tankless water heaters

[Ray Whittington]

Has anyone had experience with electric tankless water heaters? Im considering for my house. Any recommendations on manufacturer? Any issues or concerns? Thanks.

[michael alexyParticipant]

A normal water heater using 20 amps of power heats about 20 gallons per hour, but can fill a 50 gallon tank in a little over an hour because the temperature is being stored so the water gets hot gradually and the temperature rise keeps getting smaller. If you have a tankless heater, then the temperature rise is always at the maximum, because it is always heating the incoming water. To heat even 5 gallons a minute, which is a normal shower despite EPA standards, requires an enormous amount of electricity. This translates into either very large wires, or less than 5 gpm of hot water. The first is expensive, and the second is inconvenient. The units also do not save much electricity because the biggest espense is heating the water you use. Reheating to compensate for heat loss is not a huge item, and you would probably not recover it with the savings before it was time to invest more money in expensive service and repairs. : Has anyone had experience with electric tankless water heaters? Im considering for my house. Any recommendations on manufacturer? Any issues or concerns? Thanks.

[michael alexyParticipant]

I manage a resort in the florida keys and have always (11.5 years) had tankless water heaters in all my rooms. I have found that ther are some problems. We had to find a system that did not have the element submurged in the water as we have very dirty water down here (its pumped from Miami to us in big pipes). Also I dont think that we have enough water pressure for them to work. My maintenance man has all kinds of reasons why we get complains. The most important thing for you to consider is the water pressure and water purity!! I wish I could help more. : A normal water heater using 20 amps of power heats about 20 gallons per hour, but can fill a 50 gallon tank in a little over an hour because the temperature is being stored so the water gets hot gradually and the temperature rise keeps getting smaller. If you have a tankless heater, then the temperature rise is always at the maximum, because it is always heating the incoming water. To heat even 5 gallons a minute, which is a normal shower despite EPA standards, requires an enormous amount of electricity. This translates into either very large wires, or less than 5 gpm of hot water. The first is expensive, and the second is inconvenient. The units also do not save much electricity because the biggest espense is heating the water you use. Reheating to compensate for heat loss is not a huge item, and you would probably not recover it with the savings before it was time to invest more money in expensive service and repairs. : : Has anyone had experience with electric tankless water heaters? Im considering for my house. Any recommendations on manufacturer? Any issues or concerns? Thanks.

[michael alexyParticipant]

I have just installed a Superior S220 in my 2600 sq ft house — two baths, washer/dryer, and two adults. It requires 60 A at 208 V t0 240 V.With one fawcet on, water is very warm, but not hot. Higher flow results in lower temperature. Of course, temperature depends on inlet water temperature and flow. It is summer now in Texas. The inlet water is not very cold.The unit is the most powerful offered by Superior (www.waterheater.net) and is very compact.: Has anyone had experience with electric tankless water heaters? Im considering for my house. Any recommendations on manufacturer? Any issues or concerns? Thanks.

[michael alexyParticipant]

: Has anyone had experience with electric tankless water heaters? Im considering for my house. Any recommendations on manufacturer? Any issues or concerns? Thanks.

[Author]

Posts