TMC is an independent, primarily volunteer organization that relies on ad revenue to cover its operating costs. Please consider whitelisting TMC on your ad blocker and becoming a Supporting Member. For more info: Support TMC
  1. TMC is currently READ ONLY.
    Click here for more info.

Tankless water heaters are terrible....

Discussion in 'Energy, Environment, and Policy' started by nwdiver, May 1, 2017.

  1. mspohr

    mspohr Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 27, 2014
    Messages:
    8,943
    Location:
    California
    There's a pressure relief valve and pipe. I just ran the condensate to that pipe
     
    • Like x 1
  2. brkaus

    brkaus Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 8, 2014
    Messages:
    7,626
    Location:
    Austin, TX
    Depending on jurisdiction that isn’t always legal.

    can one get the 15a version anywhere for DIY? Or only pro?
     
  3. arnolddeleon

    arnolddeleon Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Jul 21, 2012
    Messages:
    637
    Location:
    SF Bay Area
    I suspect that technically that is not allowed since one of the intended uses for the pressure relief pipe is "show" when pressure relief valve is tripping. In my area the pressure relief has to run out somewhere visible. If you mix it in condensate then won't be able to tell why it is dripping. Of course practically speaking I'm sure it would work.

    For the one I had installed a few months ago the condensate pipe just drops into sink that is next to it and it passed inspection. Originally my plumbers quoted me a new run to the outside because they were thinking classic acidic condensate from a gas burner. I was thinking the same thing before I remembered that this condensate didn't have that problem and we can just send it down the sink.
     
    • Like x 6
    • Informative x 1
  4. ChadS

    ChadS Last tank of gas: March 2009

    Joined:
    Jul 16, 2009
    Messages:
    3,316
    Location:
    Redmond, WA
    That is a great point to make...although in my case, I was replacing a gas heater. I am pretty sure I read the installation instructions for an HPWH and felt overwhelmed, although my DIY skills are indeed poor so maybe it was just me...I don't remember the details.
     
  5. Dave EV

    Dave EV Active Member

    Joined:
    Jun 23, 2009
    Messages:
    1,642
    Location:
    San Diego
    Yeah, inside the house it might be too noisy unless the room it's in is sound insulated from nearby rooms. And then you have to make sure that you vent that room. Mine is in my garage, right next to my living room. You can hear it through the wall/door (exterior-type door, so well sealed), but it's barely noticeable. Through the wall/door, it's like being in the same room as the refrigerator when running, so not objectionable.

    It's really not that hard if you have basic plumbing and electrical skills (depending on what type of heater your old one is). I also opted to extend/reroute the lines for my Rheem HPHW, but honestly if you were trying to minimize the plumbing work, you could use PEX tubing which would have been a lot faster / easier than soldering a number of copper fittings.

    I've had my 50 gallon Rheem for a year now (family of 4) and still keep it in heat pump only mode. In heat pump only mode, especially now that it's cooled off (about 65F in my garage right now, 75-80F in the summer), recovery times are definitely longer and back to back or long showers at high flow rates can cause you to run out of hot water. This is NOT a problem in energy saver mode, but energy usage goes up and I use the cold water as a indication that we should be taking shorter showers!

    Energy usage for the last 12 months according to EcoNet is about 700 kWh. I estimate 6-8 therms/month on my old gas water heater (have a bit of gas house heating that's hard to separate out), but assuming about 7 therms/month, that's about 2500 kWh equivalent, or about 3.5x less energy in total. Efficiency would drop a bit more by using Energy Saver mode, but it's still a win. I would suggest that most people start off with that mode. I highly recommend the Rheem, would definitely buy again.
     
    • Like x 5
    • Informative x 2
  6. SSedan

    SSedan Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 24, 2017
    Messages:
    2,948
    Location:
    Greenville Wisconsin
    I have the 50gallon Rheem/Richmond ductable version and I don't find it all that loud. The well pressure tank and ejector pit are in that room which is itself adjacent to the laundry room so I guess I am accusted to some level of noise. Well that and who can hear anything with kids in the house.
     
    • Like x 1
    • Funny x 1
  7. phigment

    phigment Member

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 2015
    Messages:
    650
    Location:
    Waterloo, Ontario
    Here's a short video demonstrating how loud it is. You can also see how its drained (it uses the same discharge as my zuba, which leads to the floor drain in my basement)

     
    • Informative x 2
    • Like x 2

Share This Page

  • About Us

    Formed in 2006, Tesla Motors Club (TMC) was the first independent online Tesla community. Today it remains the largest and most dynamic community of Tesla enthusiasts. Learn more.
  • Do you value your experience at TMC? Consider becoming a Supporting Member of Tesla Motors Club. As a thank you for your contribution, you'll get nearly no ads in the Community and Groups sections. Additional perks are available depending on the level of contribution. Please visit the Account Upgrades page for more details.


    SUPPORT TMC