It’s barely more energy efficient. Like, negligible. |
BS https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/tankless-or-demand-type-water-heaters#:~:text=For%20homes%20that%20use%2041,around%2086%20gallons%20per%20day. They are at a minimum 10% more efficient to as much as 40% efficient. |
| Look into Rinnai. They are a solid brand of tankless. I got the top of the line one installed in my 3 level rowhouse and it’s been great. My only (minor) complaint is it takes longer to get hot water up to the top floor. But once it’s hot you never run out. I’m saving a ton on my electric bill changing from a tank electric to tankless gas. |
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We bought a 75 gallon tank from Lowes and they delivered it the next day. We then called around and found a plumber to install for $1K - we should have bought an expansion tank but the plumber provided one.
Not all homes can do tankless. It depends on where they can vent it out of. We could not realistically do it. |
The text you quoted:
86 gallons per day isn't a lot for a family. |
If you really want to save energy, get a low-flow shower head. Check out the High Sierra 1.25 gpm, uses half as much water as a standard shower head and gives a very nice shower. |
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We installed a 75 gallon Rheem hot water heater to replace the old 50 gallon in 2022 for $3500 all inclusive.
Now we are adding a electric tankless to the masterbath to primarily serve a 88 gallon free standing tub. Apparently 75 gallon heater can only provide about 40 gallon of real hot water. |
| We paid $2900 for a 50 gallon last fall. That price included labor. We are in a further out MoCo suburb. |
| The tankless ones do poorly in areas with hard water or high mineral count. |
| Paid $1890 installed (this week) for a 50 gallon Rheem with 12 year warranty. Purchased from Home Depot installed by one of their recommended installers. |
But 14% is. |
I went back and checked….we actually only paid $2490 total. |
| Just a friendly PSA- Replacing the anode rod every 5 yrs in your hot water heater will basically double its life expectancy. You can usually order the rods on Amazon and it's really easy to replace. |
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If you're handy, or willing to do your own work, there are deals out there.
A few years ago, I knew mine was long in the tooth and needed to be replaced sooner rather than later(it was 20+ years old and the w/ original annode). So, kept an eye out on craigslist for not too old used one. I was able to find the an exact drop-in replacement that was only 3 years old and they were only asking $75 for it(50 gal Rheem gas), -- this was a house that was just bought in Bethesda and although the previous owner had just replaced it, the new owner was doing and extensive renovation/expansion to the house and just wanted it gone. I already had a torch and solder so just needed new valves and some copper pipe and and a new gas line to complete the job. Since is was an identical unit, everything was straightforward w/ no new duct work or adjustments to the lines, etc necessary. Here's a 50 gal, new "bought by mistake", asking $550 : https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/app/d/washington-rheem-gas-hot-water-heater/7580355051.html I'd offer $300 |
Nope. We don’t normally have 2 people showering at once (different schedules), but definitely fine with 1 person showering + dishwasher + washing machine. |