[Greenbuilding] old question revisited-tankless heater

[Kathy Cochran]

In my former garage, now turned into a studio, the hot water supply is a
Takagi Jr  -  the smallest one they make. I think it was about $600, but
they may have gone up.  It provides enough water for anything, one function
at a time.  I have NEVER had any problems with it.  The location is on the
other side of the wall from the sink and the shower, so it heats up
immediately, very satisfactorily.  Once I was able to move into the house, I
put a larger Takagi in, that presumably will allow 3 functions (dishwasher,
shower, washing machine) at the same time, but that was probably
unnecessary, in hindsight, because the dishwasher wants all the water
pressure available, and the washing machine only runs on cold water anyway,
99% of the time!  I can really tell the difference that longer pipes make  -
the water heater sits right below my kitchen window under the sink (outside)
and that is pretty "instant" but to get to the shower, it takes longer. 

 

I have just always wondered why it continues to fire even though the faucet
has been turned off - for at least a minute, it seems, although I have never
actually timed it.  Does anyone have any ideas about that?  

 

Kathy

San Andreas, California

 

From: greenbuilding-bounces at lists.bioenergylists.org
[mailto:greenbuilding-bounces at lists.bioenergylists.org] On Behalf Of Sacie
Lambertson
Sent: Tuesday, February 21, 2012 7:34 AM
To: Green Building
Subject: Re: [Greenbuilding] old question revisited-tankless heater

 

OK, OK re the time to get hot water comment, I erred in suggesting annoyance
with this.  It is an unintended side remark not relevant to my original
question which is to ask for a best solution for installing a new hot water
system in a cabin that will have one occupant.  This is not a remote
location; the plumbing is as deliberately compact as we could make it.  

I toy with the idea of a passive solar hot water system because the site is
highly suitable to this application, as is the main house, but cabin
installation would be much easier if a holding tank doesn't have to be too
large--ie it would fit in the shed in which the tankless now resides. 

Alternatively can you recommend an efficient tankless?  Electrically based
POS would I suspect be more expensive in the long run.  When we were living
in the cabin we used about $50 propane every 3 mos; this being used for
showers, basin, kitchen sink and cooking/2 people.  Think those 100# tanks
cost more now, but this is pretty inexpensive IMO.

Problem now is the larger Rinnai and Takigi cost upwards of $1000+ for a
tankless that supplies a high volume of hot water/min.  While very
interesting,  I have no experience with those lesser expensive small heaters
that supply around 4gal/minute with a temperature rise of 45 degrees.  In
the winter our cold water is very cold, so I think that rise is an important
#, so these small heaters, suitable for RVs and outdoor showers may not do
it for us.  Could you folks comment on these for regular indoor coordinated
one/two person use?

Thinking out loud here, I'm wondering if I might better go to the old
fashioned small usual tank heater and simply insulate it well?

Relevant comments/advice welcome.

Thanks,  Sacie





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