Electric Tankless Water Heaters

nathan104 · #21 04/01/08, 10:26 PM

As far as the pre-heating of the water. Im taking the old 50 gallon water heater and tearing it apart. Taking off all metal on the outside and inside insulation down to the tank. So Im going to hook the tank up before the tankless heater. Let the water sit in the tank and since itll be exposed to the inside temp which is usually 65-75 degrees, it should help heat it up a little. Im hoping for at least a 10 degree bump by adding the tank inline. We'll see how it goes.

sulix · #22 04/02/08, 01:41 AM

I know u asked about Electric heaters....I have had a Bosch. Propane heater for 4 yrs to replace my 40 gal.Electric....it has saved me an average of $30 a month.......Go for it.... u will not go wrong. Any On demand heater will be well worth it.....original cost will be paid back with in a few years.

watcher · #23 04/02/08, 06:26 AM

The plumber I worked for a while back told me that he would no longer install electric on demand heaters except for the under the sink for instant hot water type. He said none of the ones he had seen worked well enough to keep people happy with them.

cc-rider · #24 04/02/08, 06:32 AM

I just looked into one over the weekend, and after I read the analysis between gas, propane, and electric, it didn't make sense to use the electric. You don't save any money. AND the cost of the unit is double, it takes trickier installation....and I thought someone else told me that it took special venting. All of which adds up to a significantly higher price than a good, well-insulated water tank.

BlueHeronFarm · #25 04/02/08, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cc-rider

I just looked into one over the weekend, and after I read the analysis between gas, propane, and electric, it didn't make sense to use the electric. You don't save any money. AND the cost of the unit is double, it takes trickier installation....and I thought someone else told me that it took special venting. All of which adds up to a significantly higher price than a good, well-insulated water tank.

Bingo.

We looked into it for our dairy. They make NO SENSE as electrical units. Only the propane and gas models offer a cost savings benefit.

Missy M · #26 04/02/08, 10:56 AM

I'm so glad I asked. I read the directions for installation. They were on line. It said the installation would require 3 double breakers in the electric panel for hook up, this sounded like alot of electric for it's use. Well I guess its stay with the tank or go propane. Thanks for your input.

Old Vet · #27 04/02/08, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mamajohnson

well now, if your not to far from east texas I may take you up on it!

I live on the Bullalo National River at St Joe Arkaksas If you want directions just do a private messiges.

mamajohnson · #28 04/02/08, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Vet

I live on the Bullalo National River at St Joe Arkaksas If you want directions just do a private messiges.

Well, after a quick google check, it seems your quiet a ways off from me!
Rats!!!

Missy M · #29 04/02/08, 08:08 PM

What brands of tankless propane water heaters do you all recommend?

Mallow · #30 04/04/08, 09:25 AM

I ended up getting a Takagi propane tankless water heater...It seems to work ok for heating the radiant floor heating but since I haven't moved in, I dont know how it works day to day. Also be careful the amp ratings on the electric ones. Some go up to 200amp (which is the max most houses are wired for) If you figure in cost of the electric wire and so forth its going to be pricey.

Nevada · #31 04/04/08, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Missy M

What brands of tankless propane water heaters do you all recommend?

I was just about to order a tankless propane water heater but a neighbor gave me a 40 gallon standard propane water heater for free. It only has 6 months of use on it. But being the cheapskate that I am, I'll use the standard water heater until it dies and then order a tankless model.

I suspect that all brands are satisfactory, just don't let yourself get screwed. A lot of the dealers will have you believe that you need to pay $400-500 for tankless. You should be paying in the $200-250 range -- delivered. Check out tankless water heaters at eBay.

http://home.listings.ebay.com/Water-...istingItemList

mamajohnson · #32 04/07/08, 05:17 PM

Well, we got our tankless heater, and when we went to hook it up, it will take 3 dedicated circuits. Our panel would not hold three more circuits, so that meant that we would have to install a subpanel.
After spending much time in Lowe's and Home Depot, pricing wire and breakers and panels, it began to look like our installation would be over $300.
And we would probably not get it installed for another few days.
We ended up just buying a regular water heater for $219. Got it installed in a few hours.
We will be getting a refund on the tankless. It seemed like a good deal, until we found out about all the extra expense/work involved.

We had already ordered it when I first saw this thread. Wish I had not.