Tank vs Tankless water heater
Here is a good analysis of the difference between a tank and tankless water heater.
http://www.pmengineer.com/CDA/ArticleInformation/coverstory/BNPCoverStoryItem/0,2730,141364,00.html
In summary the tankless do use less energy, but for the very high end (electronic ignition) ones the difference in gas usage is very very minor.
And in most they don’t pay after you figure in the unit costs they don’t pay.
Note this was for a family of 4 with relatively high water usage.
For a smaller family the savings would be higher.
Replies
Have you seen the H.H2O at howardharrisbuilders.com ?
I have one. Its not put in yet but the theory sounds promising. When I put it I will let you all know how it works. It was $278 including $60 shipping.
Handyman, painter, wood floor refinisher, property maintenance in Tulsa, OK
You are correct -- tankless heaters are hard to justify strictly on energy savings. But they are useful in applications where there isn't enough room for a tank, or where the building code requires direct vent appliances.