Who has a tankless hot water heater?

[The Bad Guy]

I'm in the market for one and wanted to solicit opinions from who has them and what models they have?

My contractor is going to purchase one and I've read reviews, but wanted some first-hand info from people on here.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[Brock]

I was thinking of getting one last month, but the plumber talked me out of it. I was completely sold on the idea before that. He told me that most people he knew of who had them weren't satisfied with the amount of hot water they were getting. I wasn't going to take a chance on a couple thousand dollars, but maybe you'll get different advice.

[Buehler445]

We got one for our office. The brand is Titan, and I'm not sure which model it is, but it is a big one. It takes 2 30 amp 220 circuits to run. We don't use a lot of hot water there, but Dad did when he was laid up and showering there. The water is plenty hot and it will keep making it as long as you want.

It wasn't cheap, and it takes some serious electricity to run, but I'm happy.

If I were building a new home and it would be easy to get electricity and plumbing down there, I'd do it.

[The Bad Guy]

Originally Posted by Brock

I was thinking of getting one last month, but the plumber talked me out of it. I was completely sold on the idea before that. He told me that most people he knew of who had them weren't satisfied with the amount of hot water they were getting. I wasn't going to take a chance on a couple thousand dollars, but maybe you'll get different advice.

Good point. I've been debating. I might just get a real good tanked one and call it a day. The process has already been pretty difficult.

[Dave]

Hot water heater?

If the water is already hot, why does it need to be heated?

[Dayze]

Originally Posted by The Bad Guy

Good point. I've been debating. I might just get a real tanked and call it a day. The process has already been pretty difficult.

FYP

[Stewie]

Originally Posted by Brock

I was thinking of getting one last month, but the plumber talked me out of it. I was completely sold on the idea before that. He told me that most people he knew of who had them weren't satisfied with the amount of hot water they were getting. I wasn't going to take a chance on a couple thousand dollars, but maybe you'll get different advice.

This.

Consumer Reports has said the lack of consistent available hot water is a common issue that owners complain about. Also they need yearly maintenance (usually done by a plumber) to keep them in good working order. Cleaning scale deposits, etc.

[Shag]

Originally Posted by Brock

I was thinking of getting one last month, but the plumber talked me out of it. I was completely sold on the idea before that. He told me that most people he knew of who had them weren't satisfied with the amount of hot water they were getting. I wasn't going to take a chance on a couple thousand dollars, but maybe you'll get different advice.

Isn't the whole point of these that you don't ever run out of hot water? How does an on-demand water heater run out of hot water? Or, is it just not working as advertised?

[Brock]

Originally Posted by Shag

Isn't the whole point of these that you don't ever run out of hot water? How does an on-demand water heater run out of hot water? Or, is it just not working as advertised?

Not heating the water adequately on demand, I guess is more what the guy was telling me. To be fair, I told the guy that there are times when there are as many as 6 people living in my house, so what he's projecting as my demand for hot water at any given time may have factored into what he was telling me. I just couldn't see spending 4-5 times what a tank heater costs with any chance of not being completely satisfied with it.

[jd1020]

I'll take my cheaper gas water heater over an electric. I don't take 30 min showers anyways.

[Great Expectations]

With a couple of kids in the house I want the hot water to run out when their showers are way too long.

[Stewie]

Originally Posted by Shag

Isn't the whole point of these that you don't ever run out of hot water? How does an on-demand water heater run out of hot water? Or, is it just not working as advertised?

The biggest variable is the temperature of the water coming into the house. In the dead of winter you're going to get tepid "hot" water.

[jiveturkey]

I've been talked out of it by a plumber and a HVAC guy.

And this was while they were selling me other stuff.

[nstygma]

i was going to go with one of the big electric units, but the 55 degree rise in water temp wouldn't work for me in winter. My winter incoming water temp is 50-60 degrees.

if i make any changes, i will install a recirculation system using something like these:
http://www.amazon.com/Watts-500800-P.../dp/B000E78XHG
http://www.taco-hvac.com/en/products...t_category=360

Whole House Hot Water Recirculating Pump, Recirculating Pump Mounts To The Hot Water Outlet On The Water Heater & The Sensor Valve Mounts Under The Furthest Lavatory In The House Run, Turns Plumbing Into A Re-Circulating Loop, Every Faucet Will Have Hot Water Instantly

[R8ers]

My electric tank water heater went out 06/10 and I was going to get a tankless ... I was told the gas versions work good but the electric ones were not as good....

I went back with a tank