Propane tankless water heater

[etpm]

Over the holidays I spent a couple days at my sister in law's place. She has a propane fired tankless water heater and I really like it. Since I need to replace my water heater I am gonna go tankless. Her's works great, has done so for over 7 years, temperature control is just like my tanked water heater and two showers can be running at the same time. I have a small amount of minerals in my well water so may need to install a filter. I don't know yet what brand and BTU rating her's is but will find out. Any comments?
Eric

 

[Dan Hunter]

Make sure your inputs/outputs match your unit. I tried to replace tank gas water heater in my now 25 year old home and at the time nothing was compatible.

 

[2manyrocks]

You will need to see if your present vent is sized large enough to handle the tankless.

 

[etpm]

Make sure your inputs/outputs match your unit. I tried to replace tank gas water heater in my now 25 year old home and at the time nothing was compatible.

What do you mean, the water pipes? That's no problem. I have plenty of room to adjust pipe locations.
Eric

 

[Dan Hunter]

The internal size of the pipes in your hose. Hey, it's been a while; maybe it's nothing.

 

[etpm]

You will need to see if your present vent is sized large enough to handle the tankless.

Yeah, I thought about that, but I think it's fine for size. I can enlarge it if need be.
Thanks,
Eric

 

[IXLR8]

I have a tankless water heater, 200,000 BTU's, I hate it. Once the hot water reaches the point of use, it goes on forever, but in general it takes over a minute to get hot water to any faucet. It takes at least 30 seconds before there is warm water coming out of the unit. I put in a recirculating system and that takes care of most of the delays, if you remember to turn it on.

 

[LittleBill21]

gas requirements will probably need to be upsized. make sure you understand the flow rates of these things and your current water temperature, and the GPM you want.

 

[duffer]

I've had tankless heaters for the past 15 yrs. I'll never go back to the old type. endless hot water, consistent temps, all's good.

I'm partial to Rinnai brand. Have had great luck with them. No issues at all. Got the 95k outdoor model. You can run 3 showers, and a dishwasher at the same time. (9 gal/min)

Re: minerals. There are some good YT video's on how to flush/clean your system any time you want. I've done mine a couple of times and its a piece of cake.

Unless you're a very good plumber, I'd suggest you hire the installation done by a pro. There are LOTS of fittings and logistics that need to be considered. If you can, get the outdoor model. Easier install, less expensive (no interior intake/exhaust pipe..$$$). Locate in the middle of the house if possible, or next to the master bath.

One other suggestion: Put an elec outlet under the unit, "inside" the lower cavity. It's handy when flushing the system, as well as having a "heat light" when needed on sub-freezing temps.

 

[Racer4]

I put a Navien combination boiler in about 10 years ago. Does tankless hot water and heats the house.

It’s true about taking a while before getting hot water to the tap, especially in the summer. In winter, the water gets hot fast because the unit is already hot from heating the house.

Some water heaters only models have a small buffering tank inside that is kept hot all the time.