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speede5 · 11-11-2009, 07:35 PM

I did a bit of research into these as we are in the midst of a massive reno. We are currently on electric. It is really debateable how much energy they save. If you are on gas already, and you throw an extra layer of insulation around your tank, it doesn't run very much when the water just sits. This is important because the impression is it is burning gas all the time and that really isin't the case. When the instantaneous ones light up they burn a lot more gas than your tank unit does. The BTU's are a lot higher and it is burning the whole time you are runnning the water, so the opinions in the field are that overall the gas consumption is not reason enough to switch. For me it doesn't make sense to turf a perfectly good water heater, pay a ton of cash to buy, install and plumb a tankless. I should at least wait till my unit calves, and even then it would be cheapest just to throw in another electric. I can't tell you how bad the power bill is due to our electric water heater cause I have three kids and no one ever turns off the lights or t.v.'s

. Anyway, it doesn't seem to me that it is a huge burden.

The only benefit I can see to the instantaneous water heaters is an endless supply of hot water. In our case it was definately a consideration as we have two adults and a teenager showering so there is a benefit. If you are doing this for the enviornment though, that is a detriment. I can envision my teenager having half hour showers, and that would waste water and gas.

Be very careful if you go instantaneous, make sure you size the unit properly for your house. Home Depot sells cheap ones but they are way undersized.
I don't know if this has been much help, but I will sum up with this. The cost of all these enviro consious upgrades is far and away from what you will spend on power/gas should you leave things the way they are. It's unfortunate but it's a fact. Solar power, windpower, new windows, insulation, are all money losers. While the comfort and looks of your home may improve, you not going to save any money in the long run. IMO you should make your decision based on what you want for performance 1st, enviro 2nd.

11-11-2009, 07:35 PM	#6
speede5 First Line Centre Join Date: Sep 2009 Exp:	I did a bit of research into these as we are in the midst of a massive reno. We are currently on electric. It is really debateable how much energy they save. If you are on gas already, and you throw an extra layer of insulation around your tank, it doesn't run very much when the water just sits. This is important because the impression is it is burning gas all the time and that really isin't the case. When the instantaneous ones light up they burn a lot more gas than your tank unit does. The BTU's are a lot higher and it is burning the whole time you are runnning the water, so the opinions in the field are that overall the gas consumption is not reason enough to switch. For me it doesn't make sense to turf a perfectly good water heater, pay a ton of cash to buy, install and plumb a tankless. I should at least wait till my unit calves, and even then it would be cheapest just to throw in another electric. I can't tell you how bad the power bill is due to our electric water heater cause I have three kids and no one ever turns off the lights or t.v.'s . Anyway, it doesn't seem to me that it is a huge burden. The only benefit I can see to the instantaneous water heaters is an endless supply of hot water. In our case it was definately a consideration as we have two adults and a teenager showering so there is a benefit. If you are doing this for the enviornment though, that is a detriment. I can envision my teenager having half hour showers, and that would waste water and gas. Be very careful if you go instantaneous, make sure you size the unit properly for your house. Home Depot sells cheap ones but they are way undersized. I don't know if this has been much help, but I will sum up with this. The cost of all these enviro consious upgrades is far and away from what you will spend on power/gas should you leave things the way they are. It's unfortunate but it's a fact. Solar power, windpower, new windows, insulation, are all money losers. While the comfort and looks of your home may improve, you not going to save any money in the long run. IMO you should make your decision based on what you want for performance 1st, enviro 2nd.