In-line water heaters.

[Triple]

Anyone use them?

I'm about to start a major plumbing overall in my cabin and I'm considering ditching the old tank-style water heater in favor of one or more in-line heaters.

They are supposed to be more efficient since they only heat the water as needed (instead of keeping a giant tank of water hot all the time), but I'm wondering how they'll handle the accumulating sediment of well water.

[derf]

I use it now and I love it, hot water on demand whenever you want it, and it never runs out. The only down side is that, at least in my house the master bath is on the complete opposite side of the house from the heater so that bathroom takes a minute to get hot water, I usually turn on the shower brush my teeth then jump in the shower. But the other full bath has hot water within 5 seconds, same with the kitchen, wash room, and half bath. I really think that the water pipes just travel all over the house and it takes a solid minute for how water.

But again, it never runs out. The most hot water I've used at one time was 4 showers 2 at the same time in 2 bathrooms followed by another 2, then 2 full baths at the same time. that was probably 300 gallons of hot water in 1/2 hour and it never did flinch.

My heater, even though its on city water has a catch cleanout that I can open up to clean out any gunk. The instructions say to do it every 4 months for well water, and every year for city water.

[Captain Morgan]

Thought about buying one when my water heater sprung a leak a few months ago, but decided to pass. Main reason was due to the reviews I read on the cheaper models. Didn't have the money to drop on the more expensive models. From what I understand, you need to make sure you have good water flow, but it depends on the model. Some won't work with less than 2.5gallons per minute, others work down to 1.5, but require 2.5 gal to get the heater started. Lots of complaints about the heater stopping because water flow reduced. Most of those complaints seemed to originate because of old plumbing. Also, as derf pointed out, proximity to the fixture being used has an effect. Not sure how big your cabin is, so that may not be an issue. Do some online searches on Lowe's, Home Depot, Menards, etc. and read the reviews of the units prior to making a purchase decision. Good luck.

[derf]

Thought about buying one when my water heater sprung a leak a few months ago, but decided to pass. Main reason was due to the reviews I read on the cheaper models. Didn't have the money to drop on the more expensive models. From what I understand, you need to make sure you have good water flow, but it depends on the model. Some won't work with less than 2.5gallons per minute, others work down to 1.5, but require 2.5 gal to get the heater started. Lots of complaints about the heater stopping because water flow reduced. Most of those complaints seemed to originate because of old plumbing. Also, as derf pointed out, proximity to the fixture being used has an effect. Not sure how big your cabin is, so that may not be an issue. Do some online searches on Lowe's, Home Depot, Menards, etc. and read the reviews of the units prior to making a purchase decision. Good luck.


Its only a problem in the first few minutes, and thats just getting out all the water that has been sitting in the pipes since the last time you used it. Once it runs for a minute its fine.

I also had the low water flow problem, but I have all low flow water efficient shower heads. I was a crazy problem because sometimes it would work fine, others it would switch to cold after a few minutes, and other time it would just be straight cold. Finally I realized that if the sink was running hot water the shower would pump hot water consistantly. Then someone mentioned that I probably have low flow shower heads, and sure enough change out the shower heads and poof, problem gone

[Papa_Complex]

Anyone use them?

I'm about to start a major plumbing overall in my cabin and I'm considering ditching the old tank-style water heater in favor of one or more in-line heaters.

They are supposed to be more efficient since they only heat the water as needed (instead of keeping a giant tank of water hot all the time), but I'm wondering how they'll handle the accumulating sediment of well water.

They aren't install and forget, like many people treat their old tank unit. You'll need an annual service, especially when dealing with hard water, and a filter system wouldn't be a bad idea.

[shmike]

They aren't install and forget, like many people treat their old tank unit. You'll need an annual service, especially when dealing with hard water, and a filter system wouldn't be a bad idea.

Yep.

Aquapython on here is on his 3rd or 4th unit in as many years due to crap clogging it up.

[tallywacker]

They are badass and save you money.

