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Ummmm....if you're talking about something big enough for a house, there's NO way I'd do it. MAYBE with gas - but NO way w/electric - way too much energy needed! And be VERY sure you're softener is working perfectly - hard water destroys 'em quickly.
I suspect anyone who has installed an electric on-demand water heater has since declared bankruptcy due to high electric bills and doesn't have the money to have internet access. /sarcasm
We've looked into a gas/propane unit (will do the project in a few years) but there's no way I'd install an electric.
Glad you posted this! I am interested in a tankless/on demand hot water system. In 2 years it will be just me and it's going to be a drag to heat x gallons of water 24/7...talk about high energy bills!
I wonder if the tankless/on demand water heater would at least save even if just a few pennies a month?
(I live in an area where people are moving away from gas as the increases every year have made it just as expensive as electric....most find all electric cheaper to run/maintain than gas or partial gas)
Tankless heaters in a retrofit remind me a lot of the various solar things out there - yeah, they'll work....but by the time you ammortize 'em, your GRANDKIDS will be the first to see savings.
I installed two of them... bought the first one made by Siemens in 1985 and added another in 2000 when I added another bath.
The first one serves one full bath with tub, kitchen and laundry sink...
The second one serves a bathroom with a nice shower... no tub.
This is a get-away home and the reason for electric is that is the only utility easily available in the remote area. High Tension Power Lines run just over the hill.
Propane would have delivery problems... plus the expense of an underground tank required... no natural gas in the area and the home has septic and a well.
The only time any difference is noted is when filling the bath... it takes 3 times as long because the flow is reduced. Water Temperature is no problem and showers are not any different then having a natural gas hot water heater except the hot water never runs out.
Some in the area have added the temperature adjustable faucets... they constantly adjust the mix to maintain temp.
Primary heat for the home is wood... with a couple of electric space heaters for back-up... very seldom used.
Electric is the only utility... and it is quite reasonable... although the home is only used about 4 months a year...
One word of caution... don't have one in any unheated space in winter... unlike a gas fired tank type heater, the tankless units will freeze... I go through a rigoris winterizing process each year and use compressed air to ensure no water is left in the heat coils.
Last edited by Ultrarunner; 01-30-2010 at 10:15 PM..
I have heard that for electric, it is just not worth it. The technology isn't there for electric that is up to par with the gas systems.
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Electric Heatpump Water Heater
