Wondering if anyone has a tankless water heater. Is it gas or electric? Do you notice a savings in your gas/electric bill? Do you have sufficient amount of hot water when needed? Our electric water heater is about 7.5 years old. It tripped for some reason today leaving us without hot water until my husband could get under the house to take a look. This prompted me to start researching in case we needed to replace it. Although it is working fine now, we should probably continue researching and saving some $ for the inevitable cost of a replacement since I've read the average life span is 10 years. <Also researching dishwashers if anyone wants to share comments on those. I do not need anything fancy but would appreciate it not sounding like a freight train is running through my kitchen ... like our current one >
One of the people who works for me went to a tankless propane system after their tank system croaked. They love it. The gas usage is not as high as it was prior to the switch but I do not know the exact savings on that aspect. The part they point out is the ability to choose the temperature of the water when it is used. They set the temperature they want for a shower and use only hot water. They have a small child so the temperature is always set to a safe level to prevent accidents unless there is a need such as washing dishes or something. Memebers of both families are looking to hange to that system once there is a need to make a switch. I am considering it myself when the time comes to replace my old water heater.
I did a lot of research about these tankless systems in 2002. Our water heater is propane and on the second floor so I was concerned about the leaking tanks, this was the second replacement since 1989. I ended up with another tank despite my concerns (we have a pan with drain). As I recall, there was an issue based on our demand. My uncle has one in a lakehouse and is also a plumbing supplier for the last hundred years or so(at least 35-40 years). He was the final decision maker for me. Told me it was wonderful in the lakehouse, but not for everyday usage due to the laundry, dishwasher, etc. I guess if you are a single empty nester it would probably be a good investment.
