Tankless Water Heaters...Are They For You?

The popularity of Tankless Water Heaters has risen sharply in recent years. With manufacturers siting energy savings and "endless" hot water, many old and new homes are now using them. Replacing a water heater is a popular and basic upgrade to a home, so many of our clients will consider the difference between Tankless and traditional Tank water heaters. Here is an outline of the major characterisitcs of the Tankless units:

• Tankless water heaters provide an “endless” flow of hot water. This means that you don’t have to keep track of who’s used the hot water before you! Depending on the unit size, this flow can provide for multiple outlets (shower, sink, dishwasher, laundry, etc).

• Tankless water heaters only turn on when water is flowing and needed. This means that the unit is not operating when the homeowner is away. With most units expecting a lifespan of 25 years, this will translate into huge utility savings for the homeowner.

• Due to the technology and manufacture of tankless water heaters, safety is another benefit. Sealed combustion chambers, sealed exhaust, accurate temperature control, no pilot lights, and sleek unit design provide a safer home environment.

• Tankless water heaters are also popular in the “green building” movement, due to their long life, smaller design, use of readily recyclable materials (copper, stainless steel, aluminum) and low emissions.

• The compact design of tankless water heaters also results in less floor space required and ability to locate units closer to water fixtures (for less heat loss and faster hot water availability). Recess boxes are also available to hide unit in a wall, with only a door and trim showing!

• Digital technology allows for precise temperature management, with ability to install wireless remotes to adjust temp for each user’s preference!

Words of Caution:
• Units that are on interior walls or in small spaces need to be a “direct vent” type. These units have both an exhaust outlet (needs to be double wall stainless steel) and an intake inlet (can be Galvanized, ABS, or PVC pipe) running to the exterior of home.

• In most applications (check with local codes & inspectors), interior mounted units need to have a condensate line run to a nearby sewer line. This is due to condensate that can result from exhaust gas reacting with vent pipe material.

• Tankless water heaters only work with hot water circulation pump systems if proper steps and calculations are taken. If pump is too small, it will not create enough flow for unit to activate. If pump is too large, it can stress mechanical parts of unit AND cause unit to fire for longer periods of time (eliminating energy savings). Other options are to locate unit closer to demand area, or to use multiple units located in different parts of building.

Product Feedback:
• Rinnai Inc. has been in business since 1930. Their units have been used in:
o “Habitat for Humanity Builders Blitz” in Georgia and Mississippi,
o Sunset Magazine Demonstration House in Alamo, CA
o California Sustainable Task Green-Belt Idea Home in Menlo Park, CA.
• Rinnai offers a 12 year limited warranty on the heat exchanger and a 6 year warranty on all other parts.
• Noritz Inc. has been in tankless water heater business since 1951. They offer a 12 year warranty on heat exchanger and a 5 year warranty on all other parts. A number of units have been installed by Carlock Plumbing (one of our preferred sub contractors) with good feedback on reliability and performance.
• Takagi Inc. has been doing tankless heaters since 1952. They offer a 10 year warranty on the heat exchanger and a 5 year warranty on all other parts. They have been said to offer very good technical and customer support, along with reliable units with great performance.

• COST: Range for a standard residential home is $2500-$4500. This wide range is due to variables in where the unit is installed. This can dictate new or larger gas line runs, re-configuring of water piping and how venting is run.
Lower cost variables:
o Outside (no venting materials)
o Close to gas meter (less gas line labor)
o New construction (lines pre-run & included in new work)
o Less re-working of copper supply and output (from existing unit)

Tankless Water heaters, when properly installed, can be a great energy conscious and convenient feature for your home. Contact Carlock Plumbing (information at top of page) or our office with questions about getting your own unit. Let us know if you are looking to integrate a tankless unit into a more extensive remodel.