[Avatard]

Most units at full bore can only raise the temp 40 degrees. At less than "WOT", with the water moving through more slowly, it can get hotter.

In other words, potential max temperature is in inverse proportion to flow rate.

Or in yet other words; get the biggest fucking unit you can get, if you want the fucking shit to actually get fucking hot.

In the real world, running two "house sized" units in parallel can actually get you close to the performance of a tank heater.

One unit, unless the house is for a young couple, with only 1.5 baths, probably won't cut it.

[AquaPython]

yes i have had mine replaced a few times, but the problem has been figured out now, we hope. Florida water is very hard because of all the limestone, if you have any calcium in the water you need a prefilter, or it will sediment on the metal prong style thermometer, causing temp mis-reading, and making the computer shut it down for safety. I replumbed it to have a High quality "sand" prefilter that can be easily cleaned every three months. no problems thus far. I recommend tankless heaters for less energy bills, and also cleaner water. Tanks accumulate a Zoo of non-photosynthetic bacteria and fungus that you shower yourself with.

[Tmall]

I didn't read the replies..

I have one as a secondary unit in the summer. It's good for a nice steamy shower, but if I'm doing several things at once such as, laundry, shower, dishes it cannot keep up with the demand.

Also, if when you fluctuate or shut off the water pressure, you will get a blast of cold as they're not nearly as instaneous as I would like..

[Tmall]

They aren't install and forget, like many people treat their old tank unit. You'll need an annual service, especially when dealing with hard water, and a filter system wouldn't be a bad idea.

This as well, I can't get to the filter in mine. The previous owner must never have cleaned it, because the brass cover will NOT budge on mine. I have to cut the line coming into it, pull that piece out of the heater and replace it, and reinstall the supply line.

If you don't care about price so much, you can get an oil fired water heater. I had one in my previous house and I could not run out of hot water, I tried and failed.

[Papa_Complex]

I didn't read the replies..

I have one as a secondary unit in the summer. It's good for a nice steamy shower, but if I'm doing several things at once such as, laundry, shower, dishes it cannot keep up with the demand.

Also, if when you fluctuate or shut off the water pressure, you will get a blast of cold as they're not nearly as instaneous as I would like..

They're set to trigger at a minimum water pressure, so they cut off if there isn't a sufficient demand.

[Tmall]

They're set to trigger at a minimum water pressure, so they cut off if there isn't a sufficient demand.

But also, if you're running the hot, shut it off and turn it back on, there's going to be a slug of cold water in your hot water line before you get hot again.

[tallywacker]

But also, if you're running the hot, shut it off and turn it back on, there's going to be a slug of cold water in your hot water line before you get hot again.

You are going to have cold water in your line with a tank and tank-less. I guess you could go hardcore and put electric heater elements around your pipes.

[Tmall]

You are going to have cold water in your line with a tank and tank-less. I guess you could go hardcore and put electric heater elements around your pipes.

It's not complicated, why is it so hard to understand? If you shut the tap momentarily with an inline, the heater has to start heating again. And it's not instantaneous. If you do it with a normal water heater, you don't get the section of cold unless you give the water time to cool down in the pipes.

It's not a life changer, but if you're running an inline water heater and turn the faucet on and off, it's going to be cold for a few seconds. A bit of cold water does go by the heater before the heating elements heat back up to temperature.

[tallywacker]

It's not complicated, why is it so hard to understand? If you shut the tap momentarily with an inline, the heater has to start heating again. And it's not instantaneous. If you do it with a normal water heater, you don't get the section of cold unless you give the water time to cool down in the pipes.

It's not a life changer, but if you're running an inline water heater and turn the faucet on and off, it's going to be cold for a few seconds. A bit of cold water does go by the heater before the heating elements heat back up to temperature.

Not exactly, either heater will leave hot water in pipe AFTER the heater until it cools. What you said sounds like it gets cold instantly.

I know exactly what you are talking about, though it really isn't a big deal.

