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I need to get a new water heater, and can use some input.
There is a tax credit that certain models (high efficiency) units are applicable for, so I'd like to get a unit eligable for that.
Thinking of going with a tankless high efficiency direct vent unit.
Is there anything bad about these units. It seems like hardly anyone has these, and for $800 a unit, I'm surprised there are not more of them out there. THey significantly save space and they cut back on heating costs. Is there something I'm missing? And is there a certain model or brand anyone recommends?
There's a bunch of tanked water heaters that meet the requirements. They do not use any more fuel than tankless. I plan on using this, eventually. IT's a Kenmore Powervent Power Miser unit, 50 gallon, like 800 bucks + 30% tax credit I think.
Hard water and tankless water heaters do not go well together I don't think. They will also, in many cases require a new gas meter to meet up with flow requirements (typical gas meter maxes out at 275,000 BTUs. If you have gas heat (100k here) gas stove (up to 50k), gas dryer (40k), the tankless is going to be at least 150,000 BTUs. The exhaust systems on them are very expensive because they (at least not Rinnai) won't let you use PVC.
I've never really heard anything that great about tankless water heaters.
It isn't the line, it's the meter. If they are installing new service, you should tell them before hand that you're going to have an on demand water heater.
A reputable installer will install all of the fancy valves for cleaning out the machine. If space is the issue then I would go for it and just make sure to maintain it.
I am coming from Eastern Europe where majority of people are using Tankless Combi Boilers, mainly Vaillant, Junkers (Bosch), and many Italian brands. I don't see a reason why on demand water heaters or boilers are not popular in North America.
They are much better than storage tank units, and if the hard water is problem for tankless, it will be for a stand alone as well, also anode rod consumption, rotten egg smell, frequent flushing.... plus they take more space, landfill issues. One advantage more for tankless, almost all components are replaceable.
Keep researching web sites like Bosch, Noritz, Rinnai, AO Smith.
I looked into a tankless water but the problem I ran into is installation cost.
Often the cost to install a tankless is much more than the heater itself. Some installers even insisted that they needed to put a larger gas line feed. I don't know much about all that stuff but I know the savings just are not there after the install cost. I decided to go with a 80 gallon tank water heater. Saved lots of money and still got my Energy rebate.
We just replaced an old 40 gallon heater with a new 50 gallon one. Looked at the tankless models, but we're part of the majority of people down here with all-electric homes and the electric tankless models don't seem to offer the energy savings or heating power that the gas ones do at a reasonable price point, and we didn't want to go through the hassle and expense of adding a gas line just for a water heater.
And I just learned the hard way that you need a permit to replace a water heater....make sure you look into that!
It depends on your state and township. In Michigan they changed water heaters to boilers, legally. Why?? The next step is only letting professional licensed people sell and install them. No Lowe's or HD. No hardware stores. I look for this at the end of this year.
We just replaced our water heater 2 weeks ago. (Kenmore from Sears).
A few things I learned:
1. the rebate is very specfic. Maryland does not rebate any residential water heaters.
2. We asked the salesman at Sears, "would there be any other charges once the installers came to the home?" I brought my camera with photos. He said "Definitely not." But when the installers arrived, they said MD law requires 4" pipes instead of 3" pipes, $250 extra to install. (Water heater, install charges and 5-yr service contract were $1000, so that's a 25% additional charge.
(I later googled the cost of the material and it was $18.) We felt blackmailed. We did it, but I assertively and pugnaciously spoke with Sears customer service reps, saying that we had other old appliances, and I'd NEVER step foot in Sears again; I felt lied to. Finally, they offered 50% refund on the $250, and I thought that was fair, since we did need the wider galvanized pipe.
3. The "energy-star" water heaters sometimes have the pilot light go off often because a really fine screen gets clogged. And the non-energy star also have lining insullation, though it's in the fine print. The energy-star heaters stay off more often.
4. They will try to sell you a back up tank and a shut off system. Research this. I think the water heaters already have shut off systems
Etana, Maryland
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Tankless Water Heater
