Hot Water Heater

[Brick]

I had a repair guy in the other day to inspect my AC system and he glanced at my gas hot water heater and mentioned that I might need to consider replacing it. It's about 15 yrs old, give or take. Since it's not broke yet I've got time to do some shopping and stuff. I keep hearing about these tankless hot water heaters and have been thinking about upgrading to one of those from my current system. The first thing I'm noticing is that they are significantly more expensive. I'm curious if anyone else has upgraded or looked into it. My quesiton I guess is is it really worth that expense?

[Hootmon]

Why would you want to heat hot water? Its already hot... :heh

Seriously, the tankless models heat water on-demand, so they can be much more energy efficient depending on your hot water usage patterns and the type/duration of your winter heating needs.

The warmer the climate you live in, the more practical they become, since you arent running a furnace already half the year.

[Faline]

Glad to hear you say your water heater is 15 years old and still going. Mine is 12 and I was beginning to worry!

I had a repair guy in the other day to inspect my AC system and he glanced at my gas hot water heater and mentioned that I might need to consider replacing it. It's about 15 yrs old, give or take. Since it's not broke yet I've got time to do some shopping and stuff. I keep hearing about these tankless hot water heaters and have been thinking about upgrading to one of those from my current system. The first thing I'm noticing is that they are significantly more expensive. I'm curious if anyone else has upgraded or looked into it. My quesiton I guess is is it really worth that expense?

[Brick]

Why would you want to heat hot water? Its already hot... :heh

Seriously, the tankless models heat water on-demand, so they can be much more energy efficient depending on your hot water usage patterns and the type/duration of your winter heating needs.

The warmer the climate you live in, the more practical they become, since you arent running a furnace already half the year.

I'm in Dallas, so during August both taps are hot.

My gas bill runs about $14 in the summer cause only my heater and Hot Water Heater are gas so at that rate it will take a few years for the tankless to pay for itself.

[HiHopes]

"Why would you want to heat hot water? Its already hot..."
I had an eccentric mechanical professor in Architecture college who authored the textbook we used for the course. First day of class, First thing he said- "In this course I do not want to hear anyone say, 'hot water heater'. You do not heat 'hot' water,... it's a 'water heater'..."

[IAm_Resolved804]

XD I'm sorry for the short post. But I love that. My dad's a pun maniac, and I'm sure he'll appreciate it.

[Dorothy Friend]

We use mostly solar heating for water.

[antitox]

I got one for a couple of hundred and replaced the old one because it started leaking. Corrosion does that eventually. The important thing is to use fittings that are the same metal type. Different metallic substances can cause alot of corrosive reaction. That happened with the heater I had originally. Keep a close eye on your existing one and if you notice any corrosion starting on the sides or bottom, replace asap before you have a water leak.

[jeshurun]

It might help you make up your mind:idunno[YOU TUBE VIDEO]JmJoyuUJj2Q[/YOU TUBE VIDEO]

[Clutch Cargo]

When my water heater bites the dust, I'm going to replace it with a tankless. Not for energy savings, but rather for the floorspace I'll gain. Someplace else to put the bandsaw. :heh