Tankless Water Heater

[uncle sam]

I have a flip where they replace hw heating system and hw heater with a tankless water heater, GLA approximately 1,600sf, how will I know if this system will be adequate during winter months?

 

[Tim The Enchanter]

I have a flip where they replace hw heating system and hw heater with a tankless water heater, GLA approximately 1,600sf, how will I know if this system will be adequate during winter months?

I never even had the thought about these. I assume the plumber would install one adequate for the dwelling. Maybe make a comment to that effect. It's not really your job, is it? I just comment that water heater is tankless, does not need strapping ( for EQ safety).

 

[miktay]

We don't know if ANY system or components will function sufficiently.
You can always comment, and recommend a home inspection in your report.

 

[Mr Rex]

A tankless water heater has no volume limit if sized correctly, contrary to a tanked water heater that is limited by its storage capacity. Are tankless water heaters that new in your area? They have been common here over the past 15+ years.

 

[jay trotta]

Mr R - they've been here a while, just getting more popular, as the older water heaters need replacing; No volume limit is the key, and sale feature for plumbers.

 

[Mr Rex]

I just replaced my Mom's water heater with a hybrid Heat Pump Tank water heater. The little heat pump on top keeps the water hot unless there is extreme demand and then it acts like a typical tank water heater and the 2 resistance elements heat the water. Advertised as the most efficient water heater made, it is supposed to pay for itself in 2 years. It was $1300 plus tax, I installed it with the help of an uncle in a couple of hours including pulling a new wire from the panel to the water heater. The heat pump also acts as a dehumidifer when operating and located in her basement its a win win.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Rheem-P...Electric-Water-Heater-XE50T10HD50U1/303419574

 

[Renee Healion]

Here, Habitat puts those hybrid heat pumps in for domestic hot water in their new and rehabbed houses. They have been using them for several years and so have records showing their durability. (Energy savings are dependent on the practices and number of occupants, so the data is not super reliable to me.)

As for on-demand water heaters, I have seen them in many situations where they make sense. I can see them being a savings on power as well as water if they are smaller and located close to the fixture than big and located well away from fixtures. Most here are LP or NG-fired. For electric, one big heater is quite a load. Again, we have the second-highest electric rates on the mainland so that is a factor here.

 

[uncle sam]

I have a flip where they replace hw heating system and hw heater with a tankless water heater, GLA approximately 1,600sf, how will I know if this system will be adequate during winter months?

The question I have is that this tankless water heater sufficient to heat whole house (hwbb) and supply hot water for use washing, etc.)

 

[Renee Healion]

This is one really device for both purposes? I think it sounds like a cheap flipper move. I do not see them for heat in this region and can't believe it is suitable or sufficient for heat, especially for that size GLA. NJ & CT are the same climate region. Time to look for a permit see if any authority having jurisdiction approved it.

 

[Renee Healion]

Are you sure it is not a condensing boiler? Reason I ask is they are very small, can hang on a wall, vent through a wall. Super efficient, and smaller than you would expect.