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Tankless Gas Water Heater - Exterior Mount

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Comments

  • ghostofuga1ghostofuga1 Posts: 9,176 mod
    edited July 2019


    That's a nice looking set up @destindawg1 Does Florida code require the intake and exhaust be separate for each unit or can you tie exhaust to exhaust and intake to intake?

  • ghostofuga1ghostofuga1 Posts: 9,176 mod


    I like the idea of the tankless model, but I too (at this point) prefer a standard tank. My water heater is 16 years old and still going strong. I'll probably replace it in the next year or so because I know 15 years is about the life of one built then and even shorter these days.

  • FirePlugDawgFirePlugDawg Posts: 5,480 ✭✭✭✭✭ Graduate


    Thanks Destin. That is a brand I saw as well. Will check that one out too. Can you share pricing for the unit? Or a "retail" estimate as I suspect your pricing would not be attainable for me. Plumbing and associated costs excluded. Thanks either way.

  • FirePlugDawgFirePlugDawg Posts: 5,480 ✭✭✭✭✭ Graduate
    edited July 2019


    For an AO Smith standard tank - not high efficiency - a contractor wants $2200 (<-NOTE CHANGE) (6 yr warranty) - $2500 (10 year warranty) for a 75 gallon. Included was replacing the vent stack - 2 story house from basement. [ I was quoted $1800- $1900 from another contractor for a lesser brand.] A contractor has advertised a 40 gallon AO Smith installed for $990

    @ghostofuga1 I was quoted $4500 for a tankless from the same contractor, but it is clear, it has no interest or experience in installing them. I'm making serious inquiries now, and will share what I find.

    Thanks all. Keep 'em coming.

  • ghostofuga1ghostofuga1 Posts: 9,176 mod


    I'm sure you will, but whatever brand you go with, make sure the installer is certified by that brand company to install that particular unit. These things are a lot more sophisticated than a tank and each one is different.

  • WCDawgWCDawg Posts: 17,293 ✭✭✭✭✭ Graduate

    FPD. I you're not wanting to shell out that much money and you want something with the most efficiency in a high use area like the bathroom where you shower and/or laundry room, it might to worth looking into small low cost units that can be installed near the use site. You can even buy one that installs under a sink in it's cabinet.

    Of course a whole home unit might suit your purpose better, but it's never a bad idea to weigh your options.

  • FirePlugDawgFirePlugDawg Posts: 5,480 ✭✭✭✭✭ Graduate


    I have natural gas, so to use a small electric somewhere doesn't work for me. Don't have an exotic situation. There is no reason a tankless wouldn't work. The issue is price, but then, the "kicks to price" ratio.

  • WCDawgWCDawg Posts: 17,293 ✭✭✭✭✭ Graduate
    edited July 2019

    FPD. the best small tankless heaters operate on gas. So it would just be a matter of running a bit of piping. An advantage is hot water would be instantaneous, no waiting for the unheated water to clear the lines.

    You could actually keep a regular tank type for some uses while adding 2 or 3 inexpensive small tankless units in high use areas. Again, I'm not concluding which options would be best for your situation, just making the point that there are other options than whole home units.

    Of course venting has to be considered with gas, unlike large units they can be vented horizontally with small vent fans and exit through walls or a crawl space, but that means extra labor. with lower temp areas like sinks electric might be the better option.

  • JackLatttyJackLattty Posts: 79 ✭✭✭ Junior

    I do HVAC and have dabbled in water heaters. Navien is what I would prefer and to me is best bang for your buck. Also, if at all possible I would put it inside. If outside you need to put heat tape on the lines, but even then they short out in a few years then lines bust.

  • moosmoos Posts: 1,910 ✭✭✭✭✭ Graduate

    I've had this brand in two different houses. I just moved in August, and my new home doesn't have these. It's probably the next item going in.

    Instant hot water in any faucet in the house, and we host OOT family for special events, and I never have to worry about it. If budget isn't an issue, highly recommend.

  • DawgTime92DawgTime92 Posts: 69 ✭✭✭ Junior

    I did plumbing warranty work for a couple of years. Call me old fashioned but I'm fan of a normal tank water heater. Really depends on size of house. How many things you run at same time. And pipe sizes under and throughout the house that matters the most when considering what type of water heater is the most efficient and affordable for you. Tankless does work great when they work. I hated having to go to a tankless call vs a tank. Normal water heater is really simple easy to fix repair vs a tankless. Pros and cons for each but like said before depends on your house and your hot water uses

  • FirePlugDawgFirePlugDawg Posts: 5,480 ✭✭✭✭✭ Graduate


    My situation was that I had a large tank WH for almost 20 years. The warranties on tank units are usually 8 years or less, so I figured I was using "house money" for the extra cost of a tankless. (See what I did there?) I also didn't like the quotes for the tank units and, big thing, I wanted a little sizzle for the money.

    The big surprise is how effortless (knock wood) the tankless has been. The interwebs is full of horror stories and cautions, but haven't seen them (yet, knock wood). Had luck in finding a good contractor, and that he was in fact good - never know for sure. He had put n many units - was an approved contractor for Rennai and Navien - but had no experience with a dedicated return line nor anti-scale water treatment - I wanted these. But went well. He read up on these and talked with Navien to confirm, so all is jake.

    I made a full effort to explore a replacement tank at first. Wanted this done in conjunction with other work. Shortening the story, was not happy with the bids or contractors. The Costco quote (designated contractor) for an AO Smith unit was high.

    As to cost, the labor was about equal to the cost of the unit (prices online), and it turns out, was the lowest of the several quotes I got.

  • SummDawgSummDawg Posts: 2 ✭ Freshman

    I can help you make a decision if needed. I own a plumbing company in Athens. I am a level 3 Rinnai and Navien installer. I don’t think I can advertise here, but you can google my last name followed by Athens, Ga. I’ll be happy to answer questions via email.

    Chris Summers

  • dawgdude65dawgdude65 Posts: 162 ✭✭✭ Junior

    I have had 2 different houses in the last 8 years and both have had Rinnai tankless water heaters. I have never had an issue with mine and both were mounted on the outside. I will never have another house with a tank in it. I had 2 houses before the last 2 that both had tanks that burst and caused water damage in the house. It was a fight with insurance to get it repaired. Tankless is the way to go and I know 3 plumbers personally who love Rinnai.

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