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I’m going to need a new HW soon. Has anybody used or using the aqua star by Bosch. Are they worth the money, do they heat enough water for a good winter shower (two shower heads at once). they look good but do they work good? any input would be greatly welcome.
Daniel
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My neighbor installed one in an old house he rehabilitated. He said it would not work properly in the bathroom. Why he did not state. It was reinstalled on the other side of the wall. He claims it is only good for one shower at a time due to its limited output. A friend installed another brand of tankless heater and had similar comments on the amount of hot water produced.
*Check the archives. There's been a number of postings on this topic. Mine too. I'll never ever use anything other than an Aqua star or similar. (How many showers do you plan to take at the same time?)If you have the time, wait about a month or two and get the magazine "This Old House." Zack Gaulkin has just written a detailed article discussing the issue as well as other manufacturers available. The story is not yet in print.
*Daniel,I'm in the same boat as you and was going to ask the same thing, kinda. I was fliping through some old FHB's and saw an ad for a tankless heater.With a family of 5 and gas bills being what they are, I thought it may be a good idea to go tankless but I too am worried about the supply of hot water being sufficent.Pete
*Daniel,I've been looking at this option for a while and was only able to get a little info. As far as flow goes, I know there are several different models in the AquaStar line. Each are rated for different gallons per minute. Secondly, the models being made now feature have an instant on pilot. No more open flame when you don't need it. If you run across some more info, please let me know.Tony
*You need to make sure you get a tankless that will handle all your loads.I bought a Paloma in 1980 and used it in my one bath cabin for two people on a well system (varying water pressure due to pressure tank) for over 20 years; it was fine but took some getting used to.The current models are varied and much more sophisticated, but also more expensive than the older units (Rinnai comes to mind here). On the other hand, they seem to last forever.I'd suggest that potential users consider not only the payback time but also their reduced impact on the world at large. Tankless gas heaters are good ideas, one of many whose time has come.Best - Don
*Daniel,I live in a small house in California and just installed one. It was the large model, but it will still only work for one shower head at a time. I can say that I bought the one that will allow preheated water (from solar panels) so that may allow two heads when I ad the panels. The only negative I can offer is that you can not even run the hot water from a sink when you are taking a shower without feeling the temp drop. The upside is unlimited hot water at a fraction of the cost of a tank. I love my Aquastar and found it easy to install. Go for it!!
*We've used an AquaStar 125 for two years now and a Paloma before that. There are plusses and minuses to the 'system'. Enough hot water is not an issue; as long as you have fuel to feed it, you will always have sufficient hot water. Note however the comments regarding the use of another faucet at the same time as the shower--there is a definite drop in temperature. The tankless has to be well vented (which is likely the reason one respondent here was told it couldn't be installed in his bathroom). Because of the venting issue (very tight cabin, wood stove etc) we placed ours in a well insulated shed attached to the house and keep a small heater set to just above freezing in the winter. Our propane cost for heating water is minimal.
*To use two showers at once you will need a 185. This requires a 6" vent, so you probabably won't just be able to stick it in where the old tank heater was.
*I can't believe that they save fuel.Not believing yet...near the stream,aj (From the "show me proof" not sales hype, State)Gas fueled Tank $150...Done. All kinds of hot water.
*Thanks for the info. Just got off the phone with my sister, she's going to get e-mail on the diferent models. I'll try to link it in. AJ, No tank to heat all the time. 1.80 a gallon for propane , makes cents to me. 2 headed shower, my wife and I like to shower together Daniel
*Put it this way. The old electric water heater would only be good for one shower per hour. The energy guide from 10 years ago "$495". The aquastar "$135" and non-stop hot water. Within two hours of finishing the install we had three hot showers and the hot water never ran out.Install pressure balanced shower valves if you are concerned about "flushing" shocks. If you need to have two showers at a time get the bigger model. Yes it does sound "too good to be true". If you go to europe, you will find this type of heater every where.
*Daniel,We seem to be in the same boat. We would like to install an Aqua Star or Bradford White or similar tankless style unit. Our reasons for wanting the tankless units are for better use of space in our basement, concern for our environment and the energy savings, as well as we don't like the way normal tank water heaters "surprise" you when they decide to die.We are having trouble contacting a contractor that knows anything about them. We live in northeast Ohio and have been told that they won't work here. Most contractors we've contacted call them junk (if they know any thing about them at all), or they say they don't like them even though they've never installed one.My wife lived in a house in northeast Ohio with a Bradford White small commercial unit in the mid '80s and loved it. She never ran out of hot water and doesn't remember any big temperature changes.Any comments would be appreciated. Our current heater is a Rheem which is 20 years old. We don't know how long it has before it dies and leaks all over us.
*Good Evening Peter.We are considering an Aqua Star unit. Can you tell me what part of the country you live in, and how old your unit is? We live in northeast Ohio and everyone thinks we're nuts.
*Paul,S. California - the land where natural gas costs 6 times what it does elsewhere in the country.That's bull that it won't work in your neck of the woods. I moved out here 3 years ago from just north west of Detroit(s) and am quite familar with your requirements. If I still lived there and IF I were to have the usual installation circumstances, I would jump on an Aquastar (or equivilent) in a heartbeat.I say IF because they are not recommended for applications that have circulating systems. My home in Michigan had a Water Furnace ground water heat pump that dumped it's extra heat into the traditional hot water tank. That type of application would be considered a circulating system.I thought I got a great price on my Aquastar when I paid Home Depot $570 (they said it was 30% off list) on a special order. I see them in stock now at Lowe's for $497.The real question lies in the installation. I suggest you avoid some commercial plumbing shop and seek out the service of a independent plumber that is willing to try something new. I paid a guy T & M for my installation. If you are, or know someone who is quite proficient at pipefitting, this is well within such a level of compentence. The installation instructions are quite thorough.Bottomline, this will cost more upfront than a traditional heater. But I'm convinced that it will pay itself back with the reduced gas usage. The smaller the family, the sooner. I say that because with one or two people in a household, there are that many fewer showers and other uses for hot water. A traditional unit will keep that supply hot all the time, with some additional demand as its being used. The Aquastar will only heat as needed - the more need, the more it runs.If you can wait another 4 to 6 weeks, it may be worthwhile to read Zack's review in This Old House magazine. I understand that he will look at the concept from all angles as well as any competitors to Aquastar.
*I have a used a aquastar for 7 years and I love it. I also have run into plumbers who have nothing good to say about them, but have never used them. What's up with that? I would suggest the electronic ignition model for even greater savings. I do have to say that I think taking a shower with two shower heads is an incredible waste of energy and water. I am guessing you don't have low flow shower heads either!
*Bob I do have low flow in my whole house and no land scaping. Plus I'm 6'2" and my wife is 5'1" shower head differance. No I don't waste water.That and septic systems need water to work properly. Thanks for all the input Daniel
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I'm going to need a new HW soon. Has anybody used or using the aqua star by Bosch. Are they worth the money, do they heat enough water for a good winter shower (two shower heads at once). they look good but do they work good? any input would be greatly welcome.
Daniel