Does anyone have a tank less water heater, and how do you like it? Is it better then the tank water heater?

Question

Need to get new water heater!

Answer 1

Marie, I worked for a utility company for many years. I still remember the "party line."

Tankless water heaters are all electric. They work well and deliver virtually endless hot water, which can be a big deal in a house with high water usage or demand (think teens in the shower, laundry and dishwasher both needing to be done or run most evenings, etc.).

However, electricity is a far more expensive way to heat water than natural gas. While you will see performance improvement, you will probably see higher utility bills for electric without a corresponding reduction in the natural gas bill for the water heating you're no longer doing.

We used to recommend a slightly-larger capacity water heater (50 gallons to replace 40, for instance) with a fast-recovery feature, operating on natural gas, for the best combination of performance and economy.

Answer 2

We had one and it was gas. We replaced it recently with the tank variety even though it was only 3 years old. We didn't like it because our bathrooms are a very long way from the utility room where the heater was and it just took too long to get the water hot because of a built in delay to start heating the water. Other people love them so I think the problem with ours was the size of the house and location of the heater.

Answer 3

I've had a Paloma for 25 years - obviously not the same model since mine is quite old. Never needs maintenance, rarely needs a cleaning. I will never understand why every home in America doesn't have one of these. Probably recaptured the initial cost in the first 2-3 years. Don't know why you would put it outdoors. Mine's a big one in the cellar. (I live in Maine). If I had it to do over I'd install a couple small ones closer to where they are needed. It takes a bit of time for hot water to reach the kitchen. Of course, the same would be true if I had a tank down cellar instead! E-mail me if you would like more details.

Answer 4

Tank less are great, but a good one is expencive, It will take several years to recoop your money, go on line look up tankless water heaters or go to consuers report by the best you can aford be sure your electrical pannel can handle the extra amount of wattage it will take Do,nt let anyone tell you they are only electric you can get gas fired one,s also

Answer 5

I use tankless all my properties and would be my best option for the water heater.

You need to understand how it works and how to apply it to take good advantage of it. Most plumbers may not have good experience with it yet in US, due to US just start to adapt and accept it in recent year.

Answer 6

This is a love/hate situation. I would not install one in my house. Initial cost for either gas or electric unit is high. If you have hard water, you don't want one. Many Plumbers will install them but do not do service work on them due to the complexity of the workings.

Answer 7

I had one and HATED it. We live in Vermont, so in the winter the water is cold. In the winter we would have about 2 minutes of warm water and after that is was cool at best. I am fast in the shower but not that fast.

Answer 8

There is no doubt that they use less energy. They come in gas or electric. The thing is that you may never see any savings. They cost so much more that by time it is paid for itself in savings , it may be worn out. They do save the worlds energy resouces though.

Answer 9

I have a friend who has one & totally loves it. It was easy to install & they never run out of hot water.

Answer 10

There is a lot of controvery over this subject, but I dont like the tankless and if you are considering one - check information found at http://appliancequickfix.com/BULLETINBOARD.html
first.