Replies

1. 
   Piffin | Nov 13, 2002 09:03am | #1

   My plumbers refuse to install those tankless things because of that. Limescale or other mineral builds up in the lines. The callbacks are a nightmare for them.

   .

   Excellence is its own reward!

   "The first rule is to keep an untroubled spirit. The second is to look things in the face and know them for what they are." --Marcus Aurelius

1. 
   toolin63 | Nov 13, 2002 08:17pm | #2

   Ive always thought that about them seems like a great idea but..... Also is it really non stop hot water?

1. 
   booch | Nov 13, 2002 08:53pm | #3

   More or less. Benefit is obvious in terms of continuous flow. Downside is that there is a turn on point that works based on the flow. Electrical service is horrendously large 150+ amps @240 for a small whole house unit. Gas would be the only way to go.

   If there isn't enough flow it doesn't turn on. Want to wash your face at 1AM? you have to turn it up to nearly 1 gal per minute to get it to light. You also have to size it for how many appliances you run at one time plus consider the temperature differential from incoming to outgoing water temp.

   Simply, it is complicated. Above we hear the buildup of scale in the heating unit is a problem too. My plumber railed against it for 10 minutes. Next hot water tank, maybe it will improve enough to swing me. I'm sure there are applications where it is the greatest, but you need to measure the pros & cons. If you go to the websites for Aquastar or Bosch you'll get the drift.

   "The time has come," the Walrus said, "To talk of many things: Of shoes--and ships-- and sealing wax--Of cabbages-- and kings, and why the sea is boiling hot-- and whether pigs have wings"

2. 
   GClancy | Nov 14, 2002 12:03am | #4

   Must confess, I don't know nuttin' 'bout limescale or mineral buildup,..  But I do LOVE my Aquastar tankless.  Nothing would get me to go back to the big-old-glass-lined steel tank monstrousity with a operating life of 5 years nonsense again.

   GC

1. 
   stonefever | Nov 14, 2002 02:49am | #5

   I love my tankless heater also.

   Piffin has simply been spending too much time with Wet Head.

1. 
   Schepp2 | Nov 14, 2002 08:44am | #6

   It works great! It pobably has cut my propane by 30% or more. Continuos hot water for (4) woman and myself.You have to arrange the showers or share the water, but that was worked out, too. Any response on the dropping pressure? Is it a build-up and how can it be cured?

1. 
   stonefever | Nov 14, 2002 11:39am | #7

   For what it's worth coming from me...

   I would dare to guess that it is not a mineral scale buildup.  You'll have to disassemble the pipes at the connection union to verify.

   Some time ago, in another house long, long ago, I too had a reduction in pressure issue for the lines feeding my water source heat pumps.  What the issue is founded upon is well water.

   Of course, the mineral scale would come from such a beast, but also other things.  I found that upon disassembly of my pipes, the lumen of them was almost closed by a slimey gelatinous rusty gook.  After completely drying, the gook reduced its volume to only a film on the pipe's inside.  But when wet, it about plugged the lines.  After further research, it was found that a bacteria in the deep well water was producing this mucopolysaccaride (slime) and collecting the rust also found in the hard water.  Caused a real hassle with the heat pumps, but that's another thread.

   I assume you too are on a well because of your mention of propane.  Try that pipe disassembly for verification.  If it's not the case, the union can easily be reassembled.  If your problem is like mine, having your well man (gotta keep those boys on retainer) drop a few sodium hypochlorite (bleach) tablets in the well after the pump has been pulled could solve the problem - temporarily.

2. 
   Piffin | Nov 14, 2002 02:00pm | #8

   We need to hear more about these four women and what size shower it takes to accomodate all of them with you.

   ;).

   Excellence is its own reward!

   "The first rule is to keep an untroubled spirit. The second is to look things in the face and know them for what they are." --Marcus Aurelius