Topic: Tankless water heaters?

[stodge]

Post content deleted at request of original poster.

[makuribu]

I looked into them after I hooked up natural gas in my house and installed a NG boiler for heating, but I stuck with an electric tank water heater. Lots of negative reports about temperature surges and wait times for the hot water to arrive.

I think maybe for a summer cottage they might be better than having to cycle an electric unit on and off as you come and go, but I wouldn't bother for daily use.

[ArticSteve]

It looks like our water heater has just croaked, so it's time to find a replacement. Does anyone have experience with the tankless water heaters?

don't waste your time thinking about it.

think about a Bradford White passive direct vent 50 gallon water heater if the location of the appliance is applicable.

[rrocket]

We have a Rinnai tankless..works as expected and won't go back to a tank.

[KD]

I considered getting a POP tankless for the kitchen because it takes so long for hot water to flow there, but putting a dedicated outlet there is a big job.  I wouldn't even consider a whole home tankless without NG.

[Ex-airbalancer]

I considered getting a POP tankless for the kitchen because it takes so long for hot water to flow there, but putting a dedicated outlet there is a big job.  I wouldn't even consider a whole home tankless without NG.

You can put a circulating  pump inline with hot water line to fix that

[KD]

I considered getting a POP tankless for the kitchen because it takes so long for hot water to flow there, but putting a dedicated outlet there is a big job.  I wouldn't even consider a whole home tankless without NG.

You can put a circulating  pump inline with hot water line to fix that

Yea, but isn't that a big heat drain?

[HeliDriver]

I considered getting a POP tankless for the kitchen because it takes so long for hot water to flow there, but putting a dedicated outlet there is a big job.  I wouldn't even consider a whole home tankless without NG.

You can put a circulating  pump inline with hot water line to fix that

Yea, but isn't that a big heat drain?

You could wire it up to a light switch so it's only on while you're using the kitchen.

[Cord]

^^ They all have timers so you can set them to operate only at the times you want quick hot water, like when getting ready for work. We have one bathroom that took forever to get hot water at the faucet. A recirculating pump solved the problem perfectly.

https://www.amazon.ca/Watts-Premier-500800-Water-Recirculation/dp/B000E78XHG

[KD]

^ Interesting.  I always assumed the pump had to reside at the end and not at the source.  Looks like a fairly straight forward install.  Thanks gents!

[dkaz]

A proper recirc pump will have a timer (only on when you're up) and aquastat (only on when temperature drops below a certain point). It is extra piping too though.

[ktm525]

I have two 40s plumbed in series. Best of both worlds. Endless hot water and low tech. Cheap standard Bradford Whites.

[Ex-airbalancer]

I have two 40s plumbed in series. Best of both worlds. Endless hot water and low tech. Cheap standard Bradford Whites.

Are they electric ?
We had. 60 US NG tank with 4 kids,  never had a problem

[ktm525]

They are NG. The old ones were Bradford Whites (I got 17 years out of them) and these new ones hooked up with no changes in the gas piping or water connections. It took me about 1 hour to disconnect, move out the old ones, move in the new ones and hook back up. I probably should have put in some more valves and bypass piping but I hope not to touch for at least 12 years.  When both are running I have them set so they fire at the same time time  so both are being worked equally. The first takes the water from cold (5 C?)  to warm while the second takes it from warm to hot. In the summer or when there are less people around I shut the supply side tank off so it becomes a warming holding tank (warmed from the surroundings) and only run the one. That way the source water is somewhat warm rather than freezing cold. Gas bills are minimal.