Any Plumbers?

[jwtrapper]

I need a recommendation on a good tank style hot water heater. I would like a tank less but don't want to spend that much. My water heater now is on its last leg.

 

[DutchVDub]

just go tankless man, its the only way to go. I can't wait for my water heater to go on the fritz so i can replace it with a tankless.

 

[Frank Z]

I'm an HVAC guy but I do install water heaters since they are a gas fired appliance.

I install Rheem water heaters exclusively. Stick with the Rheem Pro series if you can.

http://www.rheem.com/product.aspx?id=DEEA6D7C-1F65-4678-801B-0294D6064957

 

[jwtrapper]

Thanks Frank I was going to PM you but wasn't for sure that water heaters fell under HVAC.

 

[riverfever]

Somebody call for a plumber?

 

[Fred]

My renter is happy with the tankless Frank installed in the cottage. Just remember that the temperature of the water at the input has a significant effect on the flow rate at specified temperature. Also, they will only boost the temp to 120 F, so you cannot compensate flow rate at the shower head by raising the temp of the heater.

 

[SteveT]

The thing with a tankless is you can't just swap one in for your tank heater in most cases. They vent differently, and the vent pipe can cost as much as the heater, if you don't relocate it to an outside wall (I tell people to use a buck an inch for estimating, and 40 buck per elbow). They also use about 4 times the gas in full fire mode, and your existing gas line may not accomodate that load.

They are continuous hot water...not instant, and not unlimited. Most units will throttle back the volume of water and maintain temperature at the setpoint.

If going tankless isn't practical, I like this unit for replacing a standard vent heater. As an EneryStar rated appliance, you'd probably get a rebate from your utility company.

Don't get me wrong, I sell a bunch of Rinnai's, and they are a great unit, in the right application. You just need to evaluate whether or not it's the right appliance for your application.

Steve

 

[Kittrell]

I know zero about water heaters. Except they they are usually an ugly white tank. That being said, whats the deal with this unit?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrGr8-g1cik

 

[SteveT]

Mmmmm....wet monkeys. Wonder how that smells.

Voltex

Heat pump technology, very efficient, but uber-slow to recover. That's why they have an 80 gallon capacity.

 

[Kittrell]

Whats more efficient, a hybrid, or tankless? There are obviously a lot of variables. So I'm more looking for a general, non application specific response. That won't mean much other than I'll feel like I know a little more about these things.

 

[jwtrapper]

This looks like a good unit effex but its a lot more than I was looking to spend. The rebate thing sucks, sure it says I get $200 back but then it has to be installed by a pro. That eats up more than its worth.

 

[Frank Z]

i've stopped working on AO Smith water heaters. Getting paid for warranty work was a hassle....and I did a bunch of warranty work on 'em.







That should tell you something.

 

[xj-grin]

AO smith is the number one seller... in China... that should tell you something.

 

[jwtrapper]

good to know

 

[DJManche]

Somebody call for a plumber?

Now there's a plumber making some money ...
300 dollar blue jeans ...

 

[jwtrapper]

Wouldn't have ever known that. Now ain't that some sh*t, he has on a pair of jeans worth about what I want to spend on a hot water heater. I would be lucky to have $300 worth of jeans and t-shirts in my closet.

 

[DJManche]

How I know ????

I'm married and I'll leave it at that ...

 

[jimgrms]

Wouldn't have ever known that. Now ain't that some sh*t, he has on a pair of jeans worth about what I want to spend on a hot water heater. I would be lucky to have $300 worth of jeans and t-shirts in my closet.

People throw loose change in his plumbers cleavage

 

[jwtrapper]

Needs a tramp stamp "Deposit Donations Here"

 

[DJManche]

Now that there brings a new meaning to dirty money ...:exclamati