Tankless Water Heaters
Synopsis of request for recommendations for tankless hot water heater systems.
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Has anyone had experience with Seisco, or Aqua Star electric tankless water heaters, or any others? Have any been able to keep up with demand during cold winter months?
We need a new hot water heater and are considering an energy efficent tankless system. My first estimate was for over $5,000. It includes an upgrade of our current gas pipes. Does anyone have experience with these systems? Was it worth it? Who did you have do the work?
Thanks for any info
Francesca Cerutti-Harris
From: "Sarah MacLennan"
I did not get the original request for information regarding tankless water heaters. I have one and am very happy with it. It takes up very little space and is very economical. I would only use such a system in the future for both new construction or replacement.
From: "Duncan Fuller" Subject: Re: tankless hot water
Date: Wed, 2 Aug 2006 11:27:29 -0400
Depending on your budget and what you currently have, you might want to consider an indirect hot water tank.
If you have forced hot water heat, you can add a 50-90 gallon indirect hot water tank as a priority zone on your existing heating system. It will give you plenty of hot water and cost about $1,500 vs. the $5,000 you mentioned. It would be less expensive to run than a separate h/w heater and should last longer.
Duncan
Date: Wed, 2 Aug 2006 12:54:11 -0400
From: "Tiger Lisa" Subject: Re: tankless hot water
I love my tankless system, have NEVER run out of water, don't have to wrap it or worry about it leaking!
My plumber should be avoided at all costs, however. He almost killed us with CO from an improperly installed exhaust pipe. (Good point to insert my standard plea to GET A CO DETECTOR TODAY!!!! I would be dead if I had not had one!) He is based in Boston (and bitched mightily about having to come all the way back to Fmgham to fix his mistakes!) so I don't think there is a lot of danger of anyone here using him [but just in case, he is Thomas or Tom DeRosa of ASAP Plumbing].
Best,
Lisa
Date: Wed, 02 Aug 2006 19:16:32 -0400
Subject: Re: tankless hot water
We have an indirect system also and it is great. We are never without hot water. The tank itself is a brand called "Superstor" (made in Massachusetts, I believe). It is made out of 316L stainless steel with a cupro-nickel heat exchanger. Sorry for the techno-talk, but suffice to say it will last 50 years. The insulation allows a temperature loss of less than one half a degree per hour. Best of all, the only moving part is the extra zone on our hot water furnace...or should I say, boiler.
Jerry Harting
From: "Steven Zallen" Subject: Re: tankless hot water
Date: Wed, 2 Aug 2006 21:49:50 -0400
I am not clear as to if you are looking at a new furnace to deliver your heat and hot water, or retaining your current heating system and adding just the tankless hot water. From the price, it sounds like the former.
I have been looking at these units for some time now http://www.boschhotwater.com/ Home depot used to sell them for about $600-$1000 depending on output, plus installation.
This was a local Vermont company, Controlled Energy Corporation, Waitsfield VT, if you wish to Google for reviews etc., and recently acquired by Bosch.
I have a friend with one who loves it. I travel a bit, am single, and concerned about all the "stand by heat loss" from a tank, wrapped or not.
Just think about your "GPM". They range from 1.2 to over 6. I think 1.2 is good for running a shower, but if you want to run a dishwasher, etc at the same time, I figure something around 3 GPM is better.
Steven
From: "Caraline Levy" Subject: tankless hot water
Date: Fri, 4 Aug 2006 00:32:01 -0400
Remember to check with NSTAR to see if you are eligible for a rebate. http://www.nstaronline.com/customer_service/gas_heating/water_heater.asp
Caraline
Date: Sun, 17 Sep 2006 20:59:01 -0400
From: Arthur and Lois Finstein Subject: Tankless water heater suggestions
I am investigating the purchase of a tankless water heater. If I remember correctly, there was some discussion of these posted here within the last couple of months, but I no longer have it.
During the summer, before I had my current water heater problem, an episode of "Ask This Old House" featured the subject and I believe that they installed a Rinnai product. I have also seen info on the web about other brands, in particular a product by a company called SETS. It seems to have a longer warranty.
Can anyone help with recommendations about these or other products, proper pricing, installer, etc.?
Thanks.
Art Finstein
Well, I don't know about who does it locally, but we did rent a house in Italy this summer with one of these systems and it worked GREAT. With five of us, including 3 young women, and two showers going for fairly long periods of time, we never ran out of hot water.