tankless waterheater
I'm needing a new water heater. It has to be electric. Anyone have a tankless electric heater? Do you like it? What gpm would I need for a 1 and 1/2 bath home? I was looking at the ones home depot uses and seemed to be comparable in price to a tank but would save me space in pantry.
Artist formerly known as trc313
Artist formerly known as trc313
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Natural gas ones are great - we're on our second one. But electric ones are serious energy hogs, it seems. Sticking with a tank may be your best option, but do consider getting a better grade of one than you can get at a big box store. Call a reputable plumber and let them spec one out for you. Any pro plumber on here can chime in. 3 -
Howdy trc313. My only input on them is, that if you install one, you might consider leaving the previous tank in place as a nice and convenient way to store drinkable water for use during times of emergency. You don't get the pantry space savings you're looking for, though. 0 -
You may not have that much electricity. AFAIK, the tankless electric units pull about 2x the power of a standard electric tank type. Count on installing addition breakers and additional wiring. Would be a problem for us because the breaker panel is full right now. Exact power needs vary with the GPM of the heater. 0 -
chme said:You may not have that much electricity. AFAIK, the tankless electric units pull about 2x the power of a standard electric tank type. Count on installing addition breakers and additional wiring. Would be a problem for us because the breaker panel is full right now. Exact power needs vary with the GPM of the heater.
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At minimum , you'll want at least a 6 GPM unit for a bath and half home, and that will require 4 40 amp double pole breakers . I'd say that on average I install around 50 gas tankless heaters for every 1 electric tankless. I strongly encourage any potential customer to avoid the electric tankless, and most of the time those that ignore my advice wish that they had heeded that advice later on.
Electric tankless heaters are ok in commercial restrooms where there are one or two handwashing sinks, but I don't like them for a whole house application.3 -
also not sure which water source you have, city, well, cistern?? you have to look most of the cheaper ones will only raise water temps about 20 degrees or so, so you will never get that well water hot enough to bathe/shower comfortably....... 0 -
They also need to be flushed every year or so unless you have a water softener. 0 -
Reasearched getting one last year when replacing my tank. (It's just me here.) Looked good until (as mentioned) it will only raise temp 20° or so. Considering my incoming spring/cistern is roughly 50°, I did not feel it was a viable option.
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Now I don’t have one on whole house but.. our Kitchen is a good ways from water heater and wasted alot of water waiting on hot to get there . I bought a single service 2gpm 4kw 110 volt tankless and mounted it under the sink,, instant hot water.. now we are in the ozarks and our water gets cold in the winter so it does not get scalding hot but plenty warm enough to wash dishes or whatever needed at the sink.. If I ever build a new house Instead of having one water heater for the entire house I will put a single service under every sink. They hook up using pex and plug into the wall so even if you need to replace one it takes about 30 minutes and they are not expensive
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Thanks guys, as always you always come through, glad to be able to post again even if I cant get into my old account. I've always had natural gas water heaters till now and they would cost me about $12 a month on a 50 gallon. My new place is all electric, with no natural gas service available, and its running me about $60 a month for the 40 gallon electric one. Sounds as if the tankless isn't going to work for me. My storm shelter/ dry cellar is below the bath and utility room so I think I may just drop the heater below to get the room I would like in the pantry. This heater looks like it was made in 2006, do you think there's been enough improvements in efficiency to justify buying a new one? 0 -
When the new EPA energy code went into effect in 2015 water heaters were required to be more efficient, which is basically more insulation around the tank. Since your heater is 14 years old, it is very near the end of it's life. I'd upgrade to a 50 gallon Rheem or Richmond if you can find one in your area. 3 -
I first encountered tankless heaters in England 40 years ago. There was one serving each bath and the kitchen. Seemed to work well, and ground temp water there is not all that warm. 0 -
Twenty years ago I swtiched from a electric water heater to gas with a power vet . I had to replace that one about a year ago. I decided to stay with a traditioanl 75 gallon gas 0 -
austin20 said:They also need to be flushed every year or so unless you have a water softener.Flushing made not be enough,if you have a buildup you will have to acidize the system with a continuous loop until it's removed.serf
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You might look into the heat pump style water heaters for your application. Initial cost is more but they're two to three times as efficient as resistance heaters.
https://www.rheem.com/products/residential/water-heating/hybrid/
https://www.aosmithatlowes.com/products/water-heaters/electric-water-heaters/hp10-50h45dv/0 -
It should be said that ALL water heaters need flushed unless filtered and softened. But, who does it that often? I can't raise my hand.austin20 said:They also need to be flushed every year or so unless you have a water softener.
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