Tankless Water Heater Reccomendation?
Looking to install tankless demand water heater in new garage/shop. Only immediate demand will be a slop sink which will see limited use. Remote possibility of a washing machine later on, but if that comes to pass, I’d look at a larger capacity heater.
Currently thinking electric, but gas will be available in the building if that’s a better bet. Building will have it’s own 200 amp service.
There’s a lot to choose from. Any reccomendations as to brand and/or where to purchase?
PJ
Everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end.
Replies
If you simply need something for a garage sink, I'd suggest a point-of-use water heater. There are many threads on tankless water heaters, so search the archives. An electric unit can probably cover minimal loading, but gas is almost always the preferable choice for whole-house coverage. As for brands, you'll get all sorts of opinions. Companies like Rannai, Norwitz, Takagi, and Bosch are familiar suppliers in the industry.
Before you purchase ANY large tankless water heater, it's imperative to check your water supply maximum flow rate and minimum pressure -- especially if you have well water. Knowing the maximum flow rate will help you properly size a unit for mulitiple applications. Knowing the minimum pressure will help you avoid intermittent heater shutdowns (most units require a minimum "continuous" pressure at the inlet -- pressure fluctuations that drop below that threshold may shut off the burner/heating elements to protect them from damage). Well pumps, especially those with whole house filters, often have pressure swings that create problems for homeowners who purchase tankless systems.
Although they have considerable history in some other countries, tankless water heaters are still a relatively new concept in the United States. Even the suppliers who sell them don't always know which product is most appropriate for a particular need. Do your homework before making a significant investment in one.
Good luck.
New knowledge is priceless.
Used knowledge is even more valuable.
For a slop sink I'd just install the best-insulated 5 gallon electric tank you can find. Have it on a switch or timer so it can be off when you won't be needing it.
Agreed. The upfront cost of a tankless installation is considerable. I have a gas unit and had to run gas to it, vent it with SS material, and buy the unit in the first place. A client has a Seisco electric tankless, looks OK but not great, cost ~$700 and is connected to (4) 60A breakers.
This comes up all the time. My position is that SPACE is the main reason to have a tankless. I was able to get rid of a 50G tank in our laundry room by going tankless. We do not save money on water heating, maybe a few pennies. The other reason to go tankless would be need for continuous hot water, like maybe if you run a car wash.
Yeah, the circumstances under which you can actually save money with tankless are relatively limited.It might be attractive to use a heater like you see in parts of Europe -- a small point-of-use tank with a fairly large electric heating element, so it can be heated in a few minutes. I've seen these in bathrooms in Norway -- you turn on the heat 15-30 minutes before taking a bath.
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
Some research and here's what I've come to. The higher capacity tankless units are certainly overkill and not cost effective. I can get small tank or tankless in the same ballpark price-wise.
http://www.cpotanklesswaterheaters.com/electric_products/point-of-use_tankless/ae9-5.html
http://www.cpotanklesswaterheaters.com/electric_products/point-of-use_mini-tank/gl6-plus.html
As you've suggested, space would be a concern. Installation close to a push, probably nod goes to small tank here. It appears that the tankless advantage is continuous supply, as opposed to 6 gal. on the other...maybe a moot point considering application.
I'll cogitate more....
Thanks for the input.PJ
Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end.