Get Rid of Your Hot Water Tank?

Jay Taylor · 05-04-2005, 09:12 AM

Our hot water tank needs to be replaced and we’re considering getting rid of the tank and replacing it with an endless hot water system, such as a Rinnai.

We currently have a large whirlpool tub at the opposite end of the house from the hot water heater. It will only fill the tub one half way before there’s no more hot water. So three options we are considering is to go from a 40 gallon gas hot water heater to an 80-100 gallon commercial gas hot water heater, or get a 50 gallon quick recovery tank, or to eliminate the tank and get a Rinnai endless hot water system.

Do any of you have experience with a Rinnai or something similar?

Rinnai

Andrew Grall · 05-04-2005, 09:35 AM

I've heard of those kinds of units before...

How much do they cost?

Jay Taylor · 05-04-2005, 09:43 AM

Quote:

How much do they cost?

RobertR · 05-04-2005, 10:19 AM

This article made me decide not to get a tankless water heater:

http://www.askthebuilder.com/451_Tan...ng_Facts.shtml

Jay Taylor · 05-04-2005, 11:14 AM

Thanks for the link Robert.

Since I don’t have kids many of the arguments he raised against the tankless systems are not an issue at our home. I bet he’s right about exceeding flow capacity if you have a washing machine going while filling a tub in the winter when incoming water temperature is near 40 degrees.

My main goal is to be able to fill the whirlpool tub with hot water. We’ve ignored this “fun” tub and just used showers or other tubs for five years because our 40-gallon water tank will only fill it half way before the water goes cold. The tankless system seems like a workable solution.

I wonder if a quick recovery 50-gallon tank would fill the whirlpool tub with hot water?

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RobertR · 05-04-2005, 11:22 AM

Jay:

From what I understand, tankless heaters are sometimes used for a single application. If you dedicate one to your whirlpool tub, that might make the most sense. I would spend much less than $3000, though...more like $1000. I don't know if the quick recovery 50-gallon tank would do the job.

Dennis*G · 05-04-2005, 11:26 AM

Maybe install 2 50 gallon water heaters? I could be talking out my butt (I've done that many times) but maybe just have a second unit on reserve, maybe turn the gas onto it only on the weekends (or whatever day you may use the whirpool)

Jay Taylor · 05-04-2005, 01:11 PM

Quote:

From what I understand, tankless heaters are sometimes used for a single application.

Al.Anderson · 05-04-2005, 01:47 PM

Don't know if this is the same thing you're talking about or not; but I have a hot water heater system as part of my house heater. (Oil based / baseboard) I absolutely love it! I would pay extra to never have to go back to a hot water heater in any future house. There are four of us (two kids) and we've never run into a flow problem with competition from the clothes washer, etc.

Joe Szott · 05-04-2005, 02:23 PM

I would think that if the 40 gallon heater was good enough for everything except the 100 gallon tub, then putting in a 100 gallon heater would be a bit wasteful. After all, what if you drifted away from using the tub again and were then stuck with this massive heating tank?

Something to consider would be to split the difference. Get a 50 gallon tank for the home, then install a smaller electric heater just on the tub line. That way you could pull medium hot water from the cold/hot lines of your house and have the smaller electric heater pull that temp up to hot before it hits the tub. The 50 gallon tank lasts to 100 gallons since you aren't pulling as much hot water so quickly, and when not using the tub your heating bill won't be so inflated.

Just an idea, don't really know if that would work or not.