Tankless Water Heaters, please tell me your results

[stratguy]

Originally Posted by swils8610

I’ve got one snd love it. What kind of service do you have done to it?


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You need to flush it out with vinegar to remove any scaling.

[dmac001]

We replaced two (2) 40 gallon gas water heaters with a tankless a couple years ago. I installed (with a little help) with no more difficulty than sweat-soldering the copper cold/hot water lines and reusing our 3/4" gas line. A few of considerations.

1) Be sure to size the tankless unit based on your gas supply and the number of simultaneous uses (showers, kitchen,...). The tankless specifications have a sizing table with the gas supply size required. We had existing 3/4" gas line from the meter, tee'd into two 1/2" lines for the two water heaters. I was able to remove the tee and use the 3/4" supply for the new tankless. I even had enough 3/4" pipe to reroute to the tankless.

2) As previously mentioned, the gas supply was much easier to install than I expected. I was really worried about this, so I had a plumber friend help. He had an electric thread-cutter help cut the threads in the 3/4" galvanized gas pipe. You can rent the die from Home Depot; Harbor Freight has a set, or I assume you could have a local plumbing supply or even Home Depot cut the required threads.

3) Gas assembly was simple -- even easier than sweat-soldering copper! : cut/thread to size, apply gas teflon tape (yellow), apply pipe-dope, thread together. You will need two large pipe-wrenches or channel-locks pliers.

4) Check the gas line for leaks using soapy water. if the gas leaks, you will smell gas and see bubbles. May need to tighten the connection.

5) Add a 'tee', a 3" pipe and an end-cap instead of the elbow that turns into the tankless to catch any debris (unlikely) in the gas line. Also need a gas shutoff valve and threaded coupler inline, if you need to remove the tankless. This was required by LA building code.

6) You'll need to consider an inside vs. outside unit. The inside ones require new venting (I think double-wall). I went with an outside unit, thus freeing up a interior closet. I mounted on the side of the house - no problems. This did make a longer run to the back bathroom.

6) California is crazy - they are pushing super-efficient tankless units. These require a drain to the sewer discharge. What they do is super-heat the exhaust gas to remove the water, which drains into the sewer. These units cost a lot more and require the extra connection to your sewer. In my opinion, you don't need to spend the extra $$$ for a little more efficiency, along with the extra installation cost $$$$$$$$$. Don't be tricked by this.

Note, with the two water-tanks we were paying about $30/month (summer). With the tankless, this dropped to $8/month. We are probably talking pennies in extra efficiency.

7) Don't let the installers tell you that only licensed installers can install the unit. I called Takagi (my unit) and their response was as long as installed per local building code, they'd honor the warranty.

8) You can decide whether you need a permit or not. Los Angeles (and I assume San Diego) is super crazy requiring permits for just about everything (change a light-bulb, need a permit).

9) When I called around, the specialized installers wanted several thousand dollars for the job. I couldn't believe the cost they were charging. We bought a large Takagi tankless (supports 3 bathrooms, kitchen and laundry), which I recall was about $800. My installation time was one afternoon (2 or 3 hours) for installing the gas line (would have been less, but I redid a few of the threaded cuts till they were the right length). I also redid all the copper pipe, so I rerouted the old tank hot/cold water to the outside tankless. Estimating my time for copper repipe, about 1/2 to 1 day more. My point is the installers were charging a premium for a relatively simply install. One person one day could easily install the unit, especially if using the existing gas line and same location as old waterheater.

10) We cycle vinegar through our system for a couple of hours every year. I bought an inexpensive transfer pump from harbor Freight. We have very hard water.

11) Unlike a tank water-heater, you may experience a longer time for when the hot water gets to your sink/shower. In our case, the kitchen and front bathroom, the hot water is nearly instant. However, our back bathroom, it takes about 30 seconds for the hot water to get to the shower and over a minute to the sink (this is due to the reduced flow aerator to the sink). Note, we had the 2nd tank water-heater close to the back bathroom.

I'm very happy with the tankless - it is much better technology than keeping 80 gallons of water hot 24x7. Good luck -- I hope this helps!

Don

[swils8610]

How do you cycle the vinegar through the pump? I also installed mine myself.


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[stratguy]

Originally Posted by swils8610

How do you cycle the vinegar through the pump? I also installed mine myself.


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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4FaqGod3VU

[enjoythemusic]

Amazon has a 'kit' with pump and two hoses (usually one red hose and one blue hose). It's VERY EASY to clean the tankless once you learn it. Be sure to clean the little filter thingy too. Sure the kit is a bit 'overpriced', yet it beats chasing down each part to save $20 imho. https://amzn.to/3rPOYQr

Once done cleaning, BE SURE to always always always wash the vinegar off the hoses and pump too.

[swils8610]

Thanks!


