Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Frugal and Energy Efficient Living

Kolesar

(31,182 posts)

17. Tankless makes sense in a climate where one must run the air conditioner for a lot of the year

Reply to Ruby the Liberal (Reply #16)

Tue Jan 10, 2012, 08:21 AM

Jan 2012

Because waste heat from the hot water tank and pipes must be removed from the home with air conditioning.

However, where I live, we run the furnace for eight months out of the year. The waste heat from the hot water tank actually helps to heat the house. Installing a tankless heater would never pay itself off for me, especially if I paid to put in the very big natural gas line that the tankless heater needs.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

21 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Put a switch on my electric water heater, now I only turn it before I'll need really hot water.. [View all] Fumesucker Jan 2012 OP

Why not get an instantaneous (tankless) water heater? n/t FSogol Jan 2012 #1

This seems a cheaper solution than replacing a perfectly good water heater. canoeist52 Jan 2012 #2

Ok, I'll rephrase. When your tank controls/element break from being turned on/off FSogol Jan 2012 #4

Water heaters routinely cycle on and off anyway.. Fumesucker Jan 2012 #8

Two reasons... Fumesucker Jan 2012 #3

We use these for remote sinks, lavs FSogol Jan 2012 #5

Is there somewhere online where you can do a calculation Ruby the Liberal Jan 2012 #6

How many gallons is your water heater? Fumesucker Jan 2012 #7

40 and its not climate controlled. Ruby the Liberal Jan 2012 #9

You might want to check the temperature of the hot water from the closest faucet to your tank.. Fumesucker Jan 2012 #10

Thank you! Ruby the Liberal Jan 2012 #16

Tankless makes sense in a climate where one must run the air conditioner for a lot of the year Kolesar Jan 2012 #17

Fumesucker is correct kristopher Jan 2012 #18

I can do that. Ruby the Liberal Jan 2012 #19

Good for you. This will save both electricity and most likely reduce your use cbayer Jan 2012 #11

Creative frugality. silverweb Jan 2012 #12

Kudos. Used the same system for a year or so. Spartan. dimbear Jan 2012 #20

Not bad at all. silverweb Jan 2012 #21

How long have you been on this system? Curmudgeoness Jan 2012 #13

I only did it a couple of weeks ago.. Fumesucker Jan 2012 #14

I will be interested to hear how much savings you have. Curmudgeoness Jan 2012 #15