Replies

1. 
   rebuilder | Jun 07, 2003 11:03pm | #1

   I'm a fan of the "on demand" tankless heaters. I've seen several in action and everybody seems real happy with them. I know Rinnai makes one and I think that Bosch does as well, but might be wrong.

1. 
   Wet_Head | Jun 08, 2003 12:54am | #2

   Gas or electric?  Are you aware that there are lifestyle changes involved unless you go with a high end unit?  Look at the temp rise.  Most of the numbers are deceiving unless you know how to interpret them.  Will you be running a new gasline?  If it is gas be sure to include the new gas line and the venting.

1. 
   FastEddie1 | Jun 08, 2003 01:14am | #3

   The house is all electric, although we may add a propane tank.Do it right, or do it twice.

2. 
   4Lorn2 | Jun 08, 2003 04:28am | #4

   On the topic of in-line and tankless water heaters, I'm not entirely sure what the difference is but this might not be important, I have always worried about any negative effects that hard water might have on these units. Seems to me that the higher energy density and smaller spaces around the heating elements or exchangers of these units, compared to conventional tank type water heaters, might increase susceptibility to lime fouling. I hear some of these units might come with methods of "blowing off" deposits, I know some steam generators come with these, but I have my doubts as to the long term effectiveness of these devices. 

   I like the idea of saving money long term by largely eliminating standby heat loss associated with water storage but worry that I could see any savings go down the drain if the tankless unit failed prematurely due to hard water or other design, implementation, problems. Tank type water heaters, both gas and electric, have a history of reliability if not superior efficiency. Do you think that tankless water heaters can be as accepting of varying water conditions, without a great amount of filtration and treatment, and still remain long lived? Or am I better off going with the old reliable, tank type, models?

1. 
   FastEddie1 | Jun 08, 2003 04:53am | #5

   Good point.  We have hard water here, so I plan on installing one of those magnetic devices in front of the heater.

   ;)

   Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell'em 'Certainly I can!' then get busy and find out how to do it. T. Roosevelt

1. 
   BillHartmann | Jun 08, 2003 07:56am | #9

   "We have hard water here, so I plan on installing one of those magnetic devices in front of the heater."

   The only water that will soften is that of the seller when he uses the profit to buy a real one for himself.

2. 
   FastEddie1 | Jun 08, 2003 04:40pm | #10

   That was a joke Bill.Do it right, or do it twice.

2. 
   Wet_Head | Jun 08, 2003 05:18am | #6

   make sure your electric line to the house is big enough then.  along with your breaker box and other service line components.  to upgrade entire line to transformer is common with these.  have seen where even the transformer had to be changed.   cover yer butt.

1. 
   4Lorn2 | Jun 08, 2003 06:57am | #7

   Good point. I don't know too much about these in-line models plumbing and reliability wise but I got a HO mad at me one time when they wanted me to run a circuit to one. It drew, nameplate, 100A and they only had 150A service. Their heat pump alone drew close to 60A and this being Florida the loads were sure to conflict. An electric stove and drier just reinforced the problem. I recommended that they not use this unit without a service upgrade. The cost and consequences of adding a 100 load had been entirely overlooked.

1. 
   Wet_Head | Jun 08, 2003 07:02am | #8

   thanks for the validation

3. 
   hedgehogtw | Jun 09, 2003 12:18am | #11

   I have helped install several of the Bosch AquaStar ( think thats the name) with a gas fitter pal and had no problems.These were running on propane from large tanks with dual stage regulators and worked great up in the bush of the Kootenays.

   We had a problem with one place but that was caused by lack of water flow from old well system, once that was sorted again no problem.

   The other thing that impressed me, was the lack of call backs, in the 3 years after they were installed, although I believe you need to do minimum annual maintenance.

   So long from Grand Forks, gtw