Tankless Water Heater

Who is running a tankless water heater? Impressions? Any maintenance costs? Can it be installed by myself?

I am buying a house and have two 100 gallon propane tanks that only are used with the fireplace. So I was looking into a tankless water heater since I heard they are way more efficient. It would only be myself and my girlfriend.

Please include brand and model number.

 

Don't have one ,but have done some research. Get bigger capacity than you think you will use. That way you can run washer or dishwasher and still have hot water for shower.

 

I have 2 tankless water heaters. 1 is an on demand Challenger triangle tube boiler. It heats the water for our radiant heat, kitchen and 1 bathroom. The other is a Rinnai and it's for 1 bathroom and the laundry room. The bathrooms are about 70' apart which is why I opted to add the Rinnai right outside of the master bathroom.
When sizing, it's important to calculate required water temperature increase. Bigger is not better, just more expensive.
I'm using a Rinnai v65 for a bathroom (low flow shower) and clothes washer to be able to run concurrently and raise the water temp 65*.

 

Thanks. I have looked at a few. One that can be mounted outside that looked like it might be a good option.

 

I have one and it’s an on demand unit. I’ll never buy another again.

 

I have two Bosch tankless heaters, run on propane. I installed them 17 years ago when I built my house. Have required no maintenance at all, and have performed flawlessly. I've had to replace a couple switches, and thats all. They have no pilot light, so burn no gas at all unless in use. They do require a larger flue than most water heaters, especially if you live at a high altitude. And be sure to provide plenty of combustion air. I installed two so that neither end of the house would have to have a long run to get hot water at the faucet. Machines that use water a few gallons at a time, such as your washer and dishwasher will prolly never get the hottest water unless they're right beside the water heater. The only thing I've found that I had to get used to was making sure the hot water was used with sufficient volume to keep the burner going. If the hot water flow is too little, the burner shuts down. I'm on a well, with a water softener.

 

FYI my friend that recently retired from plumbing said he'd installed about 35 Rinnai's and never had a call back. I haven't heard glowing reviews about other brands. The v65 was about $500.

 

I have a Navien boiler/water heater combo. Biggest piece of trash. They need to have perfect water. I also hate having to wait 30 seconds sometimes for hot water on demand. Cant wait to build the next house and do that over again.

 

Thanks guys. I will look at the Rinnai. Maybe I'll just keep the tank until it goes up.

 

I hate waiting for hot water too! How far away is the boiler from the source? I've thought about recirc systems (not necessary and wouldn't work here) that are passive. If you've got attic space you can slope a return line from the last source downward back to the heater and don't need any pumps.

 

Man, that's a horrible story. I hate to follow but it kind of segues to my only ¢.02, which is:

In CA, adding/ extending gas lines (even in your garage or house) must be permitted. Likely because this is a nanny state, but to guard against scenarios like Chris described. I'd like to add a tankless heater to my home next time mine needs replacement but would have to extend gas delivery from one side of my garage to another. By the time I added permitting, and contractor installation costs, it was thousand$ more than is worth it to me. I don't know where you live, and you probably already thought of this but otherwise, this is a friendly reminder to see what your local government adds in costs, before purchasing.

 

After everyones input and looking at reviews. I think I'l just keep the tanked water heater right now. Thanks everyone

 

Unbelievable that this can happen in this day-of-age. Someone deserves to be showering Bubba in the big house.
I'm on a well with lots of iron and have to pump CLR or something similar through the heater at least once a year. It requires a couple of hours too.

Extending gas lines, though potentially dangerous, is a snap..... Maybe it's just 'cause I've done a lot of plumbing. But today there are flexible gas lines that are super easy to work with and require minimal tools. Perhaps the most important tool is a spray bottle with soapy water. I don't recommend that everyone run out and start doing their own gas plumbing but it's not rocket science either... obviously, since I can do it.

 

That's such I tragedy, I can't imagine.
I do think the numbnutz that did the install should be sharing a cell with his worst nightmare. They ignorance of the law is not an excuse. Ignorance in this case, to me, isn't either. Usually the instructions supplied with these units are pretty explicit regarding all aspects of installation.
Anyhow. I'm really sorry for your brother, your family and hers.
BTW, I've been in the trades for 35 yrs. and have never heard a more tragic tale. I have 2 licenses and am well versed in every area of residential construction. I'm currently building my house from the ground up including building all doors, windows, cabinets, furniture and some light fixtures. I did the plumbing, elec, concrete, everything. Shhh.. no permits, that would've cost me around 100k when all's said & done.

 

Very sad.

 

I am a construction superintendent.
Most Older Homes...
have gas meters & gas providers lines (from utility easement to house) that will not accommodate a tank-less water heater retrofit. the gas draw is huge.. the small to medium sized ones draw 100,000 BTU's
you most likely need to get gas provider involved to upgrade their supply line & install an upsized meter.

I run into this all the time at work.... this is the case 95% of the time... even some of the newer homes built between 1985 & 2000 share a 5/8" gas line split between the adjoining lot with your neighbor.
The building codes where I build in Seattle require an 1-1/2" ridged (hard pipe) gas line from the upsized meter directly to the tank-less water heater... then can be branched off to other devises. Flex lines are not at all allowed.

yes.. if you 'bootleg one in'... it work if you don't upsize the line & meter as long as no other devises are also drawing a fuel demand at the same time like furnace, range, fireplace ect. but, not to the peak of efficiency.

100% agree with @ColoradoTJ
Absolutely permit it & have it inspected.... that liability follows you long after the sale of your home.. even if you disclose the issue.

 

Hey OP don’t you wish you never asked the question?