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re: Tanked vs Tankless water heater
Posted on 2/9/22 at 1:51 pm to Putty
Posted on 2/9/22 at 1:51 pm to Putty
quote:I have a tankless and have thought about plugging it in through some sort of APC battery backup outlet. Never got around to researching if that was feasible before getting a generator that would run it.
An additional drawback is if the power goes out you have no hot water. That said, I love tankless.
1
Posted on 2/9/22 at 1:59 pm to Man4others
quote:
Tankless requires a 4 inch exhaust pipe while Tanks have a 3 inch.
Or just install the tankless outside and not worry about venting.
Posted on 2/9/22 at 2:32 pm to shell01
quote:
just install the tankless outside and not worry about venting.
Any idea what is the downside on that? Would it last as long? I'm curious because that is what I want to do but am curious on the downsides
Posted on 2/9/22 at 2:54 pm to Shaun176
Matt Risinger has a recent youtube video comparing all options. I suggest checking it out to make an informed decision.
Posted on 2/9/22 at 3:19 pm to trident
quote:
just install the tankless outside and not worry about venting.
Any idea what is the downside on that? Would it last as long? I'm curious because that is what I want to do but am curious on the downsides
Well for example in Texas last year there was planned power outages and 4-5 days of 10 degree weather. Some home builders built whole neighborhoods with those exterior rheems. When the power outages happened the mechanism that protects them from freezing doesnt work and there was a major shortage of exterior units that would fit in the existing boxes. Thats another drawback. They chip out brick and recess it into an exterior wall.
Posted on 2/9/22 at 9:16 pm to themicah85
I've never seen them "built in" on the exterior...that seems short sighted.
The exterior units I've seen, mine included, are simply mounted to the siding/brick/whatever.
Only downside to an exterior install I'm aware of is if retrofitting an existing house, you'll have some level of plumbing and electrical rework to do. And I guess it could be considered an eyesore although they make covers for the pipes and such.
The machines have some level of freeze protection built in, so long as they have power and gas. My Rinnai for example is good to -4F. But of course the pipes into/out of the unit have to be wrapped/protected. Power draw is tiny so they can be run off a UPS or generator in case of outage.
The exterior units I've seen, mine included, are simply mounted to the siding/brick/whatever.
Only downside to an exterior install I'm aware of is if retrofitting an existing house, you'll have some level of plumbing and electrical rework to do. And I guess it could be considered an eyesore although they make covers for the pipes and such.
The machines have some level of freeze protection built in, so long as they have power and gas. My Rinnai for example is good to -4F. But of course the pipes into/out of the unit have to be wrapped/protected. Power draw is tiny so they can be run off a UPS or generator in case of outage.
Posted on 2/9/22 at 10:08 pm to shell01
quote:
I've never seen them "built in" on the exterior...that seems short sighted.
My neighbor had a "built in" exterior tankless installed recently. They cut out the brick and it looks like the google image below. I think it would offer some additional freeze protection. It was also painted the same color as the bricks so you don't really notice that it's there. You can get a recess box for a tankless water heater at home depot, lowes ....
This post was edited on 2/9/22 at 10:12 pm
Posted on 2/10/22 at 8:04 am to shell01
quote:
I've never seen them "built in" on the exterior...that seems short sighted.
The exterior units I've seen, mine included, are simply mounted to the siding/brick/whatever.
Only downside to an exterior install I'm aware of is if retrofitting an existing house, you'll have some level of plumbing and electrical rework to do. And I guess it could be considered an eyesore although they make covers for the pipes and such.
The machines have some level of freeze protection built in, so long as they have power and gas. My Rinnai for example is good to -4F. But of course the pipes into/out of the unit have to be wrapped/protected. Power draw is tiny so they can be run off a UPS or generator in case of outage.
It is very short sighted, especially given that the rheem tankless is the only unit that will fit in that box. It became a whole thing in DFW last year during the freeze because a ton of these new homes have the exact same heater. If you could have gotten your hands on a few hundred of the rheem external units you could have made a fortune without ever leaving a 5 mile radius. My guess is there is some sort of cost savings on that exterior mount vs exterior recessed unit. I dont know why you wouldnt just put it in your garage but maybe thats just me.
Posted on 2/10/22 at 7:46 pm to themicah85
Our neighborhood has multiple Rinnai tankless that were installed in the outer wall during construction. They mounted the boxes in the walls when they were framing the houses and insulated and bricked around them. The vents are on the cover plate and gases vent outward.
The open area of the box insert where the actual heater parts are mounted is not insulated, in extreme cold like last years East Texas freeze, we woke up the 3rd day of low 20’s and had low flow on the bathroom faucets, we had to run an extension cord around the corner of the house and put a small halogen type light in the heater area but it warmed it enough to get the inlet line thawed and kept it from freezing until outdoor temperatures warmed up.
The open area of the box insert where the actual heater parts are mounted is not insulated, in extreme cold like last years East Texas freeze, we woke up the 3rd day of low 20’s and had low flow on the bathroom faucets, we had to run an extension cord around the corner of the house and put a small halogen type light in the heater area but it warmed it enough to get the inlet line thawed and kept it from freezing until outdoor temperatures warmed up.
Posted on 2/11/22 at 9:41 am to Hermit Crab
Posted on 2/11/22 at 9:58 am to Shaun176
quote:I just went thru the same dilemma. Here's what I found out. Depending on your needs, a tankless heater is going to cost between $1500-2000 just for the heater. Now you are going to have to hire someone to plumb it, run the gas line, and do the electrical. Keep in mind, if you get an exterior unit, you will most likely need a cover, and some holes may need to be drilled thru your exterior wall. If you go with an interior model, you will need a drain for the condensation. You will also need a vent for the burned gas emissions. Depending on your needs again (size of the house, and number of people residing) you may need TWO UNITS! Also consider that the unit will need regular maintenance. Renaii recommends a yearly flush out. From what I understand, that is not all that simple.
About time to replace our water heater. Any recs on tanked vs tankless based on your experience? We have a gas system. Also, is this a diy job or plumber? Any recs on a plumber to do this in BR?
I was ready to pull the trigger on a tankless, but have reconsidered. Just not enough upside to warrant the cost.
Posted on 2/13/22 at 10:06 pm to Shaun176
I switched from 2 50 gallon tanked to a single tankless 4 years ago. Love it and everything about it, except the power outage issue. Time to get hot water essentially the same as with the tanks. Also, if my someone is filling the huge bathtub with a high volume flow, it slows the water in other areas a little. I think this is more of a gpm issue than the tankless.
Cost was about $1600 each installed for 2 new 50 gallon tanks. Tankless was about $3600. So about the same. Took out those giant “water bombs” in my attic.
Cost was about $1600 each installed for 2 new 50 gallon tanks. Tankless was about $3600. So about the same. Took out those giant “water bombs” in my attic.
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