Keeping things simple... usually works best.
Going GREEN with today's Tankless heaters reminds me very much of my "solar water heater " days. It sounds like the same "tall tales", the same "fuzzy math" on saveings, and the same tax credits to entice you into buying one.
l really love trees too, but folks, you are not going to save the planet by installing a tankless water heater., it would be much wiser to take that money and double up the insualtion throughout your home...
We can debate this topic until doomsday, but it is not going to change my mind until someone shows me hard facts and real numbers.......
I finally have some real numbers from consumer reports,,, Oct 08.
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/appliances/heating-cooling-and-air/water-heaters/tankless-water-heaters/overview/tankless-water-heaters-ov.htm
Comparing Fuel Costs
To estimate your water-heating bill, locate the price you pay for gas, electricity or propane on the charts below: (Based on general energy prices)
| Natural Gas |
Propane |
Electricity |
| Price per therm |
Yearly Cost |
Price per gallon |
Yearly Cost |
Price per kilowatt-hour |
Yearly Cost |
| $0.50 |
$136 |
$0.95 |
$283 |
$0.08 |
$390 |
| $0.60 |
$163 |
$1.05 |
$313 |
$0.10 |
$488 |
| $0.70 |
$190 |
$1.15 |
$343 |
$0.12 |
$585 |
http://www.aceee.org/consumerguide/waterheating.htm
In INDIANA , with our BITTER COLD -- ROCK HARD -- LIME --IRON -- MINERAL infested water, they CANNOT MAINTAIN the amount of hot water that you are used to over the long haul.
1. Odds are, you will never come close to break even. Even if you were to live in your home till the day they carry you out on a stretcher, you probably still wont be at break even! 
They cost about 5 times more for a "top of the line" good unit plus install costs. average about $4500
http://www.aceee.org/consumerguide/topwater.htm
http://www.contractorreferralservice.com/CRS/textonly/TanklessWH.html
http://wantasub1.stores.yahoo.net/tawahe.html
2. Finding a good repair man for a tankless heater could be difficult. Finding the repair parts asap could also be trouble .
http://www.my3cents.com/showReview.cgi?id=48140
If its going to be a week for parts to arrive or the next appointment for the only good service man in 50 miles is next Friday, you are sunk....sunk...sunk
3. READ THE FINE PRINT BEFORE YOU BUY ONE--- every brand states in their very fine print...
The heating coil should be flushed out with a de-scaling solution and cleaned "periodically " by a qualified service tech to maintain good performance, if the heating coil limes up due to hard water, this VOIDS the warranty!!!
Before you buy one, ask what it will cost to clean the heating coil in your tankless water heater and how often should it be done??
Ask what will happen to your hot water FLOW RATE if the tankless unit is not de-limed "periodically".
How often does " periodically" really mean??
Will you attempt to "de-lime" your tankless unit yourself once, or twice per year??
Does $125 --$150 per trip 2+ times a year to de-lime your tankless heater sound very economical??
Remember to factor in this "de-liming service" into that big energy savings!!
http://www.complaints.com/2007/march/1/Bosch_Aquastar_240_FX_tankless_water_heater_18190.htm
http://www.complaints.com/directory/2006/june/14/26.htm
4. Will you be able to run more than one shower at the same time. Can it handle that or will you have to modify your life-style and take turns in the bath to accomidate the tankless unit??
Also, on many brands their is a water filter that needs changed out "periodically". Who pays for this?
5. In INDIANA you MUST have a water softener to get lime out of the water. You MUST maintain very low hardness level of your water. Under 11 parts hard is best ...Indpls city water is presently rated at 20 - 26 parts hard.
http://www.complaints.com/directory/2006/june/14/26.htm
http://www.handymanclub.com/DIY/Library/Products,_Tools_Tool_Use/Appliances/An_Endless_Hot_Shower.asp----------------------------------------------------------------------
Here are more " hard numbers"
Jan. 05 Bradford White conducted extensive studies Read this article, it appears that the actual savings with a tankless heater is less than nominal. .
the BOSCH BRAND has a very poor rating...
