Tankless vs Tank WH and Elec vs Gas

[boarder42]

Moving into a new house and the water heater likely needs replacing.

Considering going with an electric tankless heater.  we have a gas furnace but no other gas appliances.  This would allow me to shut off gas service and avoid 30 bucks a month in hookup fees for ~7months a year.  adding to the cost savings. 


anyone have experience thoughts

[Jeremy E.]

I prefer heat pump water heaters, you should look into them if you haven't done so yet

[boarder42]

just ran across them.  Very intrigued.  seems like it will help cool the house in the summer since i keep it at 78(though this is in the basement) so it will likely be cooler in that room.  And it will use the residual heat from the furnace in the winter. 

i assume they are slow to heat water so once its empty its not gonna be hot for a while? 

[acroy]

If you have modest load, I highly suggest electric tankless water heater.
$200! spare change ;)
http://www.amazon.com/Rheem-RTE-13-Electric-Tankless/dp/B003UHUSGQ/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1456236080&sr=8-3&keywords=electric+water+heater
Simple, efficient, bulletproof. A co-worker of mine installed one himself and loves it.
From what I can tell, heat pump water heaters are cool tech but expensive, complex, more to fail.

[Jeremy E.]

If you have modest load, I highly suggest electric tankless water heater.
$200! spare change ;)
http://www.amazon.com/Rheem-RTE-13-Electric-Tankless/dp/B003UHUSGQ/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1456236080&sr=8-3&keywords=electric+water+heater
Simple, efficient, bulletproof. A co-worker of mine installed one himself and loves it.
From what I can tell, heat pump water heaters are cool tech but expensive, complex, more to fail.

That looks like a really good deal, if it doesn't use too much electricity and 4gpm is enough, i'd go for this

[boarder42]

4GPM is likely not enough for future when we have kids.  i'm sure it would work now.

[gillstone]

Temperature of your groundwater will be a big part of your tank vs tankless consideration.  If you live in a temperate or warm place, a tankless could be solid deal. In cold places where groundwater is in the low 40s F its a big climb in temperature which means reduced flow rate.

[boarder42]

we are in MO.  i measured our cold water this morning and it was 55

[Cromacster]

I've been looking at tankless water heaters for a few years now.  I've haven't completely decided if I want gas or electric.  Both would require upfront work in terms of piping the gas to the water heater, or updating my electrical panel to support a tankless heater.

If I were going to get an electric I would get the following. Ecosmart model.  6gpm which supports cold climates and multiple showers.

Ecosmart ECO 27

[boarder42]

I've been looking at tankless water heaters for a few years now.  I've haven't completely decided if I want gas or electric.  Both would require upfront work in terms of piping the gas to the water heater, or updating my electrical panel to support a tankless heater.

If I were going to get an electric I would get the following. Ecosmart model.  6gpm which supports cold climates and multiple showers.

Ecosmart ECO 27

thats the exact one i was looking at.  its nice that it has 3 elements on different breakers and only turns on what is needed.  so if you're doing one shower you're not powering and heating water unless its needed.  the down size is you have 3 40amp breakers eating up your electical panel. 

[Cromacster]

I've been looking at tankless water heaters for a few years now.  I've haven't completely decided if I want gas or electric.  Both would require upfront work in terms of piping the gas to the water heater, or updating my electrical panel to support a tankless heater.

If I were going to get an electric I would get the following. Ecosmart model.  6gpm which supports cold climates and multiple showers.

Ecosmart ECO 27

thats the exact one i was looking at.  its nice that it has 3 elements on different breakers and only turns on what is needed.  so if you're doing one shower you're not powering and heating water unless its needed.  the down size is you have 3 40amp breakers eating up your electical panel. 

Yep, probably the reason I haven't purchased it.  My current water heater uses 2 40 amp breakers and my panel is full.  They sell a smaller version that only requires 2 breakers, but I'm not convinced it would work great in my climate.