[outofsalt]

“Go Tankless. You will thank yourself.”

So.., you haven’t lost power yet... they won’t heat without an ignition source (none are battery back up) and you have to clean them at least once a year if you want them to work and, you won’t have 40-60 gallons in, “storage” if you need it and, they cost a lot more initially...

The concept is good but they need to integrate a battery back up for non-generator homes and they like very soft water to keep from sludging up.

They work well in tandem to a traditional tank if you put them at the furthest point in the plumbing run (away from the tank) as a supplemental heater. Good for big bathtubs or laundry when you have a lot of folks using hot water at the same time but they do require attention. The cost savings from energy use takes a while to pay off.

[boop]

Well said. I just had to replace my WH and it was only 9 years old. (Installed with the house). I saw the option of a tankless, then realized it was a great "idea". But way more expensive than the standard.

Plus with a twice yearly maintenance, it made no sense from a $ aspect.

$2400 range, and it takes several minutes before the hot water flows. Like a radiator in a car.

By the time my WH went caput I had spent plenty. It was time for a new one.

$1200 lighter, at least I know it will be going strong for another 10 years.

BTW, the plumber said that water heaters USED to last up to 30 years.

He said it was not unusual to replace one after that length of time.

I have no idea why mine only worked for only 9 years.

The plumber told me that my WH was notorious for being a crap model. Usually placed by a cheap builder.

[Tainan]

D cell batteries...no problem. Power outages do not affect hot water delivery. If there is water coming in - it will be heated.
As far as cost per day go...tankless is very far ahead in utility costs.

[faucetman]

Many gas water heaters today have a fan to vent directly to the outside as more and more homes no longer have chimneys.
Also the obvious “electric water heaters”.

Also not everyone has city water, everyone with a well pump knows that when the power goes out, the water quickly runs out.

So if you have a tankless heater, you will have a lot of company being without hot water.

The first thing a”rookie” plumber learns is that “Hot’s on the left, cold’s on the right, $hit” flows downhill, and payday is on Friday.”

The second thing he learns is that there is no such thing as a “hot” water heater. It’s a “water heater”. You don’t heat “hot” water.

The third thing he learns is that there is no such thing as a “monkey wrench”. It’s a “pipe wrench”, plumbers aren’t monkeys.