Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Feb 23, 1999 09:00pm | #1

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   A good idea, but expensive. Gas demand water heaters do not come cheap. You won't need a very big one for your use, but nevertheless you are talking 5 or 6 hundred bucks.

   Check out Controlled Energy Corp's web site for information. They are a major importer and distributor. Real Goods is a convenient supplier (they, too,have a website), but you may be able to save a few bucks by buying from a local plumbing wholesale. Sorry, I don't have those web addresses handy, but a search will turn them up fast.

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   Guest_ | Feb 24, 1999 07:21am | #2

   *There was a thread on this subject in January. It is now archived in Breaktime Archives Vol 3. Either do a search for Tankless Water Heater or follow the Breaktime Archive link, then the Breaktime Archive, Vol 2 link, then the Breaktime Archive, Vol 3 link.Rich Beckman

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   Guest_ | Feb 24, 1999 08:10pm | #3

   *Bob,Five years ago I purchased a CRC 'Aquastar125' for our home and it works well, and saves us about $100/year on propane (family of 4). The smaller version (70?) should do for your application, it can even be used for a shower, if the kitchen faucet is not running.I got mine from Real Goods, (which is called Real EXPENSIVE Goods around here). I told the person taking the order that I wanted a price break as I was a contractor, she transferred me to another fellow that gave me 15% off after a minor discussion. This beat a local source by ~35% so I went with the mail order.The only concern with the tankless heaters, is that there can be residual water in the heat exchanger after draining that may damage them if they are frozen. I've never heard of this happening to a drained unit, but it is pointed out in the instructions (I think they mention that compressed air can be used to purge them of water.) Something to consider perhaps for a seasonal home.

1. 
   Guest_ | Feb 25, 1999 08:33am | #4

   *Hi Folks,Want to take a hot shower after three other people?No problem, as long as you have water, pressure, gas and a tankless water heater.Four years ago I installed the older, French-made Aquastar 125s model in my home. Three years ago I installed two of these in an un-insulated dance hall.Since being bought by Bosch, some improvements have been made, including simpler operation and fewer parts.The dance hall water system is drained between winter dances (any contra dancers out there?) and I have repaired the piping(and addded extra drain valves) after several hard freezes. No special efforts are taken for draining the heaters and they have had no freezing problems.These heaters sense the difference in pressure from the inlet and outlet sides to regulate the gas flow to the burner. The older model 125s require a minmum 3/4 gallon-per-minute going through them to come on.If system pressure falls much below 35PSI they can get confused and intermittently shut off.I noticed the newer model 125s only take 1/2 gallon to turn on and will thus have less of a problem with low pressure. We are on a well and keep a sediment filter ahead of the heater. We change the filter twice a year to minimize pressure loss.Get a spare pilot orifice. I had one clog after two years and good luck cleaning that ittybitty hole!Bob, I think Richard B. is right, the 80,000BTU model would probably do just fine for you and take even less water to turn on than the 125.Good health, Weogo

1. 
   Guest_ | Feb 25, 1999 08:56pm | #5

   *Weogo,It's good to hear that you too have had no problem with frozen heat exchangers. We heat with passive solar and wood - no backup, and have never had the house get below freezing while we were gone. (Air temps to -30F so far while we were gone, -40 when at home) We drain the pipes, but I always have the lingering thought about that heat exchanger....Sounds like you had frozen pipes that broke and were repaired, but that the heat exchanger survived in the dance hall?

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   Guest_ | Feb 26, 1999 08:43am | #6

   *Hi Richard,>Sounds like you had frozen pipes that broke and were >repaired, but that the heat exchanger survived in>the dance hall?Sorry I wasn't more clear.Yes, we had several frozen pipes, always at low spots so we added extra drain spigots at these points.The tankless hot water heaters have come through all these freezes with no problems.I think they drain quite well with maybe only a few drops of water left in them.Good health, Weogo

2. 
   troy61 | Mar 01, 1999 10:30pm | #7

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   Following this discussion, I am interested in opinions on using a tankless water heater (i.e. an Amtrol Hot Water Maker) on my 26 year old steam by oil system. I currently have a tankless coil that is pretty much shot and I need to do something. First option was to simple eliminate the coil and go directly to a hot water maker. However, a plumber evaluating this stated that these do not work well on steam systems and instead recommended putting in a new coil and adding a 40 gallon storage tank.

   What are everyone's thoughts on this?

1. 
   Jon | Mar 02, 1999 03:51am | #8

   *Microtherm in Houston makes the Seisco whole-house, on-demand tankless heater. It's electric, but the mfr. claims it uses less energy than electric or gas conventional heaters. Costs about $450. It's made entirely of advanced engineering polymers, so no corrosion or leaching problems. I'll be installing one within the next couple of months.

3. 
   Bob_Reilly | Mar 02, 1999 03:51am | #9

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   I am in contract on a lake house for use on weekends only, in Northern NJ. The current water heater (propane) needs replacement. I am considering a tankless water heater. I'll only be using hot water for kitchen (no dishwasher) and one bathroom. Is this a good idea? Thanks. Bob