Tankless Water Heater

9 Responses to “Help! Think We Need To Replace Electric Water Heater – Tankless Vs. Regular? Brands You Recommend?”

1. Dont touch that dial
   November 24th, 2009 @ 1:33 pm

   Tank style would prolly be your best bet.
   The primary differences in hot water heaters/heater warranties is a ‘self cleaning’ feature,
   the equivalent of an insurance policy,
   number (and material) for anodes,
   heat recovery rate and
   for electrics, upper heating element sheath material (copper v. SS ).
   As long as there IS a cold water inlet dip tube, AFAICT,
   a dip tube is a dip tube.
   Brand name doesn’t seem to make much difference when viewing longevity.
   The components (tanks, etc) are prolly the same regardless of model/warranty.
   If one anode is good, two just has to be better? *L*
   Review the heat recovery rates. For the most part, let your wallet be your guide as electrics are way slower than gas.
   A SS sheath theoretically lasts longer than copper.
   Have yall had your water analyzed for the metallic taste problem?
   Edit-
   Tried a second lab?

2. sava
   November 24th, 2009 @ 6:47 pm

   Tank-less heaters are the way of the future. But only the gas models for the near future. The electric models, while available have major draw backs, namely they require at least an 100 amp dedicated circuit. Allot of homes only have 100 amp service, if this true you will have to upgrade that before installing a tank-less system . . .
   hope this helps . . .

3. Jeffrey J
   November 24th, 2009 @ 9:14 pm

   from what I understand unless you are a PRO…. you can’t install a tank-less by yourself, it takes someone that has been trained on how to do it. When I checked last year tank less water heaters ran a couple thousand dollars… You have no access to a gas line at all? You need to have hot water for bathing/dishes, especially dishes sanitary reasons. Also make sure you check with your county for permits… Check Consumer Reports for the best and worse. Sears / Kenmore is a good way to go for any home appliance, their warranties are good.

4. beachcom
   November 25th, 2009 @ 4:12 am

   Well we just replaced ours, it was really old, and began to leak, we bought a GE..from Home Depot, it was called “a high Demand” its better for when alot of hot water is demanded through the house. Ok my father and uncles installed uit them selves, but this is what the had to do, make sure the sizes are the same, or good enough to fit in the space of the older one, then with the water connection pipes, make sure you have the right size “bends” and and other pipes that will fit with the newer one… and what ive noticed is that with the newr water heaters are so muc h better because there is always hot water even after 4 people took a shower consecutively. lol…the old one would run out with just one person… If you have more questions about it before buying, you chould talk to a representative from the store you are gonna purchase it from, they will knnow much more ( and somethimes my father thinks he knows everything htat involves tools. lol.

5. Cindy
   November 25th, 2009 @ 7:00 am

   I used the tankless, on demand water heaters several years ago, had to replace them every year, just couldn’t handle the use. I now use a gas water tank system. Hot water heaters are pretty much the same if you get a brand name. A warranty will help, by the way a 5 year tank vs a 10 year tank is just how much you pay.

6. Jim W
   November 25th, 2009 @ 8:49 am

   Forget the electric tankless water heater unless you like keeping your blood pressure up. Install a Rheem Marathon water heater. It has a plastic tank and a lifetime warranty. Costs a little more but well worth it. Also, the most effecient heater you can buy. Best of luck.

7. Walt
   November 25th, 2009 @ 12:40 pm

   If you’re thinking of installing an electric tankless water heater, you’ll find that the electrical requirements are monstrously huge – it’s unlikely that a typical residential electric panel will support one w/o significant (read: expensive) upgrades.
   As for the metallic taste, I would have the water tested to determine exactly what’s causing it.

8. zak
   November 25th, 2009 @ 5:34 pm

   for household hot water, a tank system is better, you should be looking at what size and either gas or electric. a tank less system is for one fixture that would need “hot water on demand”. like a bathroom sink or the like. If your furnace does not have a hot water coil, then you should consider a hot water heater. It would be better to get a more high end one, because they are more efficient. you could also install a preheating tank in conjunction with the hot water tank (it more or less heats the water to room temp, it decreases the recovery time on a hot water heater…this would come in handy for a bigger family or if you used a lot of hot water) if you have an other questions, feel free to email me and i will get back to you.

9. Steve G
   November 25th, 2009 @ 3:16 pm

   1- there is a valve at the bottom of your tank put something underneath and open it just a bit this will show you if there is rust in you tank. 2- Your pipes should not rust, they should be cooper or PVC. 3- In your words you say the hot water smells and “TASTES” metallic….You should never drink hot water from the tap always boil cold water. 4- I can not work do to health reasons but if you need help taking out and putting back in a new one e-mail me! P.S. you should go with a regular low cost and energy efficient tank, it should last you at least 5 years

Leave a Reply