Tankless - What to know before you buy

Picking your Tankless Water Heater & Matt's Recommendations for New Builds and Remodels
The models in the video are linked to Amazon so you can see approx pricing of these units:

[Dawt_Calm]

I have three electric tankless units located next to each point of use. One under the kitchen sink for sink/dishwasher/washing machine, one in each bathroom for the sink/shower. Not everyone can install smaller units like that, I planned for it during a remodel.
When you install one large unit for the whole house there are two issues.
By installing smaller units you have several advantages.
1. Smaller units are usually electric. Electric tankless don't need to be vented. Venting cost money to install and maintain, not only that but every molecule of air which is vented out of the house negatively pressurizes the house. Which increases HVAC costs. Electricity cost more than gas, but doesn't require venting, which offsets that difference somewhat.
1a. Smaller units can be installed close the point of use, inside cabinets, under counters, in nearby closets.
1b. Because the unit is installed close to the point of use there is instant hot water. In larger whole house systems, whether gas or electric, tank or tankless, when you turn on the water you have to wait for the cold water to cycle through before you get hot. Smaller systems are installed at the point of use, so the hot water is nearly instant.
2. By having the unit so close to the point of use there is very little energy waste. In many hot water systems, both gas and electric, the water has to be piped 20-50 feet on average. Those pipes need to be installed, insulated and maintained. The longest run from heater to tap is around 8 feet in my house. That's only because I have a shower head in the ceiling, not the wall.
3. Smaller units don't require significant rewiring of the breaker box. They can be connected with a 220V outlet (Some are even 110, but that won't run a shower)
4. If you have multiple smaller units, if one unit fails the entire house doesn't lose hot water. So for instance I have two bathrooms. If one unit has a maintenance issue it is shut down, while the other is still operable. We can get by with hot water in one bathroom until a service can be scheduled. No more costly emergency service calls.

[shade]

When I was in Japan, the house we lived in had a tankless unit made by Rinnai. About half the size of the smallest one in your video. It worked beautifully! There was a remote control box installed in the kitchen. It allowed you to turn the unit on and off and control the temperature from inside the house. The water was brought to temperature almost immediately. For me tankless is an easy choice.

[rioborzeli]

Just got the largest Navion dual, domistic and water heating boiler installed. Such great technology in the new heaters. To be free of Oil AND 24 /7 240 electric hot wayer, im very happy

[LEX-rhjr]

Great video for "newbie" in tankless water heaters.
Very clear explanation, in simple, plain English.
Thanks! 👍 👍 👍

[kansascityonline]

My ole water heater is going out after 22yrs.. I am considering installing tankless and watched this video to gain more knowledge. Thanks for the high quality video and simple to understand overview!..

[estudioperalez]

Matt - Your videos have always saved me hours of product research online. I now send your video links directly to my clients. They also love your videos. Thank you and please keep them coming!

[marygilroy]

Thanks for posting this! It's so hard to find unbiased info on water heaters where I live!

[springtimeplumbing]

In a retrofit situation, I often still install the condensing models. I use a condensate neutralizer to correct the acidity of the condensate water, a condensate pump, and the old pressure relief piping to get it to the outside.

Tank Water Heater is very conveniently, I truly recommend !!!

[charlesjenkins]

Your point on size and regional temperature is spot on. I have a tankless. I live in NY and I totally notice the temp difference between a hot summer day and a very cold winter night.

[rogercamargo]

Hey Matt, I have owned/installed 3 Bosch tankless and 2 Rheem hybrids, in houses I have owned, with much satisfaction. However!!! Last winter (sometime in April we had a severe freeze. During that freeze, due to a power outage, my most recent RTGH95xlp developed a leak. I called warranty and PG&E. Both told me that I was out $1200 bucks. The small leak is in the area of the top intake tube going into the stainless pre-warmer compartment. I took the heater guts apart from the enclosure (enough to slide the guts toward the top to expose that plastic elbow, p2). I couldn't determine where the leak is (no split or broken on fittings or copper tube). They tell me at Rheem that there are no repair parts available. The woman I spoke with was very cold and unconcerned about my plight. So, I do not recommend Rheem.

[jpe]

Matt, thanks for another informative video. I really appreciate you clarifying the issue of how long for payback on the energy savings of tankless, explaining that the biggest selling point is the unlimited hot water, not saving energy. Ever since I upgraded from a 20 to a 40 gallon water heater I’ve never run out of hot water, so I’m glad to know that there is little reason for me to change to tankless.

[br]

My tank’s lifespan is just about up and it’s in the attic( don’t ask why a builder thought this was a good idea.). This video has really helped on which unit to use.

[Dexter]

I upgraded from old tank water heater to an ao Smith 96% efficiency model. Installed it myself. Was a bit of a pain but no regrets. I did it primarily for efficiency but the endless hot water is nice too. I would recommend the condensating model even if you have to drill a hole in the side of your house for the intake/exhaust.

[vsMagua]

Hi Matt. I'm loving your videos. I watched one yesterday and subscribed. I've worked in the building industry all of my adult life. I'm 65 now and want to build a small masonry/framing solar home for myself and your videos have a lot of valuable information that I hope to learn much more from. Thank You

[bmwmike]

Hey Matt... I'm not sure for up north, but here in South Florida, and as an electrical contractor, for an electric tankless water heater, I have had amazing results with EcoSmart tankless water heaters. The brand you showed today I have had nothing but complaints here especially with not heating water that well.

I personally havr an ecosmart eco27 in my home and I will NEVER go back. Ecosmarts are also a LOT smaller and slimmer than most others and most of the time less expensive!

But I know everyone's got their own preferences :)

[wjthehomebuilder]

Congrats Matt! You made it over 100K subscribers (like over night?) I swear the count was at 99K just yesterday. Great way to ring in the new year! We love our endless water (Noritz unit, 94 % efficient.) Great comments. Another bonus for the 90+ models in new construction is being able to plan ahead on the gas line needing to be sized to be able to supply the 199K BTU. The only thing I don't like on ours (because I have not installed a circ pump) is the sandwich effect. When turned on, the hot water is warm (from previous water in the line), then goes cold (from the water that has slipped by the heater) then finally gets hot from the unit producing hot water. At least I can plan on that at the beginning of a shower, and not run out of hot water before I'm done!! The more of your videos I see, the more I appreciate the building science approach! Thanks again! - Wally

[BlackhawkPilot]

I have used a Takagi for 13 years without an issue. Next to the furnace so venting was not an issue. The natural gas input line had to be resized so it could supply both the furnace and the hot water heater. Pumps between the hot and cold water at the end points give almost instant hot water. Gas line and pumps were the major expense not the hot water heater with installation.

Also put one in my mother’s house for both hotwater and radiant heat. It works very well doing both functions.

[bradneilly]

Production quality and depth of information continues to get even better! You're doing a really nice job with this channel.

[dishserv]

Great information. Make sure that the condensate water drains into PVC and not cast iron. The acidity of the condensate will erode the cast iron.