Tankless Water Heater: Worth the Hype?

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Discussion Overview

The thread explores experiences and opinions regarding tankless water heaters, focusing on their effectiveness, cost savings, and personal anecdotes related to installation and usage.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, inquires about the experiences of others with tankless water heaters and their impact on utility bills.
  • Another participant shares their intention to switch to a tankless model when their traditional heater fails, citing cost-effectiveness as a key factor.
  • One participant mentions their in-laws' positive experience with a tankless water heater, noting significant savings on their bills.
  • Another participant discusses how water usage patterns can affect the cost-effectiveness of tankless heaters, particularly for larger families.
  • One participant expresses a desire for a tankless heater, sharing their recent experience of needing to replace their old water heater.
  • Another participant highlights financial incentives received from various sources when purchasing their tankless heater.
  • One participant shares their mixed feelings about a hot water recirculator, noting it does not perform as expected.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the effectiveness and cost savings of tankless water heaters, with some participants expressing positive experiences while others remain uncertain about their benefits.

Contextual Notes

Participants share personal experiences and considerations related to home building and renovations, which influence their decisions about water heating solutions.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants considering tankless water heaters or those interested in personal experiences related to home renovations and utility savings may find this discussion relevant.

luvs2sellit
Messages
931
I was just wondering if anyone out there has a tankless water heater and if you like it? Do you see a difference in your bill?
 
I don't have one, yet. When my traditional water heater goes belly-up that's what we'll be getting. Much more cost effective because it heats water ONLY when it's needed unlike the big heaters that have to keep that water warm all the time.

I'd do a little research online or check Consumer Reports (go to your library to see back issues) and see what they have to say.
 
I don't personally have one but my MIL and FIL do and they love it! Their bill has had a tremendous drop!! I would recommend it. As soon as hubby and I save up the money, we're switching!
 
I was talking to my dad about those and he said it depends on your water usage. If you have kids and do a lot of dishes and laundry, it probably won't make a big difference. But if it's just you and your husband, it can be cost effective.
 
Don't have one.......but wish you luck in building your house. My DH and I built 3 years ago and it was stressful BUT so exciting. I'm one of those people that gets so overwhelmed with too many choices but I did LOVE shopping for everything too: light fixtures, flooring, paint, etc
 
We don't. We have a relatively new house too. Ah, the joys of building a home! Good luck!
 
I have one...LOVE IT. Saved so much room in the laundry room. I haven't noticed a BIG savings because I need to install a recirc pump on it...the water pipes are extremely long so that causes me to have to run the water longer to get it to where it needs to be.
 
I have been wanting one for the longest time. Our HWH went out over Thanksgiving so it was my golden opportunity to get it. Due to the age of my old HWH and the fact that it had leaked....I got to replace my flooring too (the last room in the house to get rid of that UGLY linoleum)
 
We also got a $500 rebate from the gas company (our old heater was electric), $200 from the IRS and $25 from Rinaii (the brand we bought) which helped a lot.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #10
Thanks everyone. We would get a rebate as well from our local company. I just want to make sure I am not spending $500 to save $50.
We are so ready for this house to be built. When we moved back to my hometown we sold our 2600 sg ft house in NC and just got a rental here in GA until we could find something. Well the rental we got is only 900 sg ft.:eek: . I know. We are crazy. When we moved here in July my husband had to stay in NC until he could get started in his new job here. So he had to have rental there as well. We weren't really sure how long all of this would take so we got small rentals. Let's just say sharing a bathroom with 3 boys (husband included) is killing me. I know though in the long run it will be well worth it and I should be grateful. The majority of our stuff is in storage and at my mom's house. God has blessed us extremely through the whole process. We didn't even have to list our house for sale in NC. We prayed and decided that it was time to move back home. On a Sunday night we decided we would do whatever it took to get back. On Monday a neighbor came over and out of the blue offered to buy my house. We came up with a price and she said ok. Done deal. God is so good!
Ok, I have rambled enough.
 
We just got a hot water recirculator and I don't think it's all that fantastic. It doesn't make the water hot that fast, and then when you get in the shower, it mixes hot with cold (which is also hot) and it's HOT!
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a tankless water heater?

A tankless water heater, also known as an on-demand water heater, heats water directly without the use of a storage tank. When a hot water tap is turned on, cold water travels through a pipe into the unit, where it is heated by either gas or electricity, providing a continuous supply of hot water.

How does a tankless water heater work?

When you turn on a hot water faucet, cold water flows through a pipe into the tankless water heater. A heating element (either gas burner or electric coil) activates and heats the water as it passes through the unit. This process allows for an endless supply of hot water, as opposed to a traditional tank heater that can run out of hot water after a certain amount of use.

What are the benefits of using a tankless water heater?

Tankless water heaters offer several benefits, including energy efficiency, as they only heat water when needed, potentially lowering energy bills. They also take up less space compared to traditional water heaters, provide a continuous supply of hot water, and have a longer lifespan, often lasting up to 20 years with proper maintenance.

Are there any downsides to tankless water heaters?

While tankless water heaters have many advantages, they also have some downsides. The initial cost can be higher than traditional water heaters, and they may require upgrades to your home's electrical or gas systems. Additionally, if multiple outlets are used simultaneously, the unit may struggle to provide enough hot water, leading to temperature fluctuations.

Is a tankless water heater worth the investment?

Whether a tankless water heater is worth the investment depends on your specific needs and circumstances. If you have a high demand for hot water, limited space, or are looking to reduce energy costs, it may be a worthwhile option. However, for smaller households with less hot water demand, a traditional tank heater might be more cost-effective in the long run.

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