I'm part of a large family of nine living in a 4,200 square foot house with three full bathrooms. With two washers and dryers, we do an insane amount of laundry! Currently, our water heater seems to be on its last legs, so we've started talking about replacing it with a tankless one. We often run out of hot water during showers, which makes me think that a tankless heater could be a great solution for us. However, I'm concerned about whether these heaters really are as energy-efficient as they say, especially since we're on well water. We're also installing a sediment filtration system this summer. Will this system help if we opt for a tankless heater? I'd love to hear what people think are the pros and cons of making this switch!
3 Answers
I've had a natural gas tankless heater running off my well for about 15 years, and apart from the occasional cleaning, it's been a dream! The endless hot water is fantastic, plus you save on heating a massive tank. The key is to keep your vent area clear and do regular maintenance. Just a tip, location matters as colder climates can make them a bit less efficient.
I agree! It sounds like with regular upkeep, a tankless system could be a game changer.
Before making a decision, it’s important to know what type of water heater you currently have and its size. If you're considering a gas-fired tankless, you won't need a lot of power since they have lower energy demands. I have mine plugged into a small UPS to keep hot water flowing during outages. If you're on a well and maintain your water softener and sediment filter, a tankless system should work just fine; just remember to descale it annually with vinegar!
When I looked into tankless systems, I found out about the venting regulations. Unlike traditional systems where gas can vent through a chimney, tankless requires specific venting solutions. Make sure to plan for that and find a suitable spot away from windows or walkways. This can be a dealbreaker if your house doesn't have the right setup!
That's awesome to hear! It seems like maintenance is crucial, but the payoff with endless hot water is huge, especially for larger families.