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Water heater replacement
Posted on 6/13/23 at 9:38 am
Posted on 6/13/23 at 9:38 am
Have a tank water heater and want to go tankless. Just my wife and I and we don't use much hot water, washing clothes and such.. Natural gas supply, what says the H&G? And can I do it myself?
6
Posted on 6/13/23 at 9:59 am to VernonPLSUfan
When I did this a few years ago, it was pretty involved. Took 2 plumbers a whole day due to running 3/4" lines to the location. Also need power supply at the location. I'd say this is not a simple DIY
Posted on 6/13/23 at 10:59 am to VernonPLSUfan
I “helped” my BIL, a master plumber (watched him mostly and handed him tools and fittings), install one in my house, last year - after watching him no way in the world would I ever attempt to install one as a DYI project.
To be honest if I had to do it over, I would go back to a tank water heater, which it replaced, as I have a empty nest household as as well and my demand and need for unlimited hot water just isn’t there. But in a house with teenagers - that’s a different ball game.
To be honest if I had to do it over, I would go back to a tank water heater, which it replaced, as I have a empty nest household as as well and my demand and need for unlimited hot water just isn’t there. But in a house with teenagers - that’s a different ball game.
Posted on 6/13/23 at 11:56 am to CrawDude
But at the same time you’re not using energy 24 hours a day to keep water hot in a tank. The tankless only makes/uses hot water “on demand”.
Posted on 6/13/23 at 12:07 pm to VernonPLSUfan
quote:
Just my wife and I and we don't use much hot water, washing clothes and such.
That's my household situation. I did the math and in 15 years I would start saving about $5 a month by switching from a gas tank heater to tankless.
Cost to replace tank is about $600 to self install. Tankless would require plumber to run larger gas pipe, electrician to install 110 volt outlet. Possible roof work for new vent setup and higer cost of tankless heater.
So I replaced my tank with another tank
This post was edited on 6/13/23 at 12:38 pm
Posted on 6/13/23 at 12:22 pm to VernonPLSUfan
I would just replace the tank type me.
Posted on 6/13/23 at 12:32 pm to MrBobDobalina
quote:I've replaced multiple old-style tank heaters with ease, but was glad I hired a licensed installer when we upgraded to a tankless unit.
I would just replace the tank type me.
If you live in an area with hard water (per the map below), be warned that tankless heaters typically require de-scaling every 6 months using a portable pump and acid solution.
Posted on 6/13/23 at 12:46 pm to VernonPLSUfan
I replaced a tank with a tank heater a few months ago.
I researched going tankless and the price difference would take 10-12 years to recoup the savings.
I researched going tankless and the price difference would take 10-12 years to recoup the savings.
Posted on 6/13/23 at 1:08 pm to WB Davis
I'm ok I'm in the slightly hard area. I have all the connections right where my tank is now so it would only require a little gas refiguration. Thanks for the input. Seems like a no brainer for the little use I have in my household.
Posted on 6/13/23 at 1:36 pm to VernonPLSUfan
quote:
Seems like a no brainer for the little use I have in my household.
If you have low hot water use and don't run out of hot water. The no brainer is continuing to use a tank heater.
Posted on 6/13/23 at 1:41 pm to weadjust
Just go up a size. About 3 months ago mine started leaking from the bottom. I think it was installed around 2005 or so. I forget the exact year on the stamp, but the plumber that replaced it said anything past 12 years or so is great. We've been in the house 16 years and it was fairly new when we moved in. I upgraded from a 40 gallon to a 50 gallon. Nothing besides the fast fill faucet on the freestanding tub uses a ton of hot water at once.
Posted on 6/13/23 at 2:01 pm to TU Rob
Have had the tank since 2007. Definitely got my money's worth. And the new pilot I put in was free to boot.
Posted on 6/13/23 at 2:22 pm to VernonPLSUfan
I went tankless a year ago. You clean the system annually with vinegar and a submersible pump. It is easy to do. It is preventative maintenance. A tank should be drained yearly as well.I did not like having a 50 gallon tank in the attic. 30 year warranty vs 12 year was a no brainer. Cost of 2 water heaters paid for 1 tankless.
Posted on 6/13/23 at 2:48 pm to GusMcRae
quote:Tanks are extremely well-insulated. If we don't use any water my gas unit fires up for maybe 10 minutes per day.
But at the same time you’re not using energy 24 hours a day to keep water hot in a tank.
If it's energy use you're worried about then look into heat pump or hybrid water heaters. Pricey maybe but I wouldn't think much different all-in vs. a whole home tankless unit (of course depending on a lot of stuff). The main drawback is they take a while to heat water, but if consumption is low that's not a problem. Bonus side-effect they cool the air if installed in the living space.
Posted on 6/13/23 at 2:55 pm to LSUPat
quote:
30 year warranty vs 12 year was a no brainer
What tankless has a 30 year warranty? Most tankless offer about the same length warrantys as a tank.
Posted on 6/13/23 at 3:05 pm to weadjust
Consider a tankless water heater with a recirculation pump for faster hot water access. If your current tanked system has a 1/2 gas line, choose a Navien condensing unit as it supports 1/2 gas lines, saving you from costly upgrades. Condensing units also eliminate the need for expensive double-walled venting.
Posted on 6/13/23 at 3:15 pm to lsujro
quote:
Took 2 plumbers a whole day due to running 3/4" lines to the location.
Keep in mind, today's tankless units (particularly condensing) don't strictly require 3/4" gas lines. It really depends on pressure and the length of piping involved. I just replaced a 50-gallon tank with another 50-gallon tank for my fiancée's mother's house, could have ran a tankless unit on the 1/2" pipe since was only about 2' coming off a 1" line and has the pressure. Didn't go tankless due to the ROI would have been pretty lengthy and didn't want to make it a bigger project than it already was. Another thing with tankless is that you have to supply 120VAC and that in a power outage you also won't have hot water like you would with a tank unit unless you have backup power.
This post was edited on 6/13/23 at 3:16 pm
Posted on 6/13/23 at 3:17 pm to weadjust
quote:We enjoy endless hot water, but it's no joy to maintain something that's about as complex as a jet aircraft engine.
The no brainer is continuing to use a tank heater.
Likely because of hard water, we've had multiple components fail inside our Navien tankless unit.
It's been surprisingly difficult to find qualified service techs.
And researching those fixes myself - then finding and installing the parts - could be the most difficult home repairs I've completed.
Posted on 6/13/23 at 3:26 pm to VernonPLSUfan
Tough job yourself....and pretty expensive.
I have had both, and for the price my gas tank heater works fine and has 20-30 year life. I do have to wait 15-20 seconds for hot water....not a big deal.
Not really sure about the long term gas savings....
Good luck.
I have had both, and for the price my gas tank heater works fine and has 20-30 year life. I do have to wait 15-20 seconds for hot water....not a big deal.
Not really sure about the long term gas savings....
Good luck.
Posted on 6/13/23 at 3:29 pm to CrawDude
quote:
as I have a empty nest household as as well and my demand and need for unlimited hot water just isn’t there.
That's when it is most cost-effective. Since your demand is minimal and typically once or twice a day at most.
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