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Best tankless natural gas water heaters?

Posted on 4/26/23 at 3:39 pm
Posted by Pu2kph0
Member since Oct 2022
1189 posts
Posted on 4/26/23 at 3:39 pm
I have two traditional water heaters in my attic. I want to go tankless.

Which brands are the best?
Posted by notsince98
KC, MO
Member since Oct 2012
18153 posts
Posted on 4/26/23 at 3:49 pm to
it is probably more important to get a good install and have it properly sized. Without that, every brand will probably leave you unhappy. Proper design of tankless is a bit more complicated than with tank type heaters.

One thing to look for in any brand you are considering is the maintenance requirements. Make sure whatever you get doesn't require annual descaling.
Posted by CrawDude
Baton Rouge
Member since Apr 2019
5297 posts
Posted on 4/26/23 at 4:05 pm to
I’m sure notsince98 statement is correct - but I’m just going to throw this out there - last year, this month, I had a Navien tankless, natural gas, with built in recirculation pump, installed.

My BIL, a plumber, installed it, but he never installed that brand before; however, his brother also a plumber, operating a larger plumbing business in New Orleans, suggested the Navien tankless as they had started installing them, and they, as a plumbing company, and their customers, were happy with them. They can operate on a standard natural size gas line (1/2 inch?) used for tank water heaters whereas many other brands of tankless require a larger gas line be installed - just something to be aware of and consider in your selection.

ETA: I also have two water heaters, but I decided to keep 1 tank gas water heater, (I replaced both) that services the kitchen area and another full bath in a separate area of the house so that that I could be confident I’d have hot water during long term hurricane power outages as I don’t have a whole house standby generator. Just another consideration to mull over.
This post was edited on 4/26/23 at 4:13 pm
Posted by NPComb
Member since Jan 2019
27570 posts
Posted on 4/26/23 at 9:50 pm to
Do not get one from a big box store. Get one from a plumbers store like on Siegen. If you have issues, you can get parts easier. I have a Jacuzzi brand. It was a PITA to install but running strong after a decade. I know I am supposed to do some type of maintenance but so far I haven't needed it.
Posted by Jimbeaux28
Baton Rouge
Member since Jun 2007
4051 posts
Posted on 4/27/23 at 6:02 am to
I have had 2 Rinnai tankless heaters for over 8 years with zero problems.

Stay away from Rheem. Last house I had Rheem and had multiple issues with them.
Posted by bbvdd
Memphis, TN
Member since Jun 2009
25191 posts
Posted on 4/27/23 at 10:00 am to
Look at the cost of the tankless vs a traditional tank.

I replaced a water heater earlier this year. I fully was prepared and wanting a tankless until I priced them out.
The tankless was multiple times the price of a tanked heater. No way to recoup that cost in a timely fashion.
Posted by 385 Tiger
Baton Rouge
Member since Jan 2009
247 posts
Posted on 4/27/23 at 3:18 pm to
Anyone have any experience with a State brand tankless or tanked HW heater?
Posted by shell01
Marianna, FL
Member since Jul 2014
793 posts
Posted on 4/28/23 at 5:15 am to
We went with Rinnai to replace two tank water heaters. Runs off of a standard 1/2" NG line, super efficient (energy factor .96), 11 gpm, easy install. We've had it almost 5 yrs now, no problems at all.
This post was edited on 4/28/23 at 5:16 am
Posted by HarryCallahan
Member since Sep 2015
148 posts
Posted on 4/28/23 at 5:29 pm to
Plumber here-I’m preferential to Navien for ease of installation and maintenance-but you choose whatever you want. They all have a warranty with certified technicians that can service and repair a tankless. I don’t take advice from my BIL. ??
Posted by Turnblad85
Member since Sep 2022
1376 posts
Posted on 4/29/23 at 9:18 am to
Anyone have recent data on $ savings strictly regarding energy use with tankless vs tank? I remember checking on the savings with electric and it wasn't anywhere near worth it. The standby losses on tank was minimal especially if adding another insulation blanket. The main advantage would be limitless hot water. Fwiw, I had a electric tankless for a while and it sucked. May been just a faulty or cheap unit though.

But I also remember savings on gas tankless to be a bit more attractive due to how a gas tank heater functions.

Posted by 98eagle
Member since Sep 2020
1998 posts
Posted on 4/30/23 at 10:11 pm to
We have a natural gas Navien and really like it. It still requires a small amount of AC power, so I added a pure sine wave UPS backup so it will still work in a power outage.
Posted by RoachHotel
Bossier city
Member since Apr 2023
38 posts
Posted on 5/1/23 at 3:26 pm to
Navien 240A make sure they install the recirculation valve at your furthest faucet.
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