[Cutty72]

You are going to have cold water in your line with a tank and tank-less. I guess you could go hardcore and put electric heater elements around your pipes.

Or just have a recirculating system so you always have instant hot water. Only works with a tank system though.

[Adeptus_Minor]

What you said sounds like it gets cold instantly.


In Canadia, it does. :wink:

[anthonyk]

Not exactly, either heater will leave hot water in pipe AFTER the heater until it cools. What you said sounds like it gets cold instantly.

I know exactly what you are talking about, though it really isn't a big deal.

You guys are probably still talking about two different things. Even if there's hot water in the line downstream from a tankless heater, if you've let the elements cool down, you're gonna get a brief shot of cold water after that hot water goes through the faucet.

Not really an issue for my house, since even though I'm not in Canadia, my hot water lines seem to cool down in seconds.

[fasternyou929]

Not exactly, either heater will leave hot water in pipe AFTER the heater until it cools. What you said sounds like it gets cold instantly.

I know exactly what you are talking about, though it really isn't a big deal.

No, I don't think you do. You guys are talking about two different scenarios:

First time you turn on hot water after an extended period of non-use, you will get cold water until hot water reaches the faucet you've opened for both styles of water heater. Advantage: neither

If you have hot water at the faucet, turn it off momentarily,then turn it back on:

Inline heater - you will have a "section" of water that passes the instantaneous water heater while it's inactive, resulting in:
Hot Hot Hot Hot Cold Cold Cold Hot Hot Hot Hot.... in your hot water pipe.

Water tank - you would have a consistent stream of hot water in your hot water line and there wouldn't be any "surprise" coming your way in a few seconds.

[Tmall]

No, I don't think you do. You guys are talking about two different scenarios:

First time you turn on hot water after an extended period of non-use, you will get cold water until hot water reaches the faucet you've opened for both styles of water heater. Advantage: neither

If you have hot water at the faucet, turn it off momentarily,then turn it back on:

Inline heater - you will have a "section" of water that passes the instantaneous water heater while it's inactive, resulting in:
Hot Hot Hot Hot Cold Cold Cold Hot Hot Hot Hot.... in your hot water pipe.

Water tank - you would have a consistent stream of hot water in your hot water line and there wouldn't be any "surprise" coming your way in a few seconds.

Bingo, and that section doesn't turn cold, it was cold to begin with. It just hasn't been heated.

It's really not a huge issue, but some people don't like it. I used to turn the faucet on and off when I shaved, now I just pour the sink full of hot..

[AquaPython]

there is no surprise. the water is heated up by the copper plumbing, it will stay hot for 30-60 seconds, and be quicker to warm up than normal for a while after that.

[Gas Man]

I use it now and I love it, hot water on demand whenever you want it, and it never runs out. The only down side is that, at least in my house the master bath is on the complete opposite side of the house from the heater so that bathroom takes a minute to get hot water, I usually turn on the shower brush my teeth then jump in the shower. But the other full bath has hot water within 5 seconds, same with the kitchen, wash room, and half bath. I really think that the water pipes just travel all over the house and it takes a solid minute for how water.

But again, it never runs out. The most hot water I've used at one time was 4 showers 2 at the same time in 2 bathrooms followed by another 2, then 2 full baths at the same time. that was probably 300 gallons of hot water in 1/2 hour and it never did flinch.

My heater, even though its on city water has a catch cleanout that I can open up to clean out any gunk. The instructions say to do it every 4 months for well water, and every year for city water.


Bingo, and that section doesn't turn cold, it was cold to begin with. It just hasn't been heated.

It's really not a huge issue, but some people don't like it. I used to turn the faucet on and off when I shaved, now I just pour the sink full of hot..

Thanks tmall. I was going to say the same thing. The cold water flush has nothing to do with the type of hot water heater you have.

They aren't install and forget, like many people treat their old tank unit. You'll need an annual service, especially when dealing with hard water, and a filter system wouldn't be a bad idea.

But really the same stands to reason with a tank as well.