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[Blansky]

I looked into tankless when we moved a few months ago and no longer have a Jacuzzi. But nobody is really talking about the cost of the things here.

The convenience sounds great, and the fact that a constantly heated water tank sounds like something we invented in the 1600s and couldn't think of anything better since.

But the multiple thousand dollars for tankless compared to a water tank is substantial.... like heading into Rolex territory.

I'd like to hear what people here actually paid for the system they are touting.

I realize that most people on this site have so much money that they pay nubile young women to bathe them, but for us peasants, what are we talking here???

[austinp]

Originally Posted by Blansky

I looked into tankless when we moved a few months ago and no longer have a Jacuzzi. But nobody is really talking about the cost of the things here.

The convenience sounds great, and the fact that a constantly heated water tank sounds like something we invented in the 1600s and couldn't think of anything better since.

But the multiple thousand dollars for tankless compared to a water tank is substantial.... like heading into Rolex territory.

I'd like to hear what people here actually paid for the system they are touting.

I realize that most people on this site have so much money that they pay nubile young women to bathe them, but for us peasants, what are we talking here???

Cost depends a lot on what the existing power source is. In our area if replacing a gas water heater with a tank less gas water heater 2-4K depending on the water demand.


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[Ferdelious]

Originally Posted by stratguy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4FaqGod3VU

If you have a water softener the scaling shouldn't be too bad. I do mine every 2 years.

[Langnam]

I recently finished building a custom house and was offered as an upgrade, a tankless gas heater.

The builder wanted an extra $1750 for the privilege. These days, it’s mainly 2 in the house. I couldn’t see any payback advantage for that kind of money.

I stuck with a hot water tank and have very small bills.

Happy camper.


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[wantonebad]

If I was building from scratch I would consider it, but insulating your hot-water pipes and the tank, along with a vacation timer will keep a tank-system running efficiently and bring the monthly costs down. plus consider a water filter for you main line. Filtering the water that goes into the tank extends its life. Most tank failures start with excessive sediment buildup that corrodes the lining after constant heating over time. Zero reason to replace an existing system unless its dying and even then, its much cheaper to replace the tank especially if its under warranty. Tanks have extended warranties, even the cheap ones are good for 10-15 years and if you bought a hi-end model it could be as much as 20-30 years!

[stratguy]

They are more expensive (mine was $2500) but they last 4-5 times longer than a conventional water heater. If you are there for the long haul, it makes sense.

[watchtabs]

Originally Posted by Jocke

Of course 11 minutes isn't enough.

[watchtabs]

Originally Posted by stratguy

You need to flush it out with vinegar to remove any scaling.

Or get a culligan whole house water filtration system with water softener for $5k and then post it on TRF. And realize you just got duped.

[swils8610]

Originally Posted by watchtabs

Classic Jocke!!


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[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by watchtabs

[BNA/LION]

Originally Posted by Jocke

Of course 11 minutes isn't enough.

OMG! I didn't want to see that. Poor Anna!

[watchtabs]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

Come on Paul you look ripped in that picture… What have you been doing? Did you start on the intermittent fasting?

[TNT009]

Good topic... Love mine and that reminds me, need to get it cleaned.!

[jmhavy]

I am using Bosch Tronic 3000 ES4 and very happy with it. It is super well insulated, very efficient, compact, silent and powerful. Once heated, it will maintain the water hot enough for my outdoor shower for 24 hours. But there is a downside which is the modest flow rate at 14.5 ounces per minute

[mschafer]

We have one for about 8 years, gas operated, zero issues, shower as long as you want, or multiple people (summer visitors coming back from the beach). I prefer this over a constant heated tank of hot water. So much more efficient. If I would redo this, I would decentralize this and have it closer to the actual faucets/wet rooms. Quicker hot water on tap and if one system fails you go to the next, only issue, more gas lines…

[gnuyork]

Originally Posted by Tony64

You'll never run out of hot water and you'll never come home from vacation to a busted water tank and a flooded house. Ask me how I know...

Ugh, that happened to me in 2019. Luckily it was cement basement.

[Speedbird-1]

"never run out of hot water?"

How do you have a (hot) shower, during a power outage?

[chris242]

Originally Posted by Speedbird-1

"never run out of hot water?"

How do you have a (hot) shower, during a power outage?

The tankless water heater system I have on the boat uses 2 D or maybe C batteries in order to make the spark for the propane to ignite to heat the water. So no electricity is needed.


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[Speedbird-1]

Originally Posted by chris242

The tankless water heater system I have on the boat uses 2 D or maybe C batteries in order to make the spark for the propane to ignite to heat the water. So no electricity is needed.


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And the water pressure?

[Andad]

Originally Posted by Speedbird-1

And the water pressure?

Battery back up?

[chris242]

Originally Posted by Speedbird-1

And the water pressure?

It’s a boat, 12v pump.


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