Tankless Water Heaters - Warm Advantage Program (fit in, credit)

[Schmurg]

Does anyone have any experience with a tankless water heater recently? I need a new hot water heater and was considering one since there is the $300 rebate for a .82 and up from PSE&G.

I did a search of the forum and saw posts from 2009 and 2010 saying how expensive they were. Is it installation that brings it up? Seems that the tankless is only $300-$400 more at Home Depot. When you consider the rebate would seem to be a slam dunk. I must be missing something.

[joe moving]

there are a few things

one,,, your gas meter may not be rated for it. most are rated for 275,000 btus I think, and these things pull 150k btus. add your stove, furnace and gas dryer and you could in theory be over 275,000 btus. PSE&G or whomever may (should?) give you a new one for free if you need a bigger one. I believe they say right on them what they are rated for.

next, you need to run a big gas line to the heater. You may or may not already have a big enough line. you can figure this out pretty easily by looking at the size of the pipe, and measuring it distance from the meter . there are charts on the internet that say what length and diameter pipe is rated for in BTUs.

the rest of the install should be very easy especially if you are on an outside wall. you might also want to check federal rebates that you could stack on the NJ rebates. you get a $300 tax CREDIT it sounds like.

Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency : ENERGY STAR

[rscalzo]

It doesn't matter much unless you just want that style. the tax credits have expired.

Have the tax credits been extended for 2012? Are any products currently

eligible for a tax credits for energy efficient home improvements?

No, tax credits have not been extended for 2012.

The tax credits for the following products have EXPIRED as of December 31, 2011:

Windows and Doors
Insulation
Roofs
HVAC: Central Air Conditioners, Air Source Heat Pumps, Furnaces and Boilers Water Heaters: Gas, Oil, & Propane Water Heaters, Electric Heat Pump Water Heaters
Biomass Stoves

Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency : ENERGY STAR

[Goldendoodle1969]

My in-laws just had one installed. The biggest drawback is that it takes a bit for the water to heat up. The reason why tankless saves so much energy is because you are not paying to keep a big tank of hot water heated all the time. You are saving $50-$100 per year on your energy bill depending on what size unit you have. So the system really doesn't start paying for itself until year 5(savings average is $60/yr). Like you said the tax credit helps to make it pay for itself quicker but the drawback is that you still have to wait longer for your water to heat up.

I should note that just in an effort to be greener I will get one in my next house, but since we are not in our house long term it doesn't make sense for us to make the investment now.

[bradykp]

anyone have information on this PSEG credit? I'm installing a tankless hot water heater soon.

[joe moving]

-:: PSEG - we make things work for you ::-

[boozereddy]

you also need to consider venting cost for the tankless heater. It costs around 1000$ to install a metal one I guess, i read this info long back. I might be wrong.

[flyonpa]

I put one in few years ago, Upside, my Gas bill is down about $400 a year, but dont know how much of that is the tankless hot water heater vs heat/degree days. We never run out of hotwater, and with a teenager that and both of us taking shower in the morning one of us got a cold shower. Down side, Our water bill has gone up, Takes longer for the hot water to get to the shower then when we had a tank.

It was installed on the garage wall about 20 feet from where the tank was, and vented right out the side of the house.

[bradykp]

Originally Posted by boozereddy

you also need to consider venting cost for the tankless heater. It costs around 1000$ to install a metal one I guess, i read this info long back. I might be wrong.

my quote on the tankless navian 240a is $2800 including full install. it's not a short-term investment by any means.

[joe moving]

i dont know what the unit alone costs, but a lower end Rinnai is 600 bucks. I guess the navia 240a is mroe like 1200 or 1400 plus 1400 for install. That is a lot but that's a pro job. I would consider this in a new home or retrofit in my next home.