Tankless electric water heater
 

Just wondering if anyone here is running one of these and what the consensus is.
Basically, my tank has been giving me grief lately. It's fairly corroded and should probably be replaced.
Small house, one bathroom. The service panel is only rated at 100 amps. So the highest I'd probably be able to get away with is a 12-15kw unit.
Anyone running one with that rating?
My biggest concern is the bath. Reading mixed reviews on units in that range keeping up with the higher output fixtures. We don't usually run to fixtures at once as it is, so we're ok with that.
Any input is greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

My plumber was pushing a Rinai system on me when I was looking to upgrade.

He installs them and has an interest in selling them but I did some research and even with my wife and I and our suite, the savings didn’t justify the change over.

I needed a “direct vent” system whether it was going to be an on demand or a tank because I could no longer vent out my chimney. So it was either a power vent tank system or a tank less.

I bought a 60 gallon power vented hot water tank and all the venting piping etc. for about $800 brand new with 5 year warantee. The rinai on demand system he wanted to sell me was going to be $3500 all in.

I did the math and based on just cost alone, if the cost of operating were to be similar or slightly better, it was going to take me like 8-10 years to come out ahead anyways.

Imo it’s more so for larger homes or a vanity item really, they are more efficient but I think eh cost difference doesn’t justify the switch.

I have had this model and I'm a big fan of it

NPE-240A | Navien

Only issue is since it's gas but still electric if the power goes out the hot water doesn't work.

Yeah unfortunately the house has no gas. Nice thing about electric tho is no need to vent. The electric units are actually much cheaper than gas too. Price for a decent size that can heat 5-7gpm is comparable to buying a new tank.
Only problem with electric is available current.

I'll probably be upgrading the panel next spring when I build the shop anyways so I think I may just limp the tank along until then.
I don't think I wanna risk going with a smaller unit.

Reason I wanted to go with tankless is that we'll be doing renos in a couple years and opening up the floor plan. It would be real nice to have the tank gone and have the on demand tucked in the crawl space. Just for space and appearance I mean. Plus it might save a bit on electricity too.

you also need to ensure your area has the power to do it as my buddy has to ensure he was able to pull the power needed for his new house.

Keep an eye out for BC Hydro rebates which can help offset the up-front cost.

Fancy is great until your first service call for the unit.

Alot of tanks require a "minimum total service" to your house. usually 125A+ for what you want, althou the 12kw usually require less.

The people that complain and post reviews online about "heater not working" are people that are too cheap to install the proper size, have a family of 9 for a single tank with 3 washrooms, or DIY something stupid. Whatever your exisitng BTU is on your old tank, you want to match up. BTU/3400 = kW (15kw = approx 50kbtu)

Hire a plumber, get er done.

source: half plumber

OH, 9 out of 10 contractors will say "oh, it's not worth it, electricity is too expensive"
or "people tried it and it sucks"

true reason... THEY are mofo lazy and doesn't want to do it. just FYI>

Lol yeah I've come to that conclusion. Left message with about 8 places detailing what I was looking for. Got one call back and he pretty much wanted nothing to do with it

I installed a Viessmann a few years back and have no regrets. Never had any issues with hot water. It did require more servicing than our traditional boiler but it has made a lot more space in our boiler room and given us a better supply of hot water.

https://www.viessmann.ca/en/resident...ens-200-w.html

Yeah, the huge difference there tho is electric vs gas. With gas, people don't have an issue with maintaining temperature usually