I'm using an LP gas 40 gallon tank type hot water heater & I think it has a slow leak. I could replace with on demand or tank & I can go with LP gas or electric. What are limitations of on demand for hot water flow? What are operating costs of electric or LP gas on demand or tank hot water heaters? Will a plumber work with electrical hookup turnkey or leave it to me? Any good plumbers in Eagle River,Lando, Conover, Phelps WI area?
Hot Water Heater?
- Thread starter whitedust
- Start date
are you sure you have a leak... my tank (gas) is in my workshop downstairs, i kept hearing a hissing type drip, thought the tank was leaking and was dripping on the lit burner...turns out - ice cold water entering the hot tank causing condensation on tank and dripping on burner....took a new tank to figure this out
goofy600
Well-known member
I've got a lp Bosch on demand in my camp so it's not used daily but I've had it 9 years so far with no problems. As for water flow it is truly as much hot water as you want, 4 to 5 showers in a row. Being its in my camp I don't have a wash machine or dishwasher so maybe someone else can comment more. I know with the whole lp problem this year people are thinking different about using gas but I still would want gas over electric( and I work for an electric company). Every electric hot water I've ever used takes forever to get hot water. When I have to replace my water heater at home I will look into the on demand also.
Whitedust; Our plumber explained when we built a building/ shop with in floor heat that ON DEMAND water heaters proper size/ capacity is very important to its life and service needs. These heaters very stingy on energy when sized right, and less servicing. Also to use brand that service parts are available. Was really surprised to the use of demand water heater as for the in floor heat system. His recommended gas over electricity.
polarisrider1
New member
Get a power vent LP. Love ours.
I have that now wanted something better just don't know what that is?
favoritos
Well-known member
We replaced a 40 gallon gas with a 29 gallon hybrid.(It has a smaller tank with a bigger burner.) This big burner is running at 60,000 BTUs. It works great with normal use like the washing and a couple of showers.
The utility consumption on the thing is pretty amazing. It is well insulated from the factory and does cost quite a bit less to run vs. the 40 gallon standard gas water heater.
You would need a bigger unit to run larger spa tubs. The heater can not keep up with running "hot water only" past the capacity of the holding tank. It does catch up fast but can not keep up to a constant flow.
I hope this helps.
The utility consumption on the thing is pretty amazing. It is well insulated from the factory and does cost quite a bit less to run vs. the 40 gallon standard gas water heater.
You would need a bigger unit to run larger spa tubs. The heater can not keep up with running "hot water only" past the capacity of the holding tank. It does catch up fast but can not keep up to a constant flow.
I hope this helps.
Pit Grunt
Member
If you have good water a tankless demand can go a long way. If the water is hard you will need a softner to keep the tankless from liming up. I would replace with what you have. I do not know how the water is in your area. Down here a tamkless can"t go for more than a year and not have to be delimed.
Tankless will cost 2X & have to punch another hole in log house for outside air supply so talking $3600 installed for on demand tankless...so no real ROI & not going that way. I have 2 quotes for LP gas 50 gallon water heaters power vents the Rheem will is $850 & the Bradford White is $1150 both warranty is 6 years parts no labor. Checking both out online they don't seem much different. Does anyone have anything good bad or ugly to say about either Rheem or Bradford White??? Extra $300 for what? If the Rheem is a dog then I will go the extra $300 for Bradford White. Any info is appreciated.
freezinbevr
New member
Tankless will cost 2X & have to punch another hole in log house for outside air supply so talking $3600 installed for on demand tankless...so no real ROI & not going that way. I have 2 quotes for LP gas 50 gallon water heaters power vents the Rheem will is $850 & the Bradford White is $1150 both warranty is 6 years parts no labor. Checking both out online they don't seem much different. Does anyone have anything good bad or ugly to say about either Rheem or Bradford White??? Extra $300 for what? If the Rheem is a dog then I will go the extra $300 for Bradford White. Any info is appreciated.
Whitedust,
Get the one you have parts most readily available to you. Whether that is the plumbers or the store you purchase from, check out the service parts on the shelf if they have any. The tankless price definately has NO ROI for the life expectancy of the units. We put both of those brands in and have no real major issues with either power vent unit. The warranty can be extended but it is not anything different than a different anode rod inserted if your water is hard.
Simple is good and the amount of cash spent to heat our domestic water is maybe $16 a month on Nat gas, so we keep it simple with as few moving parts as possible. The last thing I want to do is work on my own equipment after fixing all day long.
Hope it helps.
Brad