Hi, I’m Tom the HotWaterGuy. Hot Water is a company in Houston, Texas, specializing in tankless water heating. That means we know more than your average bear about tankless water heating… but we’re still learning because the tankless industry is continuing to change. In fact, there are some exciting new developments afoot.
One thing coming is a hybrid tank / tankless machine. It’s supposed to combine the benefits of a traditional tank heater and a tankless water heater. You will be able to use it with a re-circulating hot water system without the need for an external tank. It also is supposed to be a direct replacement for a tank heater using the same “B” type vent material as a tank. And the cost of the machine and installation