Electric Tankless Water Heater

[jinjimbob]

When we replaced a 16 year old water heater this spring, we went with the GE heat pump water heater (Geo-Spring?). Although it includes resistance elements for backup / supplimental heating, I set it for e-heat mode which prevents the heating elements from ever coming on.

I have the same 50 gallon GE water heater and use it in e-heat mode also.

If the ambient temperature around the heater goes below 40 Deg F, the heating elements will be used, it might stay in that mode for hours or days until it warms up. I have never seen it go into that mode in my house, but I don't live somewhere too cold.

It certainly saves us money on our water heat and we converted from propane.

To the original poster, tankless heaters are for convenience (space saving and unlimited water) only, not for saving money. For a house where someone lives alone, that has to be the most inefficient way to heat their water.

 

[Rockin RK]

Thanks for all the comments I'll let my SIL know. Living in South Texas we don't a problem with very low temps. for any length of time and being new construction I can get the electric service upgraded to cover. Keep the comments comin' I'm still listen'

Randy

 

[cfabe]

I've looked into them a few time and decided it's not worth it. Get a well insulated tank electric and install a timer on it. With the cost to run a new feed to the heater, even possibly having to upgrade home electric service, the purchase price, and possibly maintenance costs, there's just no savings to be had.

Another thing to keep in mind, if you have persons in your house who tend to take long showers, with a 40 gal tank, they can use 40 gals or maybe a little more and then it'll get cold. With a tankless they can stand there for as long as they want pulling 60+ amps the whole time.

 

[SpringHollow]

In my opinion, the gas fired tankless systems often make sense. The electric whole house ones have not had a good track record for being problem free.

Ken

 

[brin]

We built our house 6 yrs. ago and put in an electric tankless hot water heater..SETS was the brand name ..they have since gone out of business..The water heater works fine but here is the problem...if you have a Jacuzzi or garden tub with the big faucet the electric tankless water heater cannot maintain the water temperature to fill the tub. Also keep in mind you will need to run 100 amps to just the tankless heater..We still have it and it is hooked up but we also hooked up a regular water heater which we use all the time now with no difference in cost..I just left the tankless hooked up as a backup..Unless they have changed in 6 yrs. I would say avoid it.

 

[ray66v]

Perhaps these things work out better in the warm parts of the country.

Around here on the north coast, even the gas systems are only a good choice if your only concern is running out of hot water.

I know several people that made the switch, and that is the only thing they like about it.

When you consider the extra cost of the unit, the maintenance, and the fact that once the family realizes there is endless hot water, they use more. No one ends up saving anything.

The honest factory reps will tell you that.

 

[brin]

At least with our electric heat pump you do run out of hot water if the faucet you are using is a big one, like those that come on a Jacuzzi or garden tubs..If it is a small faucet or shower head you are fine, otherwise not so !!

I forgot to mention that if you are on well water it will also affect a tankless water heater...with the metals and the cold water so be sure to consider that.

Perhaps these things work out better in the warm parts of the country.

Around here on the north coast, even the gas systems are only a good choice if your only concern is running out of hot water.

I know several people that made the switch, and that is the only thing they like about it.

When you consider the extra cost of the unit, the maintenance, and the fact that once the family realizes there is endless hot water, they use more. No one ends up saving anything.

The honest factory reps will tell you that.

 

[SpringHollow]

Plenty cold here and i have a propane on-demand hot water heater that i love. Endless hot water - you do have to size them properly. One nice feature of this one is that it stages the burner, using only the necessary amount of flame to heat to the desired temperature. I bought a special cartridge that coats the coil/pipe to prevent scale build up plus i have the kit that allows me to flush/wash the coil if i ever need to.

6 months of the year, i get my hot water from an OWB, 4 - 5 months from the propane on-demand, and 2 - 1 months with an indirect hot water tank hooked up to a propane boiler.

Ken

 

[dmccarty]

Forgot to mention earlier. We had the plumber out a month or so back and he mentioned that he refuses to install electric tankless water heaters. If I remember correctly keeping them working was the problem. Most of the plumbers customers are on well water which could be a problem.

So if you are considering one of these heaters take maintenance into consideration along with how much power it takes to heat the water N number of degrees.

Later,
Dan

 

[psj12]

I have one in Oklahoma at our vacation trailer. We have an electric tankless hooked up in the barn where the washing machine is. It is only used to heat water for the washing machine and is marginal at that job. It draws 50 Amp during use and is on full force whenever water is flowing.

Even at 50 Amp with the temp selector set to maximum we have to throttle back the hot water flow in order for our water to reach an acceptable temp. The flow will overcome the heating and you only get luke warm water.

All this said it is still far more convienient then heating wash water on a portable gas stove which is what we use to do. I would consider one for a camp cabin or similar use but wouldn't consider it cabale of whole house use.

I have heard the gas models are better but not trouble free.