[Bay Kid]

My natural gas heater is now 18 years old and my insurance company wants it replaced. I don't use much hot water, maybe once or twice a day, and I'm gone on and off for extended stays. Considering tankless. What are your thoughts?

[retiredguy123]

Why? It would cost more to purchase and install, and you may need to modify your electrical system. Another issue is that tank type water heaters are easy to repair and replace quickly by any plumber. But, if you have a problem with a tankless heater, some plumbers may not have the part in stock. When you lose hot water, you want it repaired as soon as possible. Also, tankless heaters need to be descaled every year or do.

[G.R.I.T.S.]

Originally Posted by Bay Kid

My natural gas heater is now 18 years old and my insurance company wants it replaced. I don't use much hot water, maybe once or twice a day, and I'm gone on and off for extended stays. Considering tankless. What are your thoughts?

Check with TECO about incentives to install a tankless water heater. About descaling, I did my own and several others…not rocket surgery.😁 We love ours.

[DARFAP]

Descale is easy. I knew of only gas versions of tankless, however. My area does not have natural gas.

[vintageogauge]

If you go tankless you will also gain badly needed closet space assuming that your water heater is in a closet in the garage.

[GpaVader]

We have tankless, the only issue I have is getting the hot water to the faucet. I suspect its more of a feed issue not a the heater. The wash tub in the garage gets hot water very quickly.

Pros and Cons - Not sure it's any more difficult to replace or repair, its smaller and you don't have to worry about the tank leaking. If you are switching over and your old system didn't have an electrical ignitor you will need a circuit for that. Even a tank water heater has maintenance. We had them back home if you didn't flush them annually, they would only last about 8 years.

[kkingston57]

Originally Posted by Bay Kid

My natural gas heater is now 18 years old and my insurance company wants it replaced. I don't use much hot water, maybe once or twice a day, and I'm gone on and off for extended stays. Considering tankless. What are your thoughts?

I did a lot of research on your ? when I had to buy a new heater. Tank less has more expensive up front cost. Was told that electric tankless was not a good idea(almost impossible to re coup costs) Since you already have gas I, personally, would put in a tankless gas heater.

Do not know size of your garage and need for garage space. Tankless can create more storage area in the garage. Have never seen smaller two car garages in my entire life.

[RICH1]

Will you outlive the next water heater? The added expense of a Tankless water heater may not be worth it…

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by RICH1

Will you outlive the next water heater? The added expense of a Tankless water heater may not be worth it…

Adding our expected longevity to calculations does change how we decide to do things.

[Chi-Town]

Replaced my gas 50 gl gas hot water heater with another recently.
Peace of mind and a decent rebate from TECO. Plenty of room in the garage, so space was not an issue. Kiley & Sons did a great job.

[vintageogauge]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

Adding our expected longevity to calculations does change how we decide to do things.

The only thing I would hesitate buying at my age is a puppy as I wouldn't want it to have to find a new home later in life. My dog communicates very well and no one else would understand him. I would not hesitate buying a new water heater as I can always use more space in my garage closet.

[Topspinmo]

So, no one has cost comparison. I would think but don’t know? tankless probably very expensive when compared to just replacement? I prefer electric water heaters myself, but my house here has no 220V at water heater. At my last location on well water water heater lasted maybe 8 years if was lucky. I alway brought the 12 years warranty ones that way I got free replacement.

[IndianaJones]

Originally Posted by Bay Kid

My natural gas heater is now 18 years old and my insurance company wants it replaced. I don't use much hot water, maybe once or twice a day, and I'm gone on and off for extended stays. Considering tankless. What are your thoughts?

Tankless was around $1400; a standard 40-gal water heater was nearly half that. We went ahead and bought the tankless, and have regretted it - I guess we're saving a bit in natural gas, but it takes FOREVER to get hot water to the shower/tub/sink. I'm serious - we run nd run and run the water and it takes a ton of time to get hot. What a waste of water. Yes, it gives infinite hot water, but we've NEVER NEEDED THAT - the 40-gal water heater was fine. Given it to do over - would have gone with the regular hot water heater.

[rjm1cc]

Originally Posted by IndianaJones

Tankless was around $1400; a standard 40-gal water heater was nearly half that. We went ahead and bought the tankless, and have regretted it - I guess we're saving a bit in natural gas, but it takes FOREVER to get hot water to the shower/tub/sink. I'm serious - we run nd run and run the water and it takes a ton of time to get hot. What a waste of water. Yes, it gives infinite hot water, but we've NEVER NEEDED THAT - the 40-gal water heater was fine. Given it to do over - would have gone with the regular hot water heater.

You can add a circulating pump Sorry! Something went wrong! to a hot water tank. Not a tankless. The pump use the cold water return. This might be of interest to someone

[keepsake]

A tank water heater gives you a good deal of hot water if the power goes out. Forget running a tankless on a generator.