Our existing (fairly new) w/h is not performing well unless we use hot water frequently... I'm tired of hearing about it and after a recent energy audit I'm at least wanting to get more educated about the tankless option.

Any advice, considerations, experiences that members have would be appreciated.

James

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1987 Mercedes 300SDL; SOLD
1985 Mercedes 300D; SOLD
2006 Honda Pilot - wife's ride; 122K;
1995 Toyota Land Cruiser - 3X locked; 182K

In a word - do it. Especially if you are natural gas in your home already.

The only caveat is if you are an all electric home. Then it gets pricey on the front end getting the unit installed/wired initially.

We have been using a TAKAGI TK20D tankless w/h for the past 7 years and we have had absolutely no problem with it. We use propane, have 2 full bathrooms, 4people (2 small chidren).

You'll find out that there are lot of options out there. One thing to consider is the debit. Chances are, they will try to sell you the top model with a 12 gallons per minute etc... Remember that the output of your tankless w/h is only as great as its input.... So if you get 6 gallons per minute at your house you won't get more that 6gpm at the water heater...

Ours is rated at 6.7gpm (IIRC) and we never had any output issues. You can run 1 shower, the dishwasher, the laundry machine and 1 faucet at the same time. I even installed a hot water garden line to use when I wash the car, the dog as well as fill up the hot tub...

I would recommend the electronic ignition, no need to pay for a pilot light and I think it is safer.

Good luck

Edit: I guess they don't make the TKD 20 anymore.... It has been replaced by the TH2.

http://www.takagi.com/index.php?product_id=85&page_id=2

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1980 300TD(euro non turbo): Eng: 617.912 /Tran:722.118
1985 300SD: Eng: 617.951/Tran: 722.416

This has been discussed here several times before. Search on "tankless water"

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1998 C230 330,000 miles (currently dead of second failed EIS, yours will fail too, turning you into the dealer's personal human cash machine)
1988 F150 144,000 miles (leaks all the colors of the rainbow)
Previous stars: 1981 Brava 210,000 miles, 1978 128 150,000 miles, 1977 B200 Van 175,000 miles, 1972 Vega (great, if rusty, car), 1972 Celica, 1986.5 Supra

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