed that the floor was wet. Bingo! That's why, as I had complained to my husband, I would run out of hot water too quickly -- the water heater had gone bad. We replaced it, but it wasn't tankless.
The plumber checked the other water heater because our daughter had complained that when she was taking a shower in her bathroom and Mother was showering in the downstairs guest bathroom, she'd run out of hot water. The plumber did something to fix that. But when that water heater goes, we'll definitely look a the tankless option.
Thanks for the info.
Beach Fanatic
We have Rinnai Tankless in our Seagrove home....
www.rinnai.com
You are correct....initial cost is more, however as you say, will pay for itself over time.
Advantage is not running out of hot water & space savings (ours is outside)
We're very pleased.
In fact, we took it a step further, and installed 2....one actually provides our heat in the winter(via hot water running thru pipes). It is called hydroheat. Works well and is very efficient and cost effective.
I would make the same choices again!!
PK
www.rinnai.com
You are correct....initial cost is more, however as you say, will pay for itself over time.
Advantage is not running out of hot water & space savings (ours is outside)
We're very pleased.
In fact, we took it a step further, and installed 2....one actually provides our heat in the winter(via hot water running thru pipes). It is called hydroheat. Works well and is very efficient and cost effective.
I would make the same choices again!!
PK
Beach Fanatic
I;ve used them in Europe. Highly recommend. I plan to get one when my water heater needs to be replaced.
SoWal Expert
We have Rinnai Tankless in our Seagrove home....
PK
Is yours gas or electric? I have no specifics problems to mention, but I've heard from several builders who had problems with the electric tankless water heaters.
Yes, they cost a few hundred dollars more than the tank waterheaters, but if you consider that one 40 gallon tank takes up an area of 6 square feet, at construction costs of $400 per square foot, you just made up the difference in price, theoretically. Also, if you get an external tankless water heater, you are not spending money on the extra energy your a/c fighting against the water heater.
I think for seasonal homes like we have here, a homeowner using a tankless, might save even more money in energy bills than in a primary residence, because in the seasonal home, so much of the year, the water heater isn't wasting energy, constantly heating water which is not being used.
I, too, am interested in hearing the latest feedback on the tankless heaters. When you are responding, please inform us whether you have the gas or electric version.
Beach Fanatic
Ours are gas.
Beach Fanatic
a person in the water heater dept. at home depot and the said it was more suited for homes with gas...but i love the idea and will continue to watch the technology...
beats on hood
We're all electric except for the cooktop and the fireplaces. Never mind.
Edited
Beach Fanatic
Beach Lover
If natural gas is available it's the way to go. Electric tankless heaters require alot of amp draw and your house won't be set up for it. Rannai is probably your best option. You'll have to get up with Okaloosa gas and a plumber that knows how to install it and possibly an electrcian. I think A&G can install. I would avoid the Home Depot/Lowes route altogether.
Beach Lover
We built a new house in Seagrove beach. Had an electric water heater mounted on the outside of the house. Initially we had issues with the amperage, but once it was resolved no issues.
I am not sure of the brand, but highly recommend tankless, and yes, we took advantage of the tax break.
I am not sure of the brand, but highly recommend tankless, and yes, we took advantage of the tax break.
SoWal Insider
my 80 gallon traditional model is a thankless water heater
Beach Fanatic
We :wub: ours in Tennessee. Wish I had one down here as when all my gulls get together someone's gonna get a little chilly at the end. ;-)
Edited
Beach FanaticAuthor
Thanks for all the info! Since our hot water heater was still covered under warranty, GE has given us a new one. If we had gas at this house I'd put in the tankless anyway. When our water heater goes out at the rental, we'll put a tankless in. We have gas there and a hot water heater is on the top floor so I'd hate to have that one leak! A friend has told me that she has a gas tankless and it paid for itself in lower energy bills in three months. She loves it.
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