Who manufacturers tankless water heaters and do they really work? What are the considerations?

Answer 1

We are going the tankless route in our home remodel due to space constraints. I found a list of manufacturers at a site called www.getwithgreen.com under their Water Heater category. In addition to the list of manufacturers (and links are provided directly to those manufacturers) there are some Comments on experiences.

What I also captured on the site was rebate information. Definitely something we will be leveraging when we make our purchase in about a month.

I'd check the site out for a quick look into manufacturers.

Answer 2

OK, I work for an Electric utility and here's the truth: Yes, tankless water heaters do work, BUT, they are actually more expensive to run and do not last very long.
Here's why:
1. You may need a larger service to your home. Most homes are on a 100 kw service. Many of the tankless water heaters push the homes' limit over that 100kw and require a 200kw service instead, which costs money.
2. While true that the unit only runs while hot water is being called for, when it is running it uses approximately 10 times the current that a normal WH will use to maintain its temp.
3. The heating elements are much weaker than a standard WH, so the life expectancy is 10 times shorter. This is especially true if you have harder water. And unlike a standard WH, replacing elements in a tankless means buying a new unit.
4. Depending on the size of your home, a central tankless WH may not be enough. Many homes require smaller units under bathroom or kitchen sinks in order to supply the hot water.
Believe me, I've researched these extensively. If they were really worth it, I'd tell you.

Answer 3

Go to Home-Depot and check them out, they have several brands that are not made in Asia.

These are very expensive, all of them, after installation, and not many non-professionals can install one, it could cost you anywhere of three or four thousand dollars. The one I wanted for two of us would be in the neighborhood of two grand.
I choose to have the hot water hooked to my furnace instead. I have radiator heat.

If your a young couple just starting out and, building, it would be worth it. If your over middle aged, you'd never pay for it during your lifetime, unless your rich.

These in time I'm sure will come down in price as they become popular, like the flat screen TV. They were eight to thirteen thousand when they came out, now they're compatible with a good TV.

Answer 4

They work great, and I searched Yahoo once and noticed that a lot of them are manufactured in Asia. The more bathrooms in your house then the bigger the model you will need to buy.

Answer 5

Bosch, Noritz, and a bunch of others.
http://www.tankless-water-heater.com/

Yeah they work. Either gas or electric.