Tankless Hot Water Heater Problems And Reviews

Question: Does anyone have first hand experience with a tankless hot water heater?

(Posted by: Mark J on 2007-01-25 12:09:11)

I want to add this to my new construction home. I want to know if it is as good as all the hype on the EPA websites? will it provide enough hot water for a 2 1/ 2 bath home with a dishwasher, and clothes washer?

Posted by: Larry L on 2007-01-25, 12:42:29

I had a tankless hot water heater when I lived in the Netherlands. All I can say is that it was extremely efficient. And I never ran out of hot water. Look at it this way, if a device is designed to add a certain amount of heat (BTU/ hr) to a stream of water, it is easy to calulate the temperature rise from that given heat input. As a chemical engineer, this would be an easy device to engineer and they should be made to be mandatory everywhere on our planet. It would save so much energy. As for your home size.... calculate the most hot water flow you would use at any time and purchase the heater accordingly. If you have a "normal " water heater, once your tank is depleted of the reservoir of hot water your shower gets colder by the minute. That simply means your heater was too small.

Posted by: Dan M on 2007-01-25, 12:44:20

If you are going with electric than you will only be able to use 2 applications at once and they cost more to use than a 50gal lifetime warranty water heater from LOWES. If you are going with gas it will cost about $1000 from LOWES but it will save you alot of money.

Posted by: stewpid on 2007-01-25, 12:44:54

The only drawback it the initial expense. it makes a big difference in the utility bill.

Posted by: muttbob on 2007-01-25, 13:11:57

They're great.Gas is best. Go look here for some idea of price and size. tanklesswaterheaters.com/ tanwatheat.html

Posted by: lifeisagift on 2007-01-25, 17:12:34

The experience we had was when we rented a small cabin by a lake and it was equipped with one. It did very well. Provided enough hot water easily to wash dishes and do two showers. That is the only experience we have had with one. I would like to get one someday but the cost is prohibitive and it's difficult to find someone around here who sells them or knows how to install them. hope this helps!