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Looking for advice / tips for changing to tankless water heater.
Posted on 2/24/18 at 5:08 am
Posted on 2/24/18 at 5:08 am
I currently have a gas water heater and would like to replace it with tankless. Any info on brands, do it yourself installation would be greatly appreciated, rather than going into this little project blind.
5
Posted on 2/24/18 at 6:18 am to Tiger In the Swamp
Interested, but I have been told it is NOT a DIY project. Something about vents or some other modification that requires heavy work.
I want to hear from someone who has done it though.
I want to hear from someone who has done it though.
Posted on 2/24/18 at 7:28 am to Lakefront-Tiger
Are you going with an all electric tankless water heater or a gas one? If electric then venting won't be an issue and you could probably swing it as a DYI. Just have to consider the gas disconnect from your old water heater. If you opt for a gas tankless, then just get you a plumber and call it done. We have one that's made to be mounted outside on the exterior wall and it's gas. Love that thing and never had an issue. Only regret, is that I didn't go tankless on the other side of the house. Now if I do it, I'll have a huge beast stuck in the attic.
Posted on 2/24/18 at 7:40 am to Tiger In the Swamp
It will take you many years to recoup the cost difference in savings.
Posted on 2/24/18 at 8:07 am to SouthernInsanity
quote:
If electric then venting won't be an issue and you could probably swing it as a DYI.
He's replacing a gas water heater so he would have to add a pretty substantial electric circuit or circuits which would include adding a appropriately sized breakers to his box and running appropriately size wire. Probably not a DIY for many, if not most people. For instance a 7 GPM Tankless is 36 kW and has a power draw of 150 amps via 3 separate 60 amp breakers with 3 separate runs of 6 or 8 gauge copper wiring. A 3 GPM 11KW unit Requires 1 60 Amp breaker and a run of 6 or 8 gauge copper wiring.
The gas tankless will also require and electric circuit for the controls, if I recall correctly, but it would be a 120 circuit with fairly low current draw, I think. Either is best left to a professional for most people
Posted on 2/24/18 at 9:34 am to Tiger In the Swamp
The largest obstacles are the venting as the size you currently have is more than likely too small for the tankless one and the required electrical circuit.
My plumber recommends the Rennai.
I replaced my tandem tanks last year and considered going tankless but didn’t want to unass the cash. My plumber charges me for material only so I replaced both tanks for $800.
My plumber recommends the Rennai.
I replaced my tandem tanks last year and considered going tankless but didn’t want to unass the cash. My plumber charges me for material only so I replaced both tanks for $800.
Posted on 2/24/18 at 9:43 am to Tiger In the Swamp
The most popular brand of tankless water heater seems to be the Rinnai. Most people that I come across with them have been very pleased with their performance, but a couple had lots of issues and eventually went back to a tank.
Conversion and installation of tankless is not a DIY project at all, as you generally have to alter a few different systems in your house (i.e. gas, electric, vent, etc.).
Conversion and installation of tankless is not a DIY project at all, as you generally have to alter a few different systems in your house (i.e. gas, electric, vent, etc.).
Posted on 4/20/18 at 7:43 am to OliverSmith7
I changed a traditional gas to a tankless gas a few years ago, here is what I learned
Do not go to an electric tankless heater
Best brand told to me by multiple plumbers is the norwitz
You need at least 10 gal per minute
It is a substantial project to switch out, run bigger gas line, re work plumbing, add stop valves, and some venting
It probably cost me close to 2K total with a plumber that gave me a deal on his labor
I got it for endless hot water, not to save money, it has worked well and I am very happy, but it does take longer to get hot water at the faucet(20-30 seconds)
Do not go to an electric tankless heater
Best brand told to me by multiple plumbers is the norwitz
You need at least 10 gal per minute
It is a substantial project to switch out, run bigger gas line, re work plumbing, add stop valves, and some venting
It probably cost me close to 2K total with a plumber that gave me a deal on his labor
I got it for endless hot water, not to save money, it has worked well and I am very happy, but it does take longer to get hot water at the faucet(20-30 seconds)
Posted on 4/20/18 at 8:33 am to Tigerpaw123
I purchased my home from some empty nesters, that installed a 40 gallon tank for a 3800 square foot home. (no dice). I remodeled my master bath and installed an electric tankless (very small) from the master shower. Installed it in the basement. Did all the electrical myself and plumbing. Pretty straight forward and fairly simple job, but also small as compared to an entire house.
Utilized a dead attic space and installed a new bath/shower upstairs and did the exact same thing for hot water for the shower and sink in the new addition. Both units were Rheem RTE13. (13KW) Water heaters. Units work excellent for the size job/situation they are used for.
One thing I have heard in reference to an entire home tankless is that it seems to take longer to get hot water to your most distant locations. It is recommended to go up in size 3/4" or 1" on your water pipe going from the water heater to the most distant locations, then neck the water line back down to 1/2" pipe as it turns into the wall to what ever outlet it feeds.
Utilized a dead attic space and installed a new bath/shower upstairs and did the exact same thing for hot water for the shower and sink in the new addition. Both units were Rheem RTE13. (13KW) Water heaters. Units work excellent for the size job/situation they are used for.
One thing I have heard in reference to an entire home tankless is that it seems to take longer to get hot water to your most distant locations. It is recommended to go up in size 3/4" or 1" on your water pipe going from the water heater to the most distant locations, then neck the water line back down to 1/2" pipe as it turns into the wall to what ever outlet it feeds.
This post was edited on 4/20/18 at 8:35 am
Posted on 4/20/18 at 8:46 am to Bolivar Shagnasty
LOVE our electric tankless setup by Rheem. Swapped out about 3 years ago and our electric usage actually went down!!! We were wasting so much energy maintaining 2 hot water heaters when we were not at home most of the day and sleep at night!!!! Honestly during the week you use hot water only a very few hours each day. Have since installed a smaller Rinnai tankless electric at our camp and has been perfect! Installation was a DYI breeze (had an electrician actually come do the final tie in at home) and would never ever go back to a tank system. Its just too nice and easy and you can adjust the water temp with a push of a button on both models!
Posted on 4/20/18 at 8:50 am to Tiger In the Swamp
We have run a Rinnai gas tankless at our older house for the past ten years with zero issues. Can't beat the convenience.
The current house we're actually living in had a brand new gas traditional tank mounted in a "heater hut" outside on the side of the house when I bought last year, so it wasn't worth it to replace right away. The minute that thing starts to go though, it will be super easy to replace with a Rinnai gas tankless. Definitely not a DIY project though.
The current house we're actually living in had a brand new gas traditional tank mounted in a "heater hut" outside on the side of the house when I bought last year, so it wasn't worth it to replace right away. The minute that thing starts to go though, it will be super easy to replace with a Rinnai gas tankless. Definitely not a DIY project though.
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