Customer follow-up:Are tankless water heaters worth the expense?

Charles S. Lehnert: We installed a propane fed one in our home over seven years ago. We have three full baths fed by our private well. The well water comes out at 54 degrees when running and the Tankless on-Demand Water Heater allows us to have three showers running simultaneously with no loss of hot water in any of the three showers. The only thing we’ve noticed is a slight drop in water pressure as the well pump gets maxed out if all three showers are on full force. We have no flow restricters on any of the showers.

We’d replace this unit with another in a heartbeat if it fails. We all shower in the early AM and it sits idle for the remainder of the day, unless needed for washing hands or dishes. We take long showers and treat it like a spa! Our water heater is set at 115 degrees and has never failed us. Our propane use has gone down by 15% since we only heat water when needed. The tanked water heater was always on and ready, but recovery was anemic.

When the power goes out, our Koehler Whole House generator kicks in and we have heat, water and lights. When we have had extended power outages (5–7 days) we have had our neighbors ask if they could come over to shower and get warm by the gas fireplace. We are always sure to have a nice big pot of hot soup on the stove during those times to warm their insides as well.

Charles S. Lehnert: 

That depends on how much it is worth to you. The two main reasons to get one is to save space and to have an endless supply of hot water. Do you frequently run out of hot water? Then it may be worth it to you. You will however only get about 3–4 gallons per minute so if you were doing several hot water tasks at the same time you may be disappointed. They are very expensive compared to a tank and you will need additional gas or electrical service. I have a 40 gallon water heater and a kid who takes really long showers and have never run out of hot water.

Brian Kelley: I had a nearly 17 year okd 40 gallon Amtrol Boilermate indirect fired (zone off my hw gas boiler) let go in 2019. I thought ok probably $1200 tops just to swap in a new one with my longtime heating guy. Got quoted $1700-$1800. That was high.

So I shopped. I found a young plumber and his team to put in the 200K btu Navien with recirculating tank option and 1” gas line upgrade for $3300. Then I had a Massave rebate of $500. Junker tank at $1800 orrrrr new tech at $2800??

That Amtrol or more specifically indirect 40 gallon tank is a pretty good idea. Very efficient overall. But the indirect offerings and probably Amtrol especially are idiosyncratic. They have smart controls that can bust just out of warranty, and it’s $300 minimum more with you replacing yourself.

And at closing in on $2000? Forget it. It was an easy decision. And I love the Navien tankless.

The Amtrol should not have made it to almost 17 years. That was exceptional. Probably just super low usage compared with other households.

I like that with regular descaling (much easier than changing an anode rod in a tank) the tankless I could see going at least 25 years without breaking a sweat.

No gd tank to rot and bust and wreak havoc.

Only thing worse than gushing water damage is a complete fire and burned down building.

Lewis Edge: 

Our tankless LP gas water heater can supply two showers, a dish washer and clothes washer simultaneously and continuously. It takes up considerably less space and uses less fuel than a tank-type heater. The heater’s electronic controls and ignition system require a small amount of electrical power for it to operate. Many tank-type gas water heaters don’t need electricity to operate. A good tankless water heater may more than pay for itself in fuel savings over its lifetime and can deliver hot water without running out. I would not consider an electric tankless water heater.

Davis Appleton:

Not to me. If they fail, or the electricity/gas goes out, you instantly lose hot water. With a tank, you at least have enough left to wash the shampoo out of your hair and soap off your body in the shower. (If you take baths, that’s not quite as much of an issue, since the bathtub basically serves as a warm water tank.)

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