Cynthia Larsen explains to us that a tankless hot water heater is not necessarily the way to go. Not a last minute decision, think about what you are going to do before jumping on the new technology and low carbon footprint.
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When my water heater sprung a leak, after faithfully servicing my home for 19 years, I was compelled to go tankless. I had let myself get caught up in the "reduce your carbon footprint" mantra and was temporarily blinded from common sense.
Since the day I had my tankless installed I have regretted my decision. I have, more than once, wanted to tear my tankless off the wall and take a sledge hammer to it in the middle of the street. The problem? About 6 minutes into a shower, the water would turn cold. Tankless water heaters are supposed to produce an endless supply of hot water!
Finding a fix for my situation wasn't easy. I went through 4 different plumbers and had several parts removed and/or replaced. I've spent over $4,000 more than I would have if I had just replaced my old water heater with a like-kind.
Finally, after many months of agony, the manufacturer figured out the problem. My low-flow shower heads weren't allowing enough water through (gallons per minute), making the tankless think there wasn't enough of a demand for hot water.
I can now have a nice, hot, water wasting, full pressure shower, now that my shower heads have been modified. All is well until the California water police show up on my front doorstep. I can't wait to see my next water bill.
This was one of those decisions where I wish I could turn back time. I'm sorry to say that knowing what I know now, I would never have installed a tankless water heater.
If you decide to go tankless, make sure the plumber tests the water pressure in your shower heads and faucets. Make sure you don't need a dedicated gas line. Make sure your existing gas line can deliver the proper amount of fuel. Make sure your plumber knows what he is doing. Ask for references and follow up on them. I wish I had.
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Copyright © 2010 - 2011 All Rights Reserved
Cynthia Larsen
Broker/Owner - Safe Haven Realty
Sonoma County, California, USA
(707) 332-2560
Yvette Chisholm, Associate Broker, MD, DC, VA
Alan Bruzee, Associate Broker, MD, DC, VA
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.
Rockville/King Farm Office 301-548-9700
402 King Farm Blvd #150 Rockville, MD 20850
