Tankless Hotwater and Wall Mounted Boilers. - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

GottaDiesel · #1 06-30-2005, 05:44 PM

Here's the original tankless/wall mounted post, I added one little part.

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Ok, Look at Baxi Luna Tankless Hotwater and Heating... (It's like the Bosch, only MUCH better quality, and does both Hot water Baseboard AND Instant Hot water.

So here's my question. If I can buy the unit for $2500 (REMEMBER, this is a wallmounted BOILER **AND** a TANKLESS WATER HEATER. The ones that are tankless water heaters only can be had for $300 or more.), why in gods name do we (American's) still use the giant units to heat our homes and still use tanks to store our water? I just read that the USA is the ONLY country left that still uses tanks to store our hot water.

What's up with that???

Pete

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GottaDiesel · #2 06-30-2005, 05:46 PM

I just got this reply on a DIY board:

"I have a tankless water heater...got it online for about $350...MRP was over $800...had a guy from work install it for $60...it works ok as far as heating the water goes...I get nice, long, hot showers now. The only problem I have is the water pressure...it's alot less than I used to have."

Why would I get lower water pressure?

Pete

Brian Carlton · #3 06-30-2005, 05:57 PM

It's very difficult to heat hot water instantaneously. You need a ton of power to to it. So, the typical system heats up a tank of hot water and you utilize the stored energy in the tank. If you run the tank for 30 minutes, you will run the tank out of hot water, as well.

In your system, the tankless heater is limited in the amount of hot water it can provide. So, the volume of water coming out of the unit must be limited. You see this as a reduction in pressure, however, it is caused by a reduction in volume. You can get some of the pressure back with a more restrictive showerhead. Sometimes the water saver shower heads will assist in the feeling of sufficient pressure. But, there is no substitute for volume. And, for that, you need a tank.

Larry Delor · #4 06-30-2005, 06:18 PM

I had a solar water sytem in a house that I once owned. It had a 80 gal tank, and a panel on the roof. It also had a timer that let the heater have electrical power for two hours in the morning (sort of a "just in case" thing). On sunny days, you could use all the hot water you wanted. Even in the evening, there was plenty for dishes and a few showers. The only thing that convinced you to use less water, was the amount they charge for water in the first place.

Once I have a few more $$'s saved up (or a car sold), I will most likely replace the energy sucking low boy, and stuff a 80 gal in the garage, and mount a solar heater on the roof. I might even consider hooking up to city water at that time.

Yes, I didn't talk about tankless heaters....My point is that if you have enough sun in your area, you may want to consider a solar heater.

MTI · #5 06-30-2005, 06:37 PM

Larry, we laugh at people that DON'T have solar here. The state gives a one time tax credit and the local utility provdes cash rebates on the installation.

Botnst · #6 06-30-2005, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

It's very difficult to heat hot water instantaneously. You need a ton of power to to it. So, the typical system heats up a tank of hot water and you utilize the stored energy in the tank. If you run the tank for 30 minutes, you will run the tank out of hot water, as well.

In your system, the tankless heater is limited in the amount of hot water it can provide. So, the volume of water coming out of the unit must be limited. You see this as a reduction in pressure, however, it is caused by a reduction in volume. You can get some of the pressure back with a more restrictive showerhead. Sometimes the water saver shower heads will assist in the feeling of sufficient pressure. But, there is no substitute for volume. And, for that, you need a tank.

Boyle's and Charles'. The enemy of the free lunch.

mplafleur · #7 06-30-2005, 11:57 PM

Does anyone else have one? I'm building my garage addition, which has the master bedroom/bath above. I intend on putting in a tankless WH to supply the bathroom. I'm considering the Bosch or the Renaii, or a Takagi.

Brian Carlton · #8 07-01-2005, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mplafleur

Does anyone else have one? I'm building my garage addition, which has the master bedroom/bath above. I intend on putting in a tankless WH to supply the bathroom. I'm considering the Bosch or the Renaii, or a Takagi.

It's probably a necessary evil in such a situation, rather than attempt to route hot water from a remote area of the house. It's perfectly fine for the lav. The shower will provide less volume than you are probably using in the standard bath. You can forget about running a bath unless you wait forever.

cmac2012 · #9 07-01-2005, 04:46 AM

We put one in a small duplex converted to office space. The bathroom has a shower, for massage therapist clients, perhaps, but it will be used sparingly, and hot water for hand washing won't be high volume either.

Plus, the hot water would have to be routed a long way to get there, so the tankless was the least expensive option in the long run....or so we figured. I can't imagine we could figure wrong....