Converting to a tankless water heater from a hot water heater

USCTrojanCPA said:
Has anyone converted their home from a hot water heater to a tankless unit?  Happy with the results?  I'm looking at getting this Rheem EcoSense 8.4 GPM unit for my house (has 2.5 bathrooms)...
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Rheem-Ec...nkless-Gas-Water-Heater-ECOH160DVLN/203404940

Or should I opt for this slightly larger unit below?
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Rheem-Ec...nkless-Gas-Water-Heater-ECOH160DVLN/203404940
Click to expand...

Well, you could go with either one because you posted the same link twice.
 
WTTCHMN said:
USCTrojanCPA said:
Has anyone converted their home from a hot water heater to a tankless unit?  Happy with the results?  I'm looking at getting this Rheem EcoSense 8.4 GPM unit for my house (has 2.5 bathrooms)...
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Rheem-Ec...nkless-Gas-Water-Heater-ECOH160DVLN/203404940

Or should I opt for this slightly larger unit below?
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Rheem-Ec...nkless-Gas-Water-Heater-ECOH160DVLN/203404940
Click to expand...

Well, you could go with either one because you posted the same link twice.
Click to expand...

Opps sorry...here's the right link to the larger unit (only $190 more expensive)...
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Rheem-Ec...nkless-Gas-Water-Heater-ECOH200DVLN/203404946
 
USCTrojanCPA said:
WTTCHMN said:
USCTrojanCPA said:
Has anyone converted their home from a hot water heater to a tankless unit?  Happy with the results?  I'm looking at getting this Rheem EcoSense 8.4 GPM unit for my house (has 2.5 bathrooms)...
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Rheem-Ec...nkless-Gas-Water-Heater-ECOH160DVLN/203404940

Or should I opt for this slightly larger unit below?
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Rheem-Ec...nkless-Gas-Water-Heater-ECOH160DVLN/203404940
Click to expand...

Well, you could go with either one because you posted the same link twice.
Click to expand...

Opps sorry...here's the right link to the larger unit (only $190 more expensive)...
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Rheem-Ec...nkless-Gas-Water-Heater-ECOH200DVLN/203404946
Click to expand...

For your home size, are you sure you only need one?
 
Why would u want a tankless water heater? Isn't that like getting a hybrid GT3? :)

We have a tank and still have not heard/read of any good reason to switch to tankless.
 
irvinehomeowner said:
From what I know, you are not really gaining anything from a tankless.

Why do you want to switch?
Click to expand...

Never run out of hot water. Less chance of it exploding or flooding.
 
jmoney74 said:
Saves space
Click to expand...

With a 3 car garage it doesn't matter and they normally are tucked away in the corner. For us tucked away in an indentation in the wall that is shared by the great room and garage.
 
USCTrojanCPA said:
Has anyone converted their home from a hot water heater to a tankless unit?  Happy with the results?  I'm looking at getting this Rheem EcoSense 8.4 GPM unit for my house (has 2.5 bathrooms)...
Click to expand...

We switched out to a Noritz 9.8 GPM unit about 2 years ago. Our home also has 2.5 bathrooms. It has been absolutely great. It does take up less space and I think it is more efficient also. I am glad to get rid of the tank as I've had to replace them in the past and hate that process (I'm sure I'll hate replacing the tankless too when that day comes).

Make sure you have a water softener in place because if you use hard water with your tankless, scale will build up much more quickly and you'll have to flush it out more often. We didn't have a water softener when we installed the tankless and the installer insisted on putting a Heater Treater in front of the tankless. I'm glad they did though we ended up getting a water softener installed about 6 months later.
 
zovall said:
USCTrojanCPA said:
Has anyone converted their home from a hot water heater to a tankless unit?  Happy with the results?  I'm looking at getting this Rheem EcoSense 8.4 GPM unit for my house (has 2.5 bathrooms)...
Click to expand...

We switched out to a Noritz 9.8 GPM unit about 2 years ago. Our home also has 2.5 bathrooms. It has been absolutely great. It does take up less space and I think it is more efficient also. I am glad to get rid of the tank as I've had to replace them in the past and hate that process (I'm sure I'll hate replacing the tankless too when that day comes).

Make sure you have a water softener in place because if you use hard water with your tankless, scale will build up much more quickly and you'll have to flush it out more often. We didn't have a water softener when we installed the tankless and the installer insisted on putting a Heater Treater in front of the tankless. I'm glad they did though we ended up getting a water softener installed about 6 months later.
Click to expand...

That's a good brand.
 
USC still hasn't answered why.

It's not any faster than a tank in getting hot water to a faucet (unless you have the flush out system).

It probably saves on the gas bill, but gas is so inexpensive, the savings is nominal.

Since USC is currently single (maybe with a GF), I don't think his hot water needs are high so "unlimited" hot water isn't really an issue.

As for space, depending on how it's installed, a converted unit may take up almost the same space. For some reason, a friend of mine that had his converted, had to put the tankless in a different area in his garage so all the plumbing, gas, and electrical had to be move to that location. I forgot why, maybe having to do with some safety regulation.
 
irvinehomeowner said:
USC still hasn't answered why.

It's not any faster than a tank in getting hot water to a faucet (unless you have the flush out system).

It probably saves on the gas bill, but gas is so inexpensive, the savings is nominal.

Since USC is currently single (maybe with a GF), I don't think his hot water needs are high so "unlimited" hot water isn't really an issue.

As for space, depending on how it's installed, a converted unit may take up almost the same space. For some reason, a friend of mine that had his converted, had to put the tankless in a different area in his garage so all the plumbing, gas, and electrical had to be move to that location. I forgot why, maybe having to do with some safety regulation.
Click to expand...

To create more space in the garage.  Also the water heater is pretty old so it might be on it's last legs and I do want to install a water softener/filteration system too. 
 
One reason to not get a tankless heater.....  50 gallons of fresh water storage in the tank if there is an earthquake that disrupts water supply.  Just turn off the inlet to keep contaminated water from seeping in.  With a tankless you will get what? 2-3 gallons?
 
Just got my first tankless water heater at my new place.  Depending on how the piping is in your home, be prepared to run the hot water at your sink for 1-2 minutes before it gets warm.  I have resorted to washing my hands and dishes with cold water now because my tankless heater takes so long to warm up.
 
I think the only benefit really is to save space in the garage. Our home is three stories so it definitely takes some additional time creeping up to the third floor but it aint bad. Definitely livable.

 
If the goal is to have hot water immediately at the faucet you can get a "point of use water heater".  They are a couple hundred bucks and work well to provide almost instant hot water to those area of the house that take forever to get hot water flowing.
 
I ended up buying the Noritz 9.8 GPM tankless water heater for around $1,000 shipped.  I'll have it installed along with a water softener and filteration system.
 
USCTrojanCPA said:
I ended up buying the Noritz 9.8 GPM tankless water heater for around $1,000 shipped.  I'll have it installed along with a water softener and filteration system.
Click to expand...

Where you getting the softener from?
 
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