Tankless Electric Water Heater

[TarHeels740]

We currently have a tank water heater that is getting old. Looking to replace with something more efficient and that provides more hot water. Anyone have a tankless electric water heater? Any recommendations?

House has not been connected to natural gas and not worth the cost to put in a gas tankless heater. Is an electric tankless water heater anywhere near as good as a gas one?

 

[LesClaypool]

We have an electric one and other than during really bad storms when the power goes out, I’d have to say it’s one of the best modern conveniences ever invented. You can run the washing machine, dish washer, and have 3 people taking showers and the sucker still keeps hot water flowing.

 

[nynole1]

I'm in the process of replacing my boiler and hot water. I've learned a ton about it but still feel like there is more to learn.
I've heard the water can run out if you have tankless and you call for a lot of water and heat at the same time. Sounds like Les says otherwise.

 

[LesClaypool]

I'm in the process of replacing my boiler and hot water. I've learned a ton about it but still feel like there is more to learn.
I've heard the water can run out if you have tankless and you call for a lot of water and heat at the same time. Sounds like Les says otherwise.

oh no...I don’t know ANYTHING about them other than that ours works great (as long as the power doesn’t go out). Maybe we’re just lucky? Maybe we have a good one? I really have no idea.

 

[nynole1]

I have to tell you, I've done a tone of research. It seems like a lot of what I hear/read is based on anecdotal experience. Frustrating as all hell when you will probably be dropping $10k and you are a facts type of guy.

 

[ericram]

Some people love them. Hot water on demand. The biggest issue I had was cost vs how long to make that money back vs how many times I could replace my tank water heater. It just didn't seem worth it.

 

[Mugsy101]

We had a gas one for about 14 years when we lived in Georgia. When we first purchased out tankless unit, it was only $500, but right after that everybody started adding $500 rebates and all of a sudden the prices were at $1000 or more. Ours also had no electric to it so we never lost hot water when power went out.

I think gas is better than electric, we are contemplating getting a tankless one here in clearwater, the gas provider will install the line and meter for free if we add one gas appliance. I don't like the cost they charge for the install of the unit, it's pretty high. After the gas line is installed, the only thing you need is a 4" inside a 6" duct to vent out and bring in fresh air.

You have to make sure you purchase the proper unit for your house and the size water lines you have and what you realistically might be running at the same time.

 

[nynole1]

Right now I'm leaning towards an indirect hot water tank that will heat off of a zone of my new boiler. Seems to be very efficient and it's about $1k.

 

[RangerNole]

Gas tankless is always gong to be better; heating anything with gas is always better. The gas ones I have seen are typically in high end homes over 2800 square feet and I have never heard a complaint. Homes over 3500 or so usually have 2, based on the lay out of the home. I did a ton of research on the electric ones since I only have propane they look to be a solid deal and the cost isn't prohibitive IMO. I have two 80 gallon water heaters and going to a tank less or on demand is a no brainier for me. The only time I have seen the electric ones are in apartments and no complaints there; of course they are roughly 1000 square feet. I have roughly 3000 square feet and think 1 should be enough for me. Although by the time I actually get one it may just be my and the wife. Installation seems reasonable but I have not talked to an actual plumber about, only seen what various vendors say on their websites. I think another benefit is possible leaks from a traditional water heater. In HHI water heaters are almost always in the attic. Mine are in my garage but I closed in most of my garage for either a teen room or climate controlled storage, so it is a concern for me as well.

 

[DFSNOLE]

I have nothing to add to this thread other than to thank the OP for not referring to it as a HOT water heater.

 

[wbnolefan2]

We have a Rinnai propane. No issues for 11+ years. I like being able to bump up the temp whenever you need to, for instance washing towels etc. You will need to consider slower times to hot water, especially in the shower furthest away.

 

[RangerNole]

We have a Rinnai propane. No issues for 11+ years. I like being able to bump up the temp whenever you need to, for instance washing towels etc. You will need to consider slower times to hot water, especially in the shower furthest away.

What type of savings did you see? How big is your house? How big is your tank and how often are you filling it? What else are you running off your propane tank. Sorry forh he barrage of questions. We have a 250 or 500 gallon tank, a fireplace; propane lines to our dryer and gas grill. Thing is we have never hooked them up. Bought a foreclosure and it just wasn't a priority; then we got used to living the way we do. I would appreciate any info you could provide. Thanks

 

[wbnolefan2]

We installed during new construction, so no clue on the savings. We run a propane cooktop and the water heater only, hardly ever use the gas fireplace. Refill our 250gal tank every 4-5 months. I'm sure the water heater is far and away my biggest culprit as I have teenagers (ie endless hot water = endless showers)

 

[F4Gary]

Gas tankless is always gong to be better; heating anything with gas is always better. The gas ones I have seen are typically in high end homes over 2800 square feet and I have never heard a complaint. Homes over 3500 or so usually have 2, based on the lay out of the home. I did a ton of research on the electric ones since I only have propane they look to be a solid deal and the cost isn't prohibitive IMO. I have two 80 gallon water heaters and going to a tank less or on demand is a no brainier for me. The only time I have seen the electric ones are in apartments and no complaints there; of course they are roughly 1000 square feet. I have roughly 3000 square feet and think 1 should be enough for me. Although by the time I actually get one it may just be my and the wife. Installation seems reasonable but I have not talked to an actual plumber about, only seen what various vendors say on their websites. I think another benefit is possible leaks from a traditional water heater. In HHI water heaters are almost always in the attic. Mine are in my garage but I closed in most of my garage for either a teen room or climate controlled storage, so it is a concern for me as well.

2 80 gallon water heaters? Holy crap, that's a lot of hot water. Seems like that double what is usually necessary.

 

[Bud Fox]

We currently have a tank water heater that is getting old. Looking to replace with something more efficient and that provides more hot water. Anyone have a tankless electric water heater? Any recommendations?

House has not been connected to natural gas and not worth the cost to put in a gas tankless heater. Is an electric tankless water heater anywhere near as good as a gas one?

We had a Rennai electric tankless water heater, and it was fantastic. The only issue was we needed to add another electric panel, but the whole thing was less than $2,200 all in. It was well worth the cash, and it freed up a ton of room in the garage too. Highly support them.

 

[nynole1]

https://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/which-water-heater-right-you

 

[semifan1]

ours must be broke cause the water never seems to get hot.

 

[RangerNole]

2 80 gallon water heaters? Holy crap, that's a lot of hot water. Seems like that double what is usually necessary.

Yea and I would turn one off if the were plumbed together; unfortunately they provide hot water to separate places in my home. I am not sure why they did things they way they did. The home was a foreclosure, so who knows. The guy who had it built was from NY and built his home like you would if you lived up north. The strangest thing is I could see 2 tanks that size if you had 4 or 5 kids; but only 3 people lived in the house when they owned it.

 

[RangerNole]

We had a Rennai electric tankless water heater, and it was fantastic. The only issue was we needed to add another electric panel, but the whole thing was less than $2,200 all in. It was well worth the cash, and it freed up a ton of room in the garage too. Highly support them.

Bud did the $2200 include the extra panel? Curious as to why another panel? Thanks

 

[Bud Fox]

Bud did the $2200 include the extra panel? Curious as to why another panel? Thanks

Yes it did. Our panel was full (I had a bunch of stuff installed prior) and the Rennai we bought needed 50 Amp. There are different models for different sized households and anticipated water demand. We got the largest, I believe it was for 5 bathrooms, larger family, etc.. Honestly, the thing was incredible. Never ran out of hot water, EVER.