OT: Tankless water heaters

[MittRomney]

Looking into swapping a propane (live in country) water heater to tankless. Did reasearch on elec vs propane. Seems like elec is more efficient (98% vs 85% for propane). This should help offset some of the extra cost of electricity. Also says elec has less ongoing maintenance, cheaper and easier install, smaller.

I talk to folks locally and they say don't use elec. go w propane. Wondering if anybody has any insight?

 

[SteelDawg03]

Walter White likes them.

 

[jdbulldog]

Electric all the way....get rid of the nasty propane.

 

[dirtydawg40]

We install them all the time on propane, just get a little larger tank, should only have to fill a couple times a yr.

 

[MittRomney]

ddog, interested to hear your take on propane. Why do you dislike? Is it the smell or cost? Recently moved, so haven't had much experience with it.

 

[DoctorDawg]

Looking into swapping a propane (live in country) water heater to tankless. Did reasearch on elec vs propane. Seems like elec is more efficient (98% vs 85% for propane). This should help offset some of the extra cost of electricity. Also says elec has less ongoing maintenance, cheaper and easier install, smaller.

I talk to folks locally and they say don't use elec. go w propane. Wondering if anybody has any insight?

I recently did a remodel on my home and installed a propane tankless. The absolute best thing I did. Unlimited hot water and can have two showers running at same time. Propane is cheap and the electrics cannot keep up with the demand. I work for an electric utility and we don't even push electric models because they aren't as efficient. Go propane no open flame and no smell.

 

[starkvegasdawg]

I built my house 4 years ago and did tankless propane. At the time electric would not come close to running an entire house. I love my propane tankless. Have had no problems yet. I bought a Rannai (sp?).

 

[esplanade91]

After Katrina we did a tankless propane. We got a tax credit for it, but that was 2006 so I don't know if that's still going on. You can take longer showers for less money! It's like heaven on earth!

 

[Hump4Hoops]

 

[slickdawg]

Eternal Hybrid - you're welcome. We have it , runs on propane (plus 110VAC to power the controller), and there's no chance I'm going back to a tank.

http://www.eternalwaterheater.com/

 

[UpTheMiddlex3Punt]

I have a natural gas tank water heater. Our gas bill is next to nothing during the summer months (~15-20 bucks and we also have a gas range) and when we lost power for 4 days a couple years ago we could still take warm showers. Tankless requires electricity, so get a generator for emergencies.

 

[slickdawg]

I have a natural gas tank water heater. Our gas bill is next to nothing during the summer months (~15-20 bucks and we also have a gas range) and when we lost power for 4 days a couple years ago we could still take warm showers. Tankless requires electricity, so get a generator for emergencies.

A word of caution from experience here - do NOT use a computer UPS for a tankless hot water heater. When running on battery, a computer UPS produces around 100VAC, which is fine for a PC power supply, but is not for sensitive electronics such as a high dollar tankless water heater. It was cooking the ignition coil.

 

[drail14me]

When I built my home I heavily researched both. Electric required too much power, it's own special breaker and heavier wire to feed it and it still couldn't keep up with a gas system. I chose Rinnai propane and put a 500 gal tank buried in my yard. I run a gas stove, oven, two gas log fireplaces and two Rinnai tankless water heaters in a house with wife and three daughters. I fill the tank about once every 14 months.

My Rinnai's have been installed since 2008. Only maintenance has been to clean out the dirt dobbers ever couple years. This could be prevented with a spraying of Biffin to keep them out. I'll be spraying after my next cleaning.

Go gas. You won't regret it!

 

[BiscuitEater]

We have had ...

I built my house 4 years ago and did tankless propane. At the time electric would not come close to running an entire house. I love my propane tankless. Have had no problems yet. I bought a Rannai (sp?).

a natural gas Rinnai for almost eight years. Never have had a single problem. We can have three showers running at the same time with no problem or worry about running out of hot water. Best part is that we can go away to OBX, Ashville or Omaha for a week and never give it a second thought. It only runs when you cut on a hot water valve. Only maintenance that I do is run a vinegar backflow through it once a year to make sure there is no lime buildup.

 

[Bully78]

Wow! How much $ to fill that 500 gallon tank?

 

[Steakonastick]

I work for a plbg wholesaler. I am on the water and sewer side now but have been to several tankless schools. Do not go electric. If it was my house I would install.

 

[drail14me]

Wow! How much $ to fill that 500 gallon tank?

Price from my local supplier is $1.49 a gal right now so I could fill it for $745. So, over a 14 month period it's about $54 a month.

 

[MadDawg.sixpack]

Been considering going tankless for a while now.... one problem, though, 100% electric. I'm gathering from these posts all-electirc tankless is NOT the way to go? Any comments/suggestions for someone stuck without gas?

 

[Curby]

I'm considering tankless. I already have propane...but I've been told I have to have the 1/2 inch gas pipe ripped out of there and 3/4 pipe installed.

 

[MittRomney]

Slickdawg

Eternal Hybrid - you're welcome. We have it , runs on propane (plus 110VAC to power the controller), and there's no chance I'm going back to a tank.

http://www.eternalwaterheater.com/

What model do you have? I watched a few videos about eternal, and one big advantage was installing without going from 1/2" to 3/4" gas lines, and venting with PVC instead of the normal $200 worth of triple wall stainless in a regular tankless.

Biggest reason I was looking at elec was the ease of install. If I can stick this where my current tank is without having to redo everything, that would be awesome.