tankless water heater options - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

72chevy4x4 · 01-23-2009, 01:22 PM

HO wants a tankless but has no gas service. LP I suppose is an option. How does electric compare to the NG/LP versions? any recommendations on a reliable brand?

PLUMBINGITALL · 01-23-2009, 02:00 PM

Stay away from electric tankless. They are not efficient. I would go with lp if that was my other option. My opinon on a good name would be rinnia tankless.

plumber1a · 01-23-2009, 06:04 PM

I've yet to see an electric tankles other than those small under 3 C.I. ones, If larger ones are made I'm sure they cost too much to operate.

PLUMBINGITALL · 01-23-2009, 07:49 PM

6

I've yet to see an electric tankles other than those small under 3 C.I. ones, If larger ones are made I'm sure they cost too much to operate.

JUST FOR INFORMATION ONLY THEY DO MAKE ELECTRIC TANKLESS BUT THEY DO COST ALOT TO OPERATE DUE TO THE DEMAND OF 3-#6 WIRES RUN TO THE HEATER=3-60AMP BREAKERS.

GDouglas · 01-24-2009, 01:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 72chevy4x4

HO wants a tankless but has no gas service. LP I suppose is an option. How does electric compare to the NG/LP versions? any recommendations on a reliable brand?

Hello 72 Chevy4X4..... Your info is a bit sparse but, based on what U've said, maybe this brief summation can be of use.
I ' assume' this HO has 'A' water heater now and its a standard electrical type, of 30-40gal., that serves the whole home. (?)
Forget the LP gas idea for a whole house tankless heater. Tankless heaters use quite a bit of fuel when their activated. An LP tank of sufficient size could cost the HO some $$ to incorporate, along with their wishes, for the Tankless unit...of a given btu capability, depending on the demand required for that HO's household, etc..??
Electric water heaters cost more to operate than NG [.] U can attach, circulating pre-heater on the roof etc etc and blanket the heater etc. to help reduce kw costs. But, its all about $$$ and what the HO is willing to do and the R.O.I. as well, to consider.
There are POU type electric water heaters, but their flows are often slow, to accomodate the temp of water created with only 15-20amp ga. wire. and believe me, its slow and 'just' warm.
POU types that will handle higher temp and flow rates would require heavier ga. wire @ 220V or higher.
Your HO could install these at each required location but, the wiring would have to be changed, your electric panel, and the costs would be substantial, for what they get.. and so on. Not really a good option.
IF, a gas line is present on the property somewhere underground, but was never utilized..?? A meter could still be installed by the gas company.
Subsequently, a properly sized gas line could be installed and interfaced with a Tankless heater and all that goes with it..at the current water heater location, the HO has now. I'm assuming they have a water heater...?
Anyway, thats it in a nutshell. Hope it was of some assistance.
Good Luck.

72chevy4x4 · 01-24-2009, 08:11 AM

thanks for the reply's guys. a tankless is out of the questions-no fuel source available and the electric version between the high current draw and supply issues won't work. They'll likely choose to stay with their 40g electric once faced with the provided information.