Replies

1. 
   wivell | Oct 06, 2005 10:51pm | #1

   Looking for one myself right now in PA.

   I'll be checking out the replies you receive.

1. 
   Sawyer | Oct 06, 2005 11:36pm | #2

   Looked into tankless for a detached shop building in the San Fernando Valley (Los Angeles) but the advantages kind of escaped me. I came to the conclusion that there's a good reason why a very high percentage of water heaters in this area are of the conventional natural gas tank type. In my case, the gas line to the building needed to be much larger for the tankless, and at 130' in length this was a minor consideration. Also, the cost of the tankless unit was MUCH greater. So what is the attraction - no pilot light? YMMV

1. 
   BryanSayer | Oct 07, 2005 12:01am | #3

   The advantage is no standing hot water, and a continuous flow of hot water. The disadvantage is that they are rated for X degree increase in temperature for Y gallons. So if too many applicances are using hot water at once, it will be luke warm.

2. 
   MikeFitz | Oct 07, 2005 03:03am | #5

   How big is the demand in your shop?  Sink for one or for 20?  Showers?  How often will it be used? That will play a large part in determining if a tankless is for you.  If it just for occasional use by you alone, hand washing, etc, then you could probably get away with a small, cheap conventional unit (or even a point of use unit) and an expensive tankless unit might not pay off for a long time.  I have a Rinnai tankless unit (which I love, by the way), but it is for 2 bathrooms and a kitchen in a weekend/ intermittently used house.  For me, I think it will save money over the long haul and I know it saves space.  It is not the right choice for all users, however. 

2. 
   plumbbill | Oct 07, 2005 02:15am | #4

   Well you will see this being debated for many post to come.

   Tankless verses tank water heaters.

   Tankless are more efficient for intermittent use ---- so you're not having a tank sit idle & losing heat.

   If you're a family of 4 per say, taking 4 showers per day dishwasher every other day a bunch of laundry & don't forget washing hands & a lot of other misc hot water needs.

   Then a tank type is best, cause your actually using less BTU's per gallon.

3. 
   WayneL5 | Oct 07, 2005 03:49am | #6

   This is a frequent question.  You'll find lots to read about this in the archives.