Tankless water heaters

I've heard a little about these type of apparatus and have been meaning to research them some more. I initiallt heard about them on a home improvement tv show and remembering it stating that they have limited gallon per minute heating capabilities and that a larger home may need to install multiple units as the consumption needs may be higher. I feel that if these units truly contribute to energy savings in the long run and help the environment, they will become a standard in new homes.

I know I just heard about this too. I would love to have one I think its a great idea. cant wait till we start seeing them in my area.

Yes, we I've got that sort, unfortunately I've never used any other sort so I've got nothing to compare it with. It is a very good idea though, it just heats the water when you put the hot tap on and that's it.

Ooooh, I can't wait to show hubby! Thanks so much for starting this discussion and providing the link. Heating hot water is one the largest chunks of one's electric bill. It only makes sense that not keeping that large tank of water hot and ready at all times is an energy glutton! Thanks to the poster's who gave us their personal experiences with the tankless heaters as well, your infomration is exactly what my husband will be asking when I mention this to him! Now lets see, on what can I spend that money we save on the electric bill.....can anyone say shoes? Jewelry? Chocolate? Just kidding!

I do not have one but my neighbor investigated this -- apparently it does save quite a bit on heating costs, but the initial expense and hookup proved to be a bit too much for them to spend upfront -- the savings take years to actually tip the scale the otherway (figuring what it cost to hook up). Wish I could help more but that's all the info I really know on it.

Blueskies, I just wanted to commend you for opening this meaningful and proactive discussion! These are exactly the kinds of discussions which we all need to be talking about - things which brings about responsible and practical change for the sake of reducing CO2 emissions! It is a blessing to be friends with the likes of you! Thank you again and please continue to enlighten everyone! Knowledge is power and the key to positive change! -InspirationStation P.S. no experience with this kind of water heater, but I now know about it thanks to you!

I used to have one of those heaters, it was excellent. I think we reclaimed the cost of buying it and having it installed in about two years in energy saving. We moved to a different house and so far have not had enough money to get another heater but I will as soon as I can.

I have heard about them but I don't see how they can heat water that fast. I think the over all savings would cover the first purcase price. I know my water heater comes on every once in awhile and I just cringe because I know that will make the gas bill go up. If they work the way they say they do I think they would be a good thing to have.

My dad had one in his home for awhile until he moved and he really liked it. it was great having instant hot water that didn't run out.

I have one and I am very happy about. I have endless hot water and my gas bills are cut in half. It also save space and avoid energy waste. You can have $300 tax credit for it. I get one from Home Depot and I paid $700 for it. Make sure you buy German or Italian made, because they are leaders in waterless heaters.

We looked into these and would have loved to have one since we are in a trailer. They do heat the water as they are used and can save money even though the upfront cost is a bit high. You recoup the dollars in energy savings since you don't have the tank sitting heated or heating all day. Like our solar and wind power it is the cost you save over a period of time after the purchase. If you can get one I am totally glad for you!!

I have one of these types of water heaters as part of my central heating system, hot water is almost instant, and don't store any hot water at all. Can't use too many hot taps at the same time though as the total amount of hot water at any time is governed by the amount of heat needed for the heater. Much cheaper to run as you don't have to store hot water in a tank which may not be used and then cool down.

I think that would be great because I use use me microwave to heat water to wash the dishes not only do I have to wait until my water heater gets hot enough I have to waste the cold water going down the drain until the hot comes through.

I think I will get on of the tankless water heaters in my next home. They are a bit more expensive in the begining but they save on your monthly bill, you always have hot water and they are better for the environment. I think it will be great when we are out of town too beacuse it wont keep water warm while we are gone.

I wondered about these because I like to take a very long shower. I wonder if you would run out of hot water? It is heats as you go does that mean that you would not run out. That might not be a good thing for me because I usually stay in the shower until the hot water is gone. I might never get out.

I couldn't seen to get the info on the water heater when I went to the site. I don't know if it is because it wants me to join first. How does this water heater work to heat the water up as it is being used. That sounds pretty awesome! How much does one cost? I wonder if it would make that much of a difference when I have a household of 9 and am always doing dishes. LOL If you have a more direct link, I would appreciate it. I guess I will see if there is such a thing at out local Lowe's or Home Depot. Thanks for the info!

I've never been one for turning on my immersion heater (tanked hot water) .. for the few times a day I need hot water I can't justify paying to have a full tank of hot water running away with my money each and every day .. In the kitchen my washing machine is used on cool settings (other than bedding which has to be on 60C to kill off bed mites .. and don't say ewww like that .. we all have them however clean we are) and only heats up the exact amount of water it needs to do the job .. same thing with my dishwasher .. I use any left over water in the kettle for swishing around the sink or floor washing ... and in the bathroom I made sure I had an extra long hose fitted to my 'instant electric' shower so that it reaches the basin .. so I have all the hot water I need for the least expense ... I once measured off the amount of water I needed to draw before the hot water ran in the bathroom taps .. 2.5 gallons of water !! .. so every time I'd run the tap for just a swish of hot water to wash my hands I'd be wasting 2.5 gallons of water and refilling the tank with 2.5 gllons of cold water .. 2.5 gallons that would need to be heated .. and that's a pretty expensive way to wash your hands ..

Ours is not exactly like that, but it does put itself on standby. The first person to shower does not have the hottest water, but it's still ok. If we are gone, standby goes to a holiday setting and there's not hot water untill you run it again. Even if the savings are not astronomical it's still better envoromentally.

No I have not seen or heard of them..I tried to find teh article about it and couldn't ..it does sound like the ticket though ...hot water heaters are such a wste of energy ...

I have had one in the past and they are great. You don't have to restrict yourself to baths when the water is hot you can have one whenever you want and you can use a shower off the taps instead of having the have an electric one. They are certainly worth getting just for the environmental cost.