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Anyone have an experience with tankless water heaters?

b_line said:
If you install it yourself, and don't have experience running gas lines, have a licensed plumber do that part. If the unit calls for a dedicated circuit, have bigb install one.
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It's gonna be close to where my existing water heater was so I'm planning to use flexible gas line connected to the same place the flexible gas line my current water heater is hooked up. That Tees off from the line feeding my furnace. That should work, right?
 
Gameface said:
It's gonna be close to where my existing water heater was so I'm planning to use flexible gas line connected to the same place the flexible gas line my current water heater is hooked up. That Tees off from the line feeding my furnace. That should work, right?
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Yeah that should work, as long as the current line is sufficient size for the spec of the heater.

Also, vents are super important with these. Don't let the vent duct touch anything wood or be close to it. Don't wanna burn down the casa.
 
b_line said:
Yeah that should work, as long as the current line is sufficient size for the spec of the heater.

Also, vents are super important with these. Don't let the vent duct touch anything wood or be close to it. Don't wanna burn down the casa.
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Thanks. I'll be careful.
 
b_line said:
Another tip, pex water lines are awesome. Way easier than copper or galvanized. If your house has copper or galvanized, you can do any new stuff in pex super easy.
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A guy at work was telling me about pex. Sounds awesome.
 
So I was wrong about the rebate. I know I saw $500 somewhere, but I checked the Questar site and called customer service. It's a $350 rebate for units with an energy rating of 0.90 or more.

I bought a unit for $830 that can deliver 6.6gpm max but only 4.3gpm if you require a 70F rise in water temp vs incoming water temp. I checked my incoming water temp (probably about as cold as it gets at the moment) and it was 45F, so 70F rise would get me to 115F. Only three people in my household so that should be adequate for us.

I got a condensing unit. They are more efficient and the gpm didn't drop as much with cold water. The non-condensing unit that also delivered a max of 6.6gpm fell to 3.3gpm with a 70F rise, which would still probably be enough for a shower, but it's right on the line.

Anyway, I'll update with my experience installing and using the new water heater.

here's a link to the unit I bought https://www.tanklessonline.com/taka...ter-natural-gas-condensing-ultra-low-nox.html
 
Someone once told me tankless heaters are doomed to fail with hard water due to leaving deposits in the holes inside.

Do not confuse this with me knowing my *** from a hole in the ground.
 
ElRoach0 said:
Someone once told me tankless heaters are doomed to fail with hard water due to leaving deposits in the holes inside.

Do not confuse this with me knowing my *** from a hole in the ground.
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I read somewhere about having to circulate some vinegar in them periodically.
 
Gameface said:
I read somewhere about having to circulate some vinegar in them periodically.
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Can you do this with regular tanks? I was just having a soft water discussion the other day and brought this up as a great alternative(I hate soft water).

We soak our shower heads in vinegar 2x per year. Works well.
 
My general advice is to stay away from people who put "after photos" before "before photos".
 
franklin said:
Can you do this with regular tanks? I was just having a soft water discussion the other day and brought this up as a great alternative(I hate soft water).

We soak our shower heads in vinegar 2x per year. Works well.
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I think it will. Acid dissolves the calcium deposits. My electric elements on my brew system get a nice coat of calcium after every use, even though I use a charcoal filter on the water I use. I just mix a little vinegar with water and wipe them clean and they're good as new.

But they do sell a special filter to protect the water heater, suppose it would work with a tank as well.

I don't have the tankless heater yet. Hopefully it'll be here before next weekend. I have the week after off and want to have this done before I have to go back to work. Really want to get it done in one day as the first step is going to be pulling out the old water heater and I'm pretty miserable if I can't take a shower every day.
 
Another great use of vinegar is the removal of those dark calcification streaks that form in toilet bowls in lines along the holes from where the water flows. Cleaning products are pretty powerless against them, but vinegar will instantly remove them.
 
This bad boy is going in tomorrow.

51axqvgVY0L._SX355_.jpg


I think I'm ready.

I will report back with my experiences. I have a large tub in the master bath that I can't fill even 1/3 full with me sitting in it. I hope to fill it with hot water all the way for the first time.
 
Gameface said:
This bad boy is going in tomorrow.

51axqvgVY0L._SX355_.jpg


I think I'm ready.

I will report back with my experiences. I have a large tub in the master bath that I can't fill even 1/3 full with me sitting in it. I hope to fill it with hot water all the way for the first time.
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Well look a you, Mr. Fancy pants tankless water heater. I hope you choke on a veggie burger.
 
Jazz Spazz said:
Congrats. I hope it works well for you.
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Me too. A little scary since we have very cold ground water and I don't know anyone who uses one for their house.

Like I said, I'll be sure to let everyone know either way.
 
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