Other thing to consider, and this has been "fixed" recently" is that some models require stainless steel venting. Further, limited distances. So that can be issues.

[Porkchop]

We just had our "pressure and temperature valve" fail on our tank style last night. It left a giant lake in our basement before we could get a bucket under the overflow pipe. It kept dripping most of the evening until I faceplamed myself and realized I just needed to shut off the inflow pipe. It was just a $25 piece that made a big mess.

The tank is 17 yrs old though. Not bad for a first failure.... :idk:

[Papa_Complex]

Other thing to consider, and this has been "fixed" recently" is that some models require stainless steel venting. Further, limited distances. So that can be issues.

Perhaps, but a tank heater might function quite happily for ten or fifteen years, before failing. A tankless system might fail in a single year, without proper maintenance in such conditions.

[AquaPython]

except you can get lifetime warranties on the tankless heater.

[OneSickPsycho]

My question is... how real is the savings on the power bill? If I'm going to save $3 a month and the tank unit will last 15+ years, it's going to be hard to justify the price difference... I could give a fuck about 'going green' and I never run out of hot water as it is, but mine's going on 15 years old at this point so it's a purchase that's coming... probably sooner than later.

[Tmall]

My question is... how real is the savings on the power bill? If I'm going to save $3 a month and the tank unit will last 15+ years, it's going to be hard to justify the price difference... I could give a fuck about 'going green' and I never run out of hot water as it is, but mine's going on 15 years old at this point so it's a purchase that's coming... probably sooner than later.

The only reason I even have one in the house is because we have hot water baseboard heat. The boiler also heats my hot water. If I want ho twater in the summer, I have to run the boiler. I see a huge savings in the summer, and shut it down when I start to heat the house.

[fasternyou929]

If I want ho twater in the summer...

Ho twat, it's not just for Winter anymore! :boobs:

[Gas Man]

Perhaps, but a tank heater might function quite happily for ten or fifteen years, before failing. A tankless system might fail in a single year, without proper maintenance in such conditions.
True

[derf]

My question is... how real is the savings on the power bill? If I'm going to save $3 a month and the tank unit will last 15+ years, it's going to be hard to justify the price difference... I could give a fuck about 'going green' and I never run out of hot water as it is, but mine's going on 15 years old at this point so it's a purchase that's coming... probably sooner than later.

I'm figuring it saves $10 a month in gas. At a $120/year savings it will take 2-3 years for the one I have to pay for the difference between that and a comparable tank style water heater, and thats not including maintenance that it might need. The mid grade/mid priced tankless heaters are in the $7-800 range, while the mid grade/mid priced tank style water heaters are $5-600.

I totally agree with you, i could give a shit about being green, I dont even recycle, I just want to know what the real world $$$ savings are. But if you are going to replace your tank already it might be worth it, and it is a nice selling point if you will be selling a house soon. I would never go out and replace the water heater unless it needed replacing, the real world dollars are just not there. in fact the only reason I have one now is because teh house came with it, my rental house in NJ will be needing a new water heater in 5 years and I do expect to get a tank heater.

[OneSickPsycho]

I'm figuring it saves $10 a month in gas. At a $120/year savings it will take 2-3 years for the one I have to pay for the difference between that and a comparable tank style water heater, and thats not including maintenance that it might need. The mid grade/mid priced tankless heaters are in the $7-800 range, while the mid grade/mid priced tank style water heaters are $5-600.

I totally agree with you, i could give a shit about being green, I dont even recycle, I just want to know what the real world $$$ savings are. But if you are going to replace your tank already it might be worth it, and it is a nice selling point if you will be selling a house soon. I would never go out and replace the water heater unless it needed replacing, the real world dollars are just not there. in fact the only reason I have one now is because teh house came with it, my rental house in NJ will be needing a new water heater in 5 years and I do expect to get a tank heater.

Yeah, fuck your tennants and their power bill... I'm with you... Ours will probably start spewing boiling hot water into the air and all over everything in garage within the next couple years... maybe by then the prices will have come down a bit...