LPG Tankless vs. Electric Water Heater

[_RaT_]

Actually its only $63 a year, not month. so in 20 years that would be $1500 or so. Present value much less.

How much would a 250 gallon tank cost?

I seem to recall my neighbors getting one with a regulator for about $500. Of course, that was back when steel was a steal. Like you, I believe we paid a similar amount for tank rental for the year.

 

[Dusty]

For obvious reasons. Near the crest of the Sierras (Silver Lake) we heard a huge boom. Up there the highway department uses a howitzer to clear cornices threatening the highway, so we expected to see a flagman around the next curve. Instead, we saw a couch next to the road. Later, we learned a vacant ski cabin had filled with propane from a bad stove and was blown to splinters. That couch had flown a considerable distance.

I assume this is why modern code requires that water heaters be installed in a closet that is sealed from the house and has a louvered door facing outdoors.

Propane gas heaters are allowed to be installed inside buildings in cold climates, and gas explosions do happen. Gas tanks are not allowed in a residence under any circumstances. Explosions happen with both LPG and NG. When gas leaks, explosions are what is a result. I have a propane heater in my garage, but I also have a propane leak detector located under it. Propane is heavier than air. Natural Gas is lighter than air. You need to have the proper gas detector located properly for it to be effective.
The other night, my wife woke me to inform me that the smoke detector was beeping. I got up and checked it. Not a sound out of it. It turned out to be the bearing in the ceiling fan. I figure if she could hear that tiny noise, she will hear the gas detector. Her hearing is perfect until I say something, then it falls on deaf ears.
Dusty

 

[California]

Don't assume the code for your area applies elsewhere. That is not how it is done here in WI. Around here gas water heaters are installed in heated spaces, as are all other water appliances. Something about -20F temps, louvers and water that doesn't mix.

Understood. When I drafted that, I should have clarified that what I was referring to was the following post, which appeared a couple of pages back:

I live in Wisconsin. No one has their water outside. When I lived in Southern California (in the 60s), all of them were located in ventilated "closets" on the outside of the building.
Bob

Nothing here (at sea level) is designed to withstand much freezing. Once or twice a generation we see hard freezes that are very destructive and no one is prepared.

Winter 1972 I was dispatched out of the Carpenter's Hall to work for a company that did insurance repairs in the Sacramento Valley. The first job was a vacant house that had water lines across the attic, and they had frozen and burst. Water ran for days causing major damage everywhere - the ceilings had collapsed etc. This for-sale house was trashed.

The next project was to clean up a commercial greenhouse where a lot of of the roof structure had collapsed due to ice, leaving shattered glass and ice chunks all over the crop inside. Both those buildings had been designed assuming no hard freeze in their lifetimes.

That was a nasty winter. After working a couple more jobs like that I decided to go back to college. I don't understand how you guys get anything done in your colder climate.

 

[BobRip]

Yes, they do make high efficiency electric hot water heaters. They just have more insulation. Tray "Marathon" hot water heaters. I bought one last summer. The tank has a lifetime warranty.

 

[Dusty]

You can also wrap an electric water heater with the water heater blankets that they sell in the box stores for additional insulation factor.
Dusty

 

[kenmac]

Tray "Marathon" hot water heaters. I bought one last summer. The tank has a lifetime warranty.

To have a lifetime tank warranty, They must have installed a huge anode in the tank

 

[midlf]

That was a nasty winter. After working a couple more jobs like that I decided to go back to college. I don't understand how you guys get anything done in your colder climate.

Probably the same way we don't understand how anyone can live where an earthquake or hurricane can take you out. While I am not a big fan of winter it is always nice to know a cold spell is coming to take out all the bugs. No palmetto bugs, fire ants or killer bees here. (Also no poisonous snakes, but that has nothing to do with the cold weather.)

 

[CurlyDave]

To have a lifetime tank warranty, They must have installed a huge anode in the tank

Ah, you have hit upon one of the "secrets of life" .

Hot water tanks have sacrificial anodes, and the life of the tank is really dependent on the life of the anode.

The corollary to this is that one can greatly extend the life of his hot water tank by periodically replacing the anode.

I have a tank which is 25+ years old (7 year warranty), and it is still going strong. I replace the anode every 4 years or so. Takes 5 minutes and the anode costs ~$40.

The tank is in a location where replacing it would be very difficult, so I chose to keep it going...

 

[Dargo]

They must have installed a huge anode in the tank

After taking some Immodium once, about two days later I did that too.

 

[kenmac]

Ah, you have hit upon one of the "secrets of life" .


Dave, I've been in the business for quite some time.The size of (or number of) anodes installed in the tank, determines tank warranty 2yr 5yr 10yr etc


Dargo, please be careful ,you may have to call a plumber if that continues