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I am considering replacing my gas fired water tank with a tankless water heater. Main reason is my 10 year old hot water heater is in a small attic space. Recently a neighbor's started leaking and did a massive amount of damage.
Has anyone had this done as in replaced existing tank system with a tankless water heater? If so what was your cost to do this?
Aside from paying 4-6X the $$ for the equipment (vs a regular WH) ...
the biggest cost will be providing enough power to run it (elec or gas).
The rest of the job is mostly about demoing the old and changing all the plumbing connection points vs a reg WH.
All in All ... it's a hard sell.
As to the risks of regular tanks letting go... that s a LOCAL issue mostly about water quality.
If the useful life in YOUR county is ten years (vs the 20-30 elsewhere)...
then that becomes the 'Prudent/OCD' change-out date.
Depending on fuel type, assuming gas, it’s about 5-7k for purchase and install (nationwide). Generally saves on fuel, they last longer and you have hot water on demand. If we had NG we’d have one.
Depending on fuel type, assuming gas, it’s about 5-7k for purchase and install (nationwide). Generally saves on fuel, they last longer and you have hot water on demand. If we had NG we’d have one.
We're in SoCal and paid about 4K all-in, but it was replacing an existing tankless unit so no extensive replumbing was needed.
A couple things I will advise...
Consider how far your fixtures are from the heater. If pretty far, you might want to consider a recirc unit so that you don't have to wait for the purge of cold water sitting in the pipes before getting hot. Tankless doesn't solve long pipe runs. (I don't like recirc units but that's a different topic.
Take the opportunity to insulate the HW supply lines.
Descale once per year and it'll run for a LONG time.
Aside from paying 4-6X the $$ for the equipment (vs a regular WH) ...
the biggest cost will be providing enough power to run it (elec or gas).
The rest of the job is mostly about demoing the old and changing all the plumbing connection points vs a reg WH.
All in All ... it's a hard sell.
As to the risks of regular tanks letting go... that s a LOCAL issue mostly about water quality.
If the useful life in YOUR county is ten years (vs the 20-30 elsewhere)...
then that becomes the 'Prudent/OCD' change-out date.
10 years is the norm here. Bad wa wa. I would need a new breaker box for tankless.
I have had one estimate at $6,500.00 from a reputable company. I am waiting for another company tp look at it and make a proposal. At this time I am leaning on having the existing tank replaced.
My hot water heater is in the attic accessible by a scuttle hole in the ceiling which is only 21 inches wide. I am told newer hot water heaters are at least 22 inches wide thus will not fit thru the scuttle. Looks like an external tankless will be the way to go.
I am going with an external tankless. They will tap into the existing water and electricity in the attic run them to the outside of the house to the tankless via "line hide" run. They can tap the gas from the external gas meter as the tankless will be near it. It is a Rinnia with a 12 year heat exchange warranty, 12 year parts warranty, one year labor warranty. I did not want the heater in the attic for the same reason I do not want a tank water heater there, leaks.
Local company in business for over 50 years with a great reputation but also known to be expensive. $7,000.00. Costly but I am comfortable with what is being done and that is what matters.
... with a great reputation but also known to be expensive. $7,000.00.
Costly but I am comfortable with what is being done and that is what matters.
If Momma ain't happy ... ain't nobody happy.
I'd be happy with the $2000 iteration of the project.
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