OT: Tank vs Tankless Water Heater

[NikkiSixx]

Bought a place that has a water heater that is 23 years old and still functioning..

Do I replace with another tank, or just go tankless.. I think it would be fairly easy to install the tankless if it stays at regular 120 volts electric levels. If I need to run a 240 line, it could be done, just runs up the costs. Maybe the tankless works best on the higher electric only?

Thoughts or experience with doing something like this?

 

[SuperBigFan69]

Is it your place or are you renting it out?

 

[Baxter48]

Bought a place that has a water heater that is 23 years old and still functioning..

Do I replace with another tank, or just go tankless.. I think it would be fairly easy to install the tankless if it stays at regular 120 volts electric levels. If I need to run a 240 line, it could be done, just runs up the costs. Maybe the tankless works best on the higher electric only?

Thoughts or experience with doing something like this?

What I was told tankless doesn’t really save you money because it takes more btu for instant hot water compared to a tank heater. Imo can you go gas or propane? We switched from electric to gas, you can go with a smaller tank and It’s money saving lot less monthly bill. We went with a power vent it’s a little more expensive but worth the investment

 

[Man Woman & Child]

Bought a place that has a water heater that is 23 years old and still functioning..

Do I replace with another tank, or just go tankless.. I think it would be fairly easy to install the tankless if it stays at regular 120 volts electric levels. If I need to run a 240 line, it could be done, just runs up the costs. Maybe the tankless works best on the higher electric only?

Thoughts or experience with doing something like this?

I looked into this and was told by 3 "experts" (a licensed plumber, a long time home inspector and a long time realtor) that you can't do tankless with electric. They're for gas only. Well, technically you can do it, but the electric bills will break you. The only tankless products that make any sense with electric is like an under sink instant hot water faucet type thing. If you can run gas to it, go tankless all day. But if you're stuck with electric, you're screwed. Edit to add - quick google search seems to dispute this, so maybe there are products out there that are efficient enough?

 

[WHCSC]

I have tankless LP and am constantly waiting for hot water

 

[NikkiSixx]

sounds like I'll just choose the tank replacement option..

this place could indeed become a rental/seasonal home

Sadly, no gas option here, all electric. Appreciate the insights!

 

[SeaOfRed75]

Early on when tankless we're becoming a thing, had a friend look into getting one and iirc couldn't get one without replacing the vent pipe all the way as it needed double walled due to hotter vent temps? Older home and a long time ago so I could be off.

 

[H2M]

I looked into this and was told by 3 "experts" (a licensed plumber, a long time home inspector and a long time realtor) that you can't do tankless with electric. They're for gas only. Well, technically you can do it, but the electric bills will break you. The only tankless products that make any sense with electric is like an under sink instant hot water faucet type thing. If you can run gas to it, go tankless all day. But if you're stuck with electric, you're screwed. Edit to add - quick google search seems to dispute this, so maybe there are products out there that are efficient enough?

Correct. Electric tankless is normally only practical for a remote sink, it just can't keep up with the demands and takes too long for hot water. I've installed a propane driven tankless for the main part of the house but also have a tank for the kitchen sink & dishwasher which is quite aways from the tankless source.

 

[Baxter48]

sounds like I'll just choose the tank replacement option..

this place could indeed become a rental/seasonal home

Sadly, no gas option here, all electric. Appreciate the insights!

is propane available in your area? If so I’d sure look into getting a 500 gallon tank, heating the house is more economical with gas/propane let alone hot water heater and cooking stove. Our 100 year old farm house is heated by propane plus hot water and I think we use roughly 1000 gallons for the year, we hooked up a generac 18 kw to run the house when there is a power outage

 

[4.6.3]

Electric tankless takes a ton of amps to put out limited hot water.

 

[4.6.3]

Bought a place that has a water heater that is 23 years old and still functioning..

Do I replace with another tank, or just go tankless.. I think it would be fairly easy to install the tankless if it stays at regular 120 volts electric levels. If I need to run a 240 line, it could be done, just runs up the costs. Maybe the tankless works best on the higher electric only?

Thoughts or experience with doing something like this?

You won’t just be running 240. If you want it whole house you’ll probably be upgrading your service and panel., or installing a sub panel because of load demand on them

 

[HuskerInCarolina]

I have tankless 120v and am constantly waiting for hot water

Same! I don’t like the tankless. The side of the house where the water heater is gets warm water in 30 seconds. The other side of the house, 2 minutes if I’m lucky. Although, for some reason the shower on the other side of the house gets hot quick. But the 2 sinks in the bathroom, 2 minutes or more. It’s insane. And yes, I am turning the hot water knob for those sinks lol

 

[SuperBigFan69]

Same! I don’t like the tankless. The side of the house where the water heater is gets warm water in 30 seconds. The other side of the house, 2 minutes if I’m lucky. Although, for some reason the shower on the other side of the house gets hot quick. But the 2 sinks in the bathroom, 2 minutes or more. It’s insane. And yes, I am turning the hot water knob for those sinks lol

That is funny!

 

[SuperBigFan69]

Probably will have to go to 221

 

[Anon1707625086]

Bought a place that has a water heater that is 23 years old and still functioning..

Do I replace with another tank, or just go tankless.. I think it would be fairly easy to install the tankless if it stays at regular 120 volts electric levels. If I need to run a 240 line, it could be done, just runs up the costs. Maybe the tankless works best on the higher electric only?

Thoughts or experience with doing something like this?

Electric tankless sucks. You won’t have hot water at 120 other than hand washing.
gas tankless is good, requires some maintenance, need to close to the outside to vent or $$$$

 

[raymondbrown]

A tank water heater stores and continuously heats a set amount of water, making it a cost-effective option with a lower upfront price. A tankless water heater heats water on demand, providing an endless supply of hot water while using less energy over time. The best choice depends on your budget, household size, and hot water usage needs.

 

[bigboxes]

A tank water heater stores and continuously heats a set amount of water, making it a cost-effective option with a lower upfront price. A tankless water heater heats water on demand, providing an endless supply of hot water while using less energy over time. The best choice depends on your budget, household size, and hot water usage needs.

Thank you, totally not AI poster!

 

[PvilleHuskerTim]

I have tankless LP and am constantly waiting for hot water

We have had a NG tankless for about 20 years. Initially we had the same problem in that 1 side of the house (and main level and upstairs) took a long time to get hot water. We added a very small water heater that heats the water in the pipes, and we get hot water almost instantly all throughout the house. Essentially, a circulating water heater. Doesn't really add hardly anything to monthly utility bills. Wifey likes to keep the temp at 140 degrees.

 

[WHCSC]

We have had a NG tankless for about 20 years. Initially we had the same problem in that 1 side of the house (and main level and upstairs) took a long time to get hot water. We added a very small water heater that heats the water in the pipes, and we get hot water almost instantly all throughout the house. Essentially, a circulating water heater. Doesn't really add hardly anything to monthly utility bills. Wifey likes to keep the temp at 140 degrees.

Tell me more

 

[HUSKERFAN66]

Every plumber or supplier has talked me out of tankless....especially electric.

Distance is huge. Tabkless gas is ok if washing machine, kitchen and bathroom are close. Otherwise need unit in multiple locations which becomes infeasable

 

[Vanhusker]

I started out in property management and have taken care of my own rentals for years. My $.02, don't replace the water heater just because it's old. Run it into the ground. You'll never get as many years out of the new ones.

 

[salsa red]

I started out in property management and have taken care of my own rentals for years. My $.02, don't replace the water heater just because it's old. Run it into the ground. You'll never get as many years out of the new ones.

My parents have one thats like 30 years old, they looked to get a quote for a new one to install and they wanted like $5k to install it. My AC went out recently and I got a few quote, one big company wanted $20k. Ended up using a referral for a company that ended up around $6200. The margins on some of these big home purchases are quite large.

 

[RBigredMax1]

This is what we use in Iowa. I’m learning a lot in this thread.

 

[PvilleHuskerTim]

Tell me more

My plumber somehow connected a small "regular" water heater (probably the smallest you can get?) to the tankless so I think they somehow work in tandem. The small water heater keeps the water warm/hot in the lines all throughout the house. That helps because when we turn the shower/bath on upstairs it gets hot very quickly. The tankless then supplies most of the hot water.

 

[Husker.Wed._rivals]

is propane available in your area? If so I’d sure look into getting a 500 gallon tank, heating the house is more economical with gas/propane let alone hot water heater and cooking stove. Our 100 year old farm house is heated by propane plus hot water and I think we use roughly 1000 gallons for the year, we hooked up a generac 18 kw to run the house when there is a power outage

I added up my power needs and felt an 18kW would suffice. The Generator Store in Omaha refused to install anything less than a 24kW. He did a calculation for running my jacuzzi, an electric dryer, the air conditioning, and every light and appliance in the house all at the same time. I told him an 18 would be enough and if he couldn't handle that I'd make the purchase somewhere else. He said that was OK make the purchase somewhere else. He said he was "saving me from myself" since taxing the 18kW could mess up the transfer switch, etc. The 24kW was $1000 more so I went with it.

 

[Baxter48]

I added up my power needs and felt an 18kW would suffice. The Generator Store in Omaha refused to install anything less than a 24kW. He did a calculation for running my jacuzzi, an electric dryer, the air conditioning, and every light and appliance in the house all at the same time. I told him an 18 would be enough and if he couldn't handle that I'd make the purchase somewhere else. He said that was OK make the purchase somewhere else. He said he was "saving me from myself" since taxing the 18kW could mess up the transfer switch, etc. The 24kW was $1000 more so I went with it.

The power company could have told you your peak usage, but hey for an extra 1000 dollars I’d have bought the bigger one also. In my situation it was 6000 dollars higher and i haven’t had any issues with a 18 kw running our well and mini splits and drier

 

[StayFrosty2]

My parents have one thats like 30 years old, they looked to get a quote for a new one to install and they wanted like $5k to install it. My AC went out recently and I got a few quote, one big company wanted $20k. Ended up using a referral for a company that ended up around $6200. The margins on some of these big home purchases are quite large.

Holy crap! $5K to install the water heater? Where do they live, I am curious because about 7 years ago (in Omaha) I had one replaced at my first house and with the heater and install I was under $1750. Granted I didn't go with a larger tank and swapped size for size so I suppose not much modification needed to be done. It was gas. Can't believe how some of these things get charged. I'm in the wrong business.

 

[Husker.Wed._rivals]

The power company could have told you your peak usage, but hey for an extra 1000 dollars I’d have bought the bigger one also. In my situation it was 6000 dollars higher and i haven’t had any issues with a 18 kw running our well and mini splits and drier

In 4 years the generator has kicked when we lost power a few times for 10 minutes or so. We had power out for 4 hours a couple years back and had guests over, so that was a relief. We had another 2 hour outage one night last year and I told the wife I was going to turn on every light in the house and outside to show people "I have power and you don't." Mrs. HW told me to act my age.