Replies

1. 
   BossHog | Apr 26, 2002 08:17pm | #1

   Lots of discussions on these lately. Try searching on "instant" or "hot water".

   Redneck Extraordinaire

2. 
   nigelUsa | Apr 27, 2002 12:12am | #2

   Go for it! BUT follow the installation guide close. Flue size is very important. I love mine!! Hot water never ends!

1. 
   Wet_Head | May 12, 2002 02:08am | #4

   I have a serious question.  What are your qualifications for knowledge on this heater type?  I want to know where you are coming from.

   BTW, they ARE NOT FOR EVERYONE!  Nor do they work in every situation.  Get someone qualified to answer your question based on YOUR specific needs. 

   I could go on about the drawbacks but it is not politically acceptable here.  I just get sick and tired of everyone saying they are for everyone and everything.

1. 
   DavidThomas | May 15, 2002 01:57am | #5

   WHW:  Not everyone!  I don't think I've ever posted about on-demand water heaters without including a list of caveats and cautions.

   Former profession plumber, rocker, electronic tech; Chemical Engineering, UC Berkeley; Registered Engineer, Civil; 14 years cleaning up toxic waste sites; enthusiatic owner-builder, since you ask.

   David Thomas   Overlooking Cook Inlet in Kenai, Alaska

1. 
   Wet_Head | May 15, 2002 04:46am | #8

   You are the shining example of intelligent posting on this subject in my mind.  You are not just spouting a line because it's what you were told by some "greenie". 

   BTW, you hear about the new Viessman wallhung coming to the US?  Very cool!  Very energy efficient with extremely low emissions.

2. 
   nigelUsa | May 17, 2002 03:24am | #9

   I agree 100% these heaters are not for everyone. Just happens to work great in my setup. I changed from an electric water heater (40 gallon) installed by the "cheap as poss" builder and we always were running out of hot water. A larger heater was an option but they wanted huge price differance when I knew the price increase of the larger heater was only small. Our house is mainly showers, dishwasher, washing machine and once in a while the bath is filled. so its fine for  us. The shower after shower after shower with no time delays between is the best thing about it. If you were always filling the whirlpool tub then maybe a large standing unit would be best. I have read all I can find and asked many a question about these units before buying and using one. I can honestly say I have no regrets. In two years and never missed a beat.

1. 
   PurpleThumb | May 18, 2002 06:51pm | #10

   So, how hard are these heaters to drain--say, when I close down my cabin for the winter?

3. 
   sweetwater | Apr 27, 2002 08:20am | #3

   I've put a few in and people love them. They just think its cool that it doesn't take up the whole room and that they only come on when they're needed. Wish politicians were as good....

   Make sure you size the unit for demand required and vent properly and all other things will take care of themselves. They are built far better than most tank type water heaters.

4. 
   Stoutenburgh | May 15, 2002 03:19am | #6

   We find only one problem with ours.  Using a cheap one handle shower controll, it is difficult to get a warm or cool shower.  As the flow decreases the water gains more heat, so you adjust down again, until the flow gets so low that he heater shuts down.  Short term fix, turn the sink on hot to keep the flow going, then adjust the shower as you like.  Long term fix, install a two handle controll.  We are installing one in the house we are bulding now (owner/builder - retirement home).

   Clint

1. 
   DavidThomas | May 15, 2002 03:44am | #7

   Clint:  a traditional two-handled shower valve would fiw that problem (at least w/o a low-flow shower head), but may not be to code in your jurisdiction.  It may have to be one of the newer one-handled anti-scald units.

   David Thomas   Overlooking Cook Inlet in Kenai, Alaska