*
Dear HVAC Pros out there,
I am considering purchasing a five story
office building with 1 kitchen and 2 bathrooms
on each floor. Each floor is seperately metered
and tenants will be paying for their own energy.
The hot water for the sinks(no showers)is generated
by instant hot water heaters under the sinks.
Since there are a total of 15 units in the building,
I’m concerned about any near term replacement costs.
I am not sure yet how old each unit is. Do they last
as long as a typical hot water heater (8-12yrs or so)?
Longer? Also, how much do they cost to replace?
Any insight is much appreciated. Thank you.
Replies
*
Hi Sue,
With that kind of investment, you would be well advised to spend a couple of bucks and have a local contractor do a tech. audit on your water heaters.
The life expectancy of any plumbing fixture is mainly determined by local water conditions. If you have mineral deposit problems etc.
Gabe
*My neighbor has one that was installed in the 1920's. When the tank fails on a tank heater it is dead. A demand heater can be repaired indefinitely.
*Sue,My experience with on demand is extremely limited, and decidedly negative. I got one about fifteen years ago and it didn't last more than a year or so. No parts were available and so it was not repairable. Went back to tank. I think Gabe's got a good idea with the audit.Rich Beckman
*Sue. TheJapanese PALOMA natural gas instantaneous hot water heater in the 1977 Leger House failed after 14 years. The exhaust ductwork fed through the concrete wall was partially underground( we did not know this) before it exited. It ev entually failed and led to the heater's failure. Had the duct been above ground the unit would still be working some 20 years later.GeneL.
*
Dear HVAC Pros out there,
I am considering purchasing a five story
office building with 1 kitchen and 2 bathrooms
on each floor. Each floor is seperately metered
and tenants will be paying for their own energy.
The hot water for the sinks(no showers)is generated
by instant hot water heaters under the sinks.
Since there are a total of 15 units in the building,
I'm concerned about any near term replacement costs.
I am not sure yet how old each unit is. Do they last
as long as a typical hot water heater (8-12yrs or so)?
Longer? Also, how much do they cost to replace?
Any insight is much appreciated. Thank you.