Anyone with a tankless or solar water heater? (HOA, new home)

[HX_Guy]

Need a new water heater. The easy and cheap was is to replace it with another standard gas storage tank type (about $375) but I've seen there are a lot of rebates and incentives to go either tankless or solar.

So...how difficult is it to convert from a standard gas water heater to a tankless or solar? Is one easier than the other (less down time)?

Is this even something that can be done relatively quickly or is it a longer process?

[Captain Bill]

Originally Posted by HX_Guy

Need a new water heater. The easy and cheap was is to replace it with another standard gas storage tank type (about $375) but I've seen there are a lot of rebates and incentives to go either tankless or solar.

So...how difficult is it to convert from a standard gas water heater to a tankless or solar? Is one easier than the other (less down time)?

Is this even something that can be done relatively quickly or is it a longer process?

If I were changing, I would go tankless. As I understand it, tankless is immediate hot water anywhere in the house. I suggest you google for the various tankless systems where you should be able to get a lot of info.

[HX_Guy]

Well, looks like we're going to go with the same type we had, a traditional 50 gallon gas water heater.

I spent a couple hours researching it and while solar is good for the environment and you will recoup the extra money you spend vs a traditional system, there is a lot of upfront cost that is hard to swing on a whim like this.

Basically, a system costs about $5300 of which $4505 if refundable through APS, Federal, and State tax refunds, so you are out $795 in the end vs about $400 for a traditional system. The difference can be recouped in about two years or so, but like I said, it's a big chunk of change without prior planning. Not to mention I need to find out the HOA rules and all of that and in the mean time we have no hot water right now. The easy, fast, and cheap was is to do a direct replacement of what we already had.

[ranman469]

tank less is good depending on the hot water demand you have.

most gas lines have to be up sized. the vents for them are special also.
do your homework! one of the things to look at is gpm of hot water, a tank less slows the water to heat it. most of the tank less heaters will run the water saver faucets without problems. but if you have hi flow fixtures or a roman tub, its a whole different game$$$$$

and if you take long showers and use lots of hot water?? think about this

a 50 gal-50,000btu hi eff. heater costs about 550$ per year based on a family of 4 as per the ratting tag.

a tank less can use up to 385,000btu for as long as the water runs, thats alot of gas.

i recomend a new eff. heater and a curlication system and insulate the hot pipes, this is what i did.

[HX_Guy]

We have a 50 gal. 40,000 btu heater now and are going to replace it with the same, family of 2.

[twiggy]

Yea, my husband the plumber always wants a tankless but really unless you're building a new home and factor that in it's a little hard to afford. Next time you can pm me and I'll cut you a deal on the instal or any plumbing issue. It helps a little to know a plumber. lol But ya, tankless are suppose to be pretty cool. lol Let me know if you need that 50 gal. heater put in HX GUY!

[azriverfan.]

Originally Posted by ranman469

tank less is good depending on the hot water demand you have.

most gas lines have to be up sized. the vents for them are special also.
do your homework! one of the things to look at is gpm of hot water, a tank less slows the water to heat it. most of the tank less heaters will run the water saver faucets without problems. but if you have hi flow fixtures or a roman tub, its a whole different game$$$$$

and if you take long showers and use lots of hot water?? think about this

a 50 gal-50,000btu hi eff. heater costs about 550$ per year based on a family of 4 as per the ratting tag.

a tank less can use up to 385,000btu for as long as the water runs, thats alot of gas.

i recomend a new eff. heater and a curlication system and insulate the hot pipes, this is what i did.

Great informative post. I looked into it as well and while the idea was nice, the expense of installing and running it was considerably more than a high efficiency heater. Likewise, the biggest turnoff to me was the water flow would be reduced and I just can't stand low flow in the shower etc. I just don't feel like you get as clean.

[altus2006]

We bought a new gas water heater and there is an attachment for it that runs less than $150 which gives us immediate hot water throughout the house.

I also checked out the tankless heaters and passed on them.

altus2006

[lyzzard]

I'm curious about the solar ones, anyone use one of these?

[joninaz]

Here's a good section on AZ Solar Center's site: Arizona Solar Center > Economics > Savings Calculators