Quote:
Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed
It takes the same amount of energy to heat water to the same temperature, whether you do it slowly or quickly. On demand saves energy because you aren't losing heat through the insulation in the side of the tank 24 hours a day. It will easily save enough money to notice on your bill.
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The heat you lose from the tank is pretty minimal. I agree with you that if all things are equal you will see savings, but is it enough to offset what could easily be triple the cost? I doubt it. And I'm not trying to be a thorn, I love the idea and have almost put one in two homes. They just aren't the be all end all. I'm building a basement suite for a friend right now and we are debating putting one in there. It's going to be almost 3x the cost of a powervent 50 g tank. Your water heater is not the main consumer of gas in your house, even if conventional cost you $50 a month ( which is outrageous) if you save 50%, which is generous, it would be many years before you saw your roi. Plus the unit is way more complex, you fry one cct board and your done.
There's also annual maintenance. You can kill a unit pretty quick of you ignore it like most people do a tank.
All I'm really trying to say though is buy it cause you want endless hot water, not energy savings.
http://www.thestar.com/article/64313...eat-not-so-hot