Electric Tankless Water Heater

[DaveOmak]

I would install a tank water heater. Also install a timer so the tank only comes on when demand is highest.
(DPST Intermatic timer is one choice)
During the rest of the day there is enough hot water to wash hands, dishes etc. There is also an overide switch to turn on the tank at odd hours. Works well for us.
On demand electric heaters have too many drawbacks for daily use.
Instant hot water for tea? Good choice.

 

[Rockin RK]

Thanks for all the information, she is moving this weekend and they should start on her house shortly. I'll let y'all know what she decides and how well it works.

 

[beppington]

The biggest mistake I made was only putting one in the house. The kitchen is about 50 feet away and it takes quite a while to get hot water there.

This would be the case tank or tankless.

The best thing is its in an outside wall and takes up zero space.

I like that aspect.

 

[beppington]

There's a significant distance between our water heater and the bathrooms; we'll have to see how long we have to run the water to get hot water to the bathrooms.

It will probably take a loooong time. I hate that wait & wasting water that way, soooo I did this:

... we might just add a 2.5 or 6 gallon water heater close to the bathrooms. The small tank would provide for immediate hot water for washing at the sink. For baths, once the hot water in the small tank is used up, the water from the 60 gallon tank will have reached the bath.

Installed it under the kitchen sink. It worked great for about 5 years, then developed a leak that overflowed out of the pan one night, flooded some of the kitchen, caused our cheap, particle board cabinets to swell & crack. Haven't had the stomache to put a new one back in, yet, but we sure miss that instant hot water. I mean instant too, like 1-2 seconds.

In my next house I plan to lower the concrete foundation & install a drain below the location where I will be installing any of these small tanks, like below the kitchen sink, so a leak won't flood the house. This is the 2nd time in 2 years I've experience a hot water heater drain pan fail. Other one was up in an attic; The pan developed a pin hole leak & water soaked the attic's insulation & drywall.

 

[CurlyDave]

My SIL is building a new house and wants a tankless water heater since the house will be all electric so will the water heater. She will be the only one living thereo no herd of kids to worry about. Does anybody use one or can educate me on the good and bad points of these.

Thanks in advance

Randy

Another thing to think about.

I am on a septic tank, not a sewer. On that basis alone, i opted for a tank-style water heater.

Essentially, too much lightly contaminated grey water, like from an endless shower, is not good for a septic field. A tank water heater runs out of hot water and signals people to get out of the shower.

 

[MicroPilot]

Is your SIL homes electric supplied by a co-op? If so check with them for rebates or incentives. I saved several hundred dollars on a tank with a rebate from my co-op when I built my house.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

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

Living in South Texas, put in a solar water heater and she can have all the free hot water she wants.

 

[kenmac]

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

Yes gas is better. It will heat all the water you want to use. At 199.9 K BTU it will get into your wallet /play $..

No tankless are trouble free. Too many parts to fail

 

[Alan L.]

We stayed at a friend's new house that had a tankless water heater. You had to turn on the faucets almost full blast in order to get hot water to come out. The tankless water heaters will not heat water unless the water flowing through the water heater is at a high enough volume. We had considered getting a tankless water heater until experiencing the flow rate issue. We often use hot water at a low flow rate while washing at the sink, rinsing dishes, etc. If you have to have the faucet wide open, you will use a lot more hot water than otherwise.

For the house we are currently building, we are looking at a 60 gallon natural gas water heater with a 7 day timer for turning off the hot water heater at night. There's a significant distance between our water heater and the bathrooms; we'll have to see how long we have to run the water to get hot water to the bathrooms. If it takes too long, we might just add a 2.5 or 6 gallon water heater close to the bathrooms. The small tank would provide for immediate hot water for washing at the sink. For baths, once the hot water in the small tank is used up, the water from the 60 gallon tank will have reached the bath.

Not true with our Rinnai heater - I can get a trickle if I want, and its hot.

 

[catfishdaddyengineering]

Living in South Texas, put in a solar water heater and she can have all the free hot water she wants.

You beat me to it. That is the ideal location. And knowing our resourceful TBNers, build it yourself for a fraction of the cost. The "manufactered" solar water systems are outrageously priced.