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Tankless Hot Water Heater Questions
Hello:
Have been looking at homes lately, and find that many are using tankless water heaters for supplying the hot water faucets in the home. Know nothing about how these works, or their pros and cons. I can figure out how the electric models work, I think, but how do the gas and oil ones operate ? I had a very old house once that had a tankless water heater on the regular home furnace. I'm not sure if the heat from the furnace, or some of the water used for the forced hot water heating system was on the primary side of this heat exchanger. Just out of curiosity which was most likely ? a. Any explanations on how my old one probably functioned, and how the new ones do now would be most appreciated. b. are they generally considered to be cheaper to operate than the stand alone tank types (I live in the Northeast) ? c. are they very popular these days ? d. pros and cons ? Much thanks, Bob |
#2
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Robert11 wrote:
b.**are*they*generally*considered*to*be*cheaper*to *operate*than*the*stand alone tank types (I live in the Northeast) ? Fuel cost is less. Convenience may vary with use. c.**are*they*very*popular*these*days*? Depends on what you define as popular. d.**pros*and*cons*? Tankless units generally cost more than tank units. Fuel cost is generally lower than tank units. Depending on capacity, a tankless may or may not "run out of hot water". If one planned to use a solar hot water heater, or other conservation measures, it would be reasonable to spend more money for a tankless. If one was not concerned with conservation, the bottom line would recommend a standard tank water heater. Note: if you plan to attach a solar hot water heater, make sure there is an anti-scald feature, that detects inlet water temperature. Such models will mix cold water with the scalding water to prevent injury. |
#3
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jetgraphics wrote:
Robert11 wrote: Tankless units generally cost more than tank units. Fuel cost is generally lower than tank units. Depending on capacity, a tankless may or may not "run out of hot water". It would seem like you wouldn't "run out" in the same way you do with a tank. If, for example, you had two showers and a dishwasher going, there might not be enough capacity to keep everything at desired temperature -- it's a function of load rather than size. Perhaps someone can give an example of how many different hot-water usages (say, two not-too restricted shower heads?) are typically possible with different size tankless heaters? If one planned to use a solar hot water heater, or other conservation measures, it would be reasonable to spend more money for a tankless. If one was not concerned with conservation, the bottom line would recommend a standard tank water heater. Not sure I follow this logic -- how is a desire for conservation different from a desire for a lower electric bill? The main reason I have been hesitating to buy one of these is exactly that it *doesn't* run out of water -- sometimes the bottom of the tank is the only thing that will get teenagers out of the shower. JGM |
#5
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JGM wrote:
(snip) The main reason I have been hesitating to buy one of these is exactly that it *doesn't* run out of water -- sometimes the bottom of the tank is the only thing that will get teenagers out of the shower. JGM There is always an inlet valve on the tank. In my house kids get the warning knock on the door after they are in the shower for 20+ minutes then I'm heading downstairs for the valve I wish someone could invent a coin operated hot water valve then kids can spent as much time as they like in the shower and spent less $$$ elsewhere. FC |
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