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Best tankless natural gas water heaters?
Posted on 4/26/23 at 3:39 pm
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?
Which brands are the best?
11
Posted on 4/26/23 at 3:49 pm to Pu2kph0
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.
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 on 4/26/23 at 4:05 pm to Pu2kph0
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.
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 on 4/26/23 at 9:50 pm to Pu2kph0
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 on 4/27/23 at 6:02 am to Pu2kph0
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.
Stay away from Rheem. Last house I had Rheem and had multiple issues with them.
Posted on 4/27/23 at 9:14 am to Jimbeaux28
Second the Navien’s, especially if you don’t have a recirc line already. They’re mechanically simpler than Rinnai and less finicky. Rinnai’s with the wired controller for the recirc pump have to be reprogrammed every time the power flickers in my experience, and the controller is not user friendly. You will need a vent and clean air intake plumbed through the roof regardless of brand.
Posted on 4/27/23 at 9:17 am to CrawDude
quote:
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 plumber only uses Navion tankless heaters. He has a number of reasons why, main one for him, less problems, no followup visits.
Back when I built and flipped houses, my plumber then, only used Delta fixtures, same reason, less callbacks.
Posted on 4/27/23 at 10:00 am to Pu2kph0
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.
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 on 4/27/23 at 12:28 pm to bbvdd
quote:
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.
Understandable, but as with anything, how long you plan to be in the house, cost of replacement, etc.
My friend had two 50 gal tanks on each end of the house. The difference was minimal. Plus, I believe you can claim tax credits on the tankless.
Posted on 4/27/23 at 12:46 pm to bbvdd
quote:
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.
Same thing here. My 50gal tank water heater costs about $5-7/mo of NG to heat water. A tankless costs about $1500 more than a tank heater here. There is no payback in my situation. My family is also happy with 1.5gpm and 2.0gpm shower heads so we never run out of hot water anyway. The only benefit I'd see with tankless is that I'd free up some space in the basement.
Posted on 4/27/23 at 3:18 pm to Pu2kph0
Anyone have any experience with a State brand tankless or tanked HW heater?
Posted on 4/28/23 at 5:15 am to Pu2kph0
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 on 4/28/23 at 9:55 am to 385 Tiger
quote:
Anyone have any experience with a State brand tankless or tanked HW heater?
My dad has one. 50 gallon tank, that is. Was installed in 1995. Works great.
quote:
Stay away from Rheem.
I disagree with this. I've had a Rheem tankless since 2012. No problems. I do flush it every 2-3 years.
Posted on 4/28/23 at 5:29 pm to Pu2kph0
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 on 4/28/23 at 5:55 pm to HarryCallahan
quote:
I don’t take advice from my BIL. ??
Let me understand, your BIL is a licensed master plumber of 40 years, his brother a licensed master plumber of 45+ years, installed and serviced 100s of tankless water heaters over the years between the 2 of them, and you don’t take or consider the advice of said BIL on what brand tankless they suggest to you?
Perhaps it’s better to take the advice on a tankless selection from the neighbor across the street who is an accountant?
Posted on 4/28/23 at 8:07 pm to CrawDude
I get it. You have a wealth of knowledge from others. But I am also a master plumber. I work with this material daily-do you? Lol
Posted on 4/29/23 at 9:02 am to HarryCallahan
quote:
But I am also a master plumber. I work with this material daily-do you? Lol
Of course I’m not a master plumber, nor do work with plumbing daily, nor did I say I did, that is why I’m knowledgeable enough to take the advice of my BIL who is a master plumber on all things related to plumbing, who like you, works with that material daily. I’m sure you learned your trade and earned your licenses over the years on all things related to plumbing from listening, learning and taking the advice of other master plumbers who taught and trained you, whether they were your BIL or not - correct?
Anyway sorry if I may have mis-interpreted what I thought to be a dig that you don’t take advice from BILs when I clearly stated in my post that my BIL was a plumber, his brother, who I know well, is also a plumber, who between have 8 decades of experience as plumbers and I chose to follow their advice on installing a Navien, which I shared with the OP, and which of course you also stated I was a brand/manufacturer you liked.
I thought sharing that tidbit of information might be helpful to the OP in making an informed decision.
I have a lot respect for you guys, and you clearly you earn every $ you make - I learned a little of that being my BIL’s “helper” on my 2 water heater installs.
This post was edited on 4/29/23 at 9:04 am
Posted on 4/29/23 at 9:18 am to Pu2kph0
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.
But I also remember savings on gas tankless to be a bit more attractive due to how a gas tank heater functions.
Posted on 4/29/23 at 10:15 am to CrawDude
No worries, brother! I enjoy reading your posts. Very enlightening. Carry on.
Posted on 4/30/23 at 10:11 pm to Pu2kph0
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.
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