Another water heater thread!

[biosurfer1]

Having endless hot water isn't the only advantage to having a tankless. Not paying to constantly have hot water in the tank while you are gone is another advantage. Sure you can shut off the gas, but this is very annoying to do every day. Not paying to heat water when no one is there (like during that day at work, etc) helps the payback but it really depends on what your current gas rate is.

By the way, what is "HWH"? I'm guessing it stands for hot water heater, but if the water is already hot, why do you need to heat it? Engineer I first worked for used to gripe about that so all of us junior engineers at the time would make sure to put that on every spec

This thread reminds me I need to service mine. Surprising how few people drain/service their water heaters. It's so simple and really extends the life of the unit.

[biosurfer1]

Originally Posted by Jim Richards

Added to the list.

Where do you see that T24 mandates you to use a tankless?

[look 171]

Originally Posted by biosurfer1

Where do you see that T24 mandates you to use a tankless?

don't get him started on that. I know how he feels.

[look 171]

I did not want to bring that up because I know it was a real pisser.

[Kraftwerk]

I love my Tankless heater. Gained an entire small room, which is good when you only have 1750 sqf.of space..

[look 171]

only? did you read that small house thread?

[Evans, Marv]

We have two tankless water heaters we put in when the house was being built. I did it mostly because I didn't like the idea of having to make room for a tank heater. Also with two of us here, I didn't like the idea of keeping a large tank of water heated all the time. They've worked out great for us, although the comments about waiting for hot water, cost, etc. are valid, but you learn to live with that like anything else. If you want a decent tank heater, you are on the right track. You can't beat the brands you are considering and buying them at a plumbing outlet instead of big box. If the one you have lasted 20 years, I'd look for a similar replacement with hopefully the same quality.

[dad911]

I don't understand the comments about waiting for HW and regulating temp with tankless. First of all, it's easy to relocate, and even if it isn't I switched to tankless in vacation home, HW is just as fast, and has the same control. Actually, can set temp on heater, but I haven't tested to see how accurate that is.

Went tankless to free up a closet, didn't want the risk of a tank of water leaking while vacant(unit below us), and endless showers when 6+ people want to get ready to go out after pool/ocean.

[Jim Richards]

Originally Posted by look 171

don't get him started on that. I know how he feels.

Uh, yeah. That discussion definitely takes me out of my happy place.

[NY65912]

My company has put is hundreds of AO Smith NG HWH's over the years. Very good product. Changing the anode is great but you must be on a PM schedule. I just went to tankless in my own home and we love it. Ah, the luxury of endless HW.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by dad911

I don't understand the comments about waiting for HW and regulating temp with tankless. First of all, it's easy to relocate, and even if it isn't I switched to tankless in vacation home, HW is just as fast, and has the same control. Actually, can set temp on heater, but I haven't tested to see how accurate that is.

Went tankless to free up a closet, didn't want the risk of a tank of water leaking while vacant(unit below us), and endless showers when 6+ people want to get ready to go out after pool/ocean.

Regulation of temp is not the issue but only at a certain temp it becomes a PITA. Hot water requires a certain GPM float rate to turn the ignitor on to produce hot water from the tank. During extreme hot evenings, there are times a cool shower is necessary but not cold water. If that GPM isn't met, then the heater will not go on to produce hot water. cold water is all you will get and you have to turn your faucet to hot and wait if the heater is a long ways away. Stand away from the cold stream coming out of the shower to prevent shrinkage is no fun. Setting temp is a whole different thing. Temp. balancer at the faucet usually isn't a problem.

[azasadny]

We have a 4 year old GE "Smartwater" 50 gallon natural gas water heater, do not by a GE water heater, they are garbage,,,

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by azasadny

We have a 4 year old GE "Smartwater" 50 gallon natural gas water heater, do not by a GE water heater, they are garbage,,,

Thanks. It is always good to get the input of what to avoid.

[mfiazzo]

Bradford white is a good name in water heaters. you can only get them from a plumbing supply house.

[Cajundaddy]

My water heater is approaching 20 yrs and I am weighing my choices now. It is also located at the far end of my garage which is about the furthest point from kitchen and master bath. This means a lot of water down the drain before it gets warm and reduced capacity because so much heat is lost in the journey. I may relocate the new one to a dog house very close to kitchen and bath and add a loop with circulation pump so we will have instant hot water in the morning and evening.

[onewhippedpuppy]

How does going tankless ever make financial sense in an existing home? The whole house units will likely require new vent pipes, potentially new electrical wiring, and plumbing changes. The localized units will require plumbing and electrical changes. Seems like installation costs would be crazy compared to wheeling out the old tank, then wheeling the new one in and hooking it up. Am I missing something here?

[look 171]

Originally Posted by Cajundaddy

My water heater is approaching 20 yrs and I am weighing my choices now. It is also located at the far end of my garage which is about the furthest point from kitchen and master bath. This means a lot of water down the drain before it gets warm and reduced capacity because so much heat is lost in the journey. I may relocate the new one to a dog house very close to kitchen and bath and add a loop with circulation pump so we will have instant hot water in the morning and evening.

timers that control that little pump are cheap. Set it to go off at night and come on in the morning 1/2 hour before you wake up to reduce wear and tear on your pipes. Cheap to install a timer then to repair a copper pipe in the walls or attic. if you want to get fancy, get a them switch to set it off when the desire temp is reached on the return pipe. Timers are 80 bucks and a few turns of a couple of nuts to install with the plug already there for the recirc pump.

[jwgn777]

Originally Posted by mfiazzo

Bradford white is a good name in water heaters. you can only get them from a plumbing supply house.

I have a Bradford white in my house since 1993. Yes I am keeping my eye on it now. I'm sure I might start to see some water on the floor soon. I will replace it with another Bradford white.

[Cajundaddy]

Originally Posted by look 171

timers that control that little pump are cheap. Set it to go off at night and come on in the morning 1/2 hour before you wake up to reduce wear and tear on your pipes. Cheap to install a timer then to repair a copper pipe in the walls or attic. if you want to get fancy, get a them switch to set it off when the desire temp is reached on the return pipe. Timers are 80 bucks and a few turns of a couple of nuts to install with the plug already there for the recirc pump.

Yes, absolutely would put it on a timer. It could be set for 3 hrs in the am and 4 hrs in the pm for maximum convenience. This is a simple solution that saves water while making life a little more convenient and user-friendly.

[Brian 162]

Originally Posted by ossiblue

Funny, I was thinking the same thing--preventative replacement.

A question to those already shopping around. We currently have a gas heater which has a pilot light. Is it still possible to buy a heater with a pilot? I ask because in a power failure we still have hot water and that would not be possible with the electronic ignitions. Plus, I'm a bit old school though I have lots of experience with ignition modules/replacements on our other appliances.

Yes, Rheem sells 40, 50, and 60 gallon tanks with pilot lights. The burner compartment is sealed. To light the pilot is the same as before but instead of using a match there is a piezo ignitor (like on a bbq) attached to the control valve.