Does anyone have a tankless water heater that you can recommend?

[SheltieLover]

Hi All,

Just as my Biden Bucks (borrowed term) arrived, my water heater decided to start acting up.

I am looking for a tankless, high-efficiency unit, well made, for a resonable price, and offered by a company that will honor a DIY install.

I really like the Navien, made in South Korea, but they will not honor a DIY install.

Hiring a licensed plumber in the not-so-great state of TN pretty much ensures a screwed up install.

Thank you in advance!

[pwb]

1. I have a Rannai.

All the hot water I want. My friend put it in four years ago and no problems. Those things are made right so you should have no problem with it.

[mitch96]

4. I second the Rinnai.. For a couple it was perfect. I would suggest you get the pump to

clear out the water heater plumbing every year. Keeps things flowing good.
https://www.diychatroom.com/threads/which-pump-for-flushing-tankless.639963/
m

[SheltieLover]

6. Absolutely!

Definately will put that in for flushing. We have really great water here, but will still flush it once per year, as recommended.

Thanks for sharing about your unit! Rinnai seems very popular, just a bit too pricey for my budget.

[SheltieLover]

5. It seems Rinnai is the hands down winner! LOL

Thank you for sharing.

They are likely a bit too pricey for my budget, but I'll keep looking.

[Delmette2.0]

2. I agree, Rannai is great!

[SheltieLover]

7. Seems to the the hands-down fav!

They are just a bit pricey for my budget, but I'll keep looking.

Ridiculous, really, if you consider how much less material there is to a tankless one. But they can charge whatever they want, so they will make them crazy expensive. :-/

Thanks for sharing!

[WhiteTara]

3. Aqua Star

[SheltieLover]

8. Thanks for sharing!

I'll check it out!

[WhiteTara]

9. you're welcome!

[Hassin Bin Sober]

10. Rheem @ Home Depot and Richmond(made by Rheem) @ Menards seem to be highly rated..

Are you doing gas or electric?

I’m about to pull the trigger on a 199,000 btu Rheem from Home Depot

Keep in mind the huge BTU requirements might necessitate a gas meter or electrical panel upgrade. As far as I can tell, my gas company will upgrade at no charge.


Also keep in mind Home Depot will give you the 11% cash back to match Menards if you buy while Menards is running their 11% cash back program. You go on the HD website and fill out a form - which is better than mailing in to Menards.

[SheltieLover]

11. I'm looking at a Noritz

Amazon & NYDirect have same unit for $860 / $820, respectively.

These are made in Japan & have 1 yr labor, 5 yr parts & 12 yr heat exchanger warranty.

Perhaps most importantly, Noritz employees answer phone & are very helpful. Seems like a great company!

You might want to try calling Rheem to ensure the level of support you desire is available.

I've had HVAC pros tell me Rheem is awful to deal with. No personal experience with Rheem.

Ty for heads up on 11%! I might check their Noritz pricing, as they are an authorized seller.

Gl with your purchase & install!

[SheltieLover]

12. Natural gas unit

Sorry, I missed that question.

Opting for gas due to poor elect quality & wiring from the pole to my home.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

13. Do you have to upgrade your meter?

One of the reasons I’m probably going to buy from HD is their liberal no questions asked return policy.

[SheltieLover]

14. No need to upgrade meter

Well, that's good, but read before you buy, because some say "professional installation required for warranty," or something like that. I know Navien is that way, sadly. Navien is not responsive either. I emailed them days ago, and still no response. And that email was sent to their claim department, so if I had a Navien unit and needed to make a warranty claim, I'd still be waiting!

[Hassin Bin Sober]

15. I don't stress too much about warranties.

The thousands I save doing my own work and making sure it’s done right is worth it to me.

The parts they warranty for long periods don’t wear out. And the other wear parts usually come with a “labor charge” that is more than the part.

I have so many hvac nightmare stories regarding bad “professional” installs. I can’t e the only one...

[SheltieLover]

16. Well, that's a great point

The "solutions" so called "professionals" come up with in this red hellhole area would be laughable if they weren't potentially deadly.

[jmowreader]

17. Do yourself a huge favor

If you don't have gas service, DO NOT get a tankless water heater.

They make electric ones...but they need multiple 50 amp breakers to work. Stiebel Eltron makes them...they give a maximum flow rate in gallons per minute, and it varies by incoming water temperature. Their biggest one will raise 4.5gpm from 50 degrees to 105 degrees, which is basically lukewarm water, and it needs three 50-amp breakers to work. It will raise the temp of the water all the way to 140 degrees if you want, but at a lower flow rate.

Gas ones work fine, and there I agree with everyone else: Rinnai is the way to go.

[SheltieLover]

18. Agreed!

Just had black pipe installwd for unit.

The pathetic power grid here can barely handle it when someone turns o a window AC. Lights beown out, etc.

I ended up buying a Noritz unit. Should be installed in a couple of days. 😁

Ty!

[natheo]

19. Just installed a rinnai

It works great so far. I think we made the right decision.

[SheltieLover]

20. Great!

Ty for sharing! Gl with your unit.

[we can do it]

21. Rheem electric

[SheltieLover]

22. Tyvm

I purchased a Noritz.

[we can do it]

23. I'm a little slow😻

[SheltieLover]

24. Np

Much appreciate your response.