trad. water heater vs. on-demand one

[johneel]

I have to replace my water heater (along with my hot-air furnace and oil tank -- I'm converting to gas -- but that's another story.). Anyways, I'm thinking of having installed an on demand water heater -- you know, suitcase-sized, pumping out GPM hot water on demand as opposed to running electricity to heat a traditional 40/50-gallon tank. Any thoughts from the pros out there? It's a family summer house on Cape Cod. No big crowds. Never a washing machine running while someone is taking an outside shower. I figure it'll cost more up front (I've seen units advertised for about $1000 as opposed to $500-$600 for a tank water heater) but what do you think? Thank you in advance.

[DuckButter]

If you have one installed, make sure the plumber pulls permits...reason is the gas co in MA offers a $300 rebate on them up front. (Keyspan, Nstar)
Unless you're switching to propane (Churchills?)...then there's no rebate...that I know of.

Here: GasNetworks - Efficiency Programs - Residential (http://gasnetworks.com/efficiency/resid_water.asp)

Whatever you do...DON'T buy your own, specifically stay away from the Bosch units sold at Lowes.
DON'T get anything less than a "whole home" unit...they have flow restrictors built in that will make your life miserable if more than one fixture is in use and you're trying to shower.

[NHMaster3015]

I like Rinnai. And though they are not ideal for full draw applications, I believe that in this application it would be just fine.

[westcoastplumber]

Rinnai is top of the line in my book. they have the best customer service and support of any other manufacturer out there.

Tnkless is not for everyone, I would recommen you look at all your options, expect to pay someone for a good installation, do not go cheap as you will regret it in the past.

I believe rinnai has a web site, www.foreverhotwater.com (http://www.foreverhotwater.com) , here, you can see how much money you will save, energy savings come in different forms, not just the fact you will be saving water by keeping a 50 gallon amount of water hot when you don't need to. Call tech support and they will tell you all different ways you save.

I wouldn't look at it as huge money savings, I would look at it as endless hot water, space savings, energy savings, warranty, ease of use.

It is very important ot have the unit installed correctly, I cannot stress this enough!

[aero1]

Rinnai is top of the line in my book. they have the best customer service and support of any other manufacturer out there.

Tnkless is not for everyone, I would recommen you look at all your options, expect to pay someone for a good installation, do not go cheap as you will regret it in the past.

I believe rinnai has a web site, www.foreverhotwater.com (http://www.foreverhotwater.com) , here, you can see how much money you will save, energy savings come in different forms, not just the fact you will be saving water by keeping a 50 gallon amount of water hot when you don't need to. Call tech support and they will tell you all different ways you save.

I wouldn't look at it as huge money savings, I would look at it as endless hot water, space savings, energy savings, warranty, ease of use.

It is very important ot have the unit installed correctly, I cannot stress this enough!
could not agree more:)

[Service Guy]

Agree, I recently got certified to install Rinnai on-demand water heaters, as they seem to make a great product.

[PLUMBER RICK]

being that it's a summer house/ 3 months a year? i would look at your total cost, prior to spending the money on a tankless.

not sure if the money spent will pay back on a summer house.

remember to turn off the electric heater when the house is not occupied.

compare the numbers so you're not surprised.

rick.

[johneel]

Thanks all.

[bigPipe09]

If you are drawing water from a deep well, you need to find out hat the hardness of the water is...The Rinnai has a 3/8" heat exchanger that becomes plugged very easy if you have a high GPG of calcium and magnesium. This is something I find is overlooked, especially in my region where we have water hardness of about 14-15 grains per gallon