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Tankless water heaters

MJ5150

MJ5150

Moderator
Staff member
Gold Supporting Member
Apr 12, 2001
17,407
35,695
Edinburg, Texas
#1
Alrighty...the floors are done, time for the next project. The wife and I have decided on a tankless water heater. I'm excited about reclaiming the space in the garage, the reduced operating costs, and the constant hot water with both showers going at once.

We had a company come out and give us a bid of $2250 plus tax to install a middle grade Rinnai unit. The bid covers everything, including removal of our current water heater. Another company came in with a bid of just under $2,000. The third guy who came out came in at $2500.

I normally prefer to do all work on my house myself, so I immediately started exploring pricing and installation guides. It looks like I can buy all of the equipment for about $900-1100. Yeah, yeah...I know about all the "must be installed by a licensed contractor" warnings. I've done enough work like this and built enough homes over the years to know what I am doing here.

So does anyone out there have one of these units in their home? What brand is it? Do you like it? Does it really keep the hot water flowing with two showers going at once? Did you install it?

-Mike
 
#5
Since when do two people in the same house shower at the same time? Two showers running at once would deplete a tank heater almost immediately. Screw that. The hefty mid-to-high end inline heaters can easily supply two showers at once.

If you have two showers, price out the unit that can handle the volume.
 
#6
I work at a plumbing supply house and we sell Rinnai.

Just a side note, some people won't sell Rinnai to you unless you're licensed.

Make sure you spec the right size for the amount of fixtures you have in your house. It's common for people to underspec their house.

Tankless heaters are a larger initial investment, as you know, but the efficiency is worth it in the long run.
 
#7
OH! AWESOME!

Coworker just had a really bitchin' suggestion. More expensive this way, but if you got the cash...


Install the smaller units at each plumbing fixture. One for the kitchen, one for the bathroom, one for the shower, one for the laundry. That way, instead of waiting for the loooong runs of piping from the central heater to the faucet to displace the room temperature sitting water and the hot water to finally get to the faucet, it'll be hot immediately when you need it.

I like this idea. But this is most definitely a luxury. Total overkill, unless you seriously use hot water a lot. I could see this in a restaurant or something. Or a mansion. :)
 
#8
Bryan316 said:
Since when do two people in the same house shower at the same time?
Click to expand...

It would happen everyday in our house if it was possible. Right now, we have to take turns and the last person gets stuck with the lukewarm-cold water.

Bernie.....thanks for the info, that was great. How are the Rinnai units as far as reliability? The unit I am looking at is the R75LSIN, which seems to be the middle of the road for their line. I would most likely buy the unit online, or at Home Depot/Lowes.

-Mike
 
#9
Bryan316 said:
Install the smaller units at each plumbing fixture. One for the kitchen, one for the bathroom, one for the shower, one for the laundry. That way, instead of waiting for the loooong runs of piping from the central heater to the faucet to displace the room temperature sitting water and the hot water to finally get to the faucet, it'll be hot immediately when you need it.
Click to expand...

Interesting idea. We have an "insta-hot" unit in our kitchen. I don't think those are designed for a shower type application. But I'll definitely look into it. I can buy one of those for about $200 and install it in less than an hour. Thanks for the suggestion.

-Mike
 
#11
You guys must have some fairly "girley man" style continuous water heaters if they are running out of hot water. I have one in my apartment that can power all the hot water heating system (ie radiators) in the house at an astounding temperature, have the dishwasher and washing machine on and still have a nice toasty shower. I have never had it run out of hot water with one long shower or even up to three consecutive showers. I can't remember the brand name, but its nothing special. Pretty much run of the mill for such a unit in London. They are much better than any tank system I have ever used.
 
#13
Bryan316 said:
Oh crap, $200 really??? Dude, I'm toooootally going shopping tonight! Crap, band practice. Tomorrow! Crap, gig. FRIDAY!
Click to expand...

Yeah bro, check it out online. We got ours from faucet.com. You can also scope them out at places like Home Depot and Lowes, but I think they cost a little more there.

I'm not so sure these units will work in a shower though. This is for sinks.

-Mike
 
#20
MJ5150 said:
Bernie.....thanks for the info, that was great. How are the Rinnai units as far as reliability? The unit I am looking at is the R75LSIN, which seems to be the middle of the road for their line. I would most likely buy the unit online, or at Home Depot/Lowes.

-Mike
Click to expand...

We haven't had any complaints. Nothing sticks out in my mind as far as someone having to work a lot with them or service them often.

As long as your bathrooms don't contain anything unusual like body sprays in the showers or whirlpool tubs, you should be fine. A two bathroom house is standard these days so no problems there.

Are the other fixtures just the two lav faucets in the bathrooms and your kitchen sink? Maybe a laundry tub in the basement?
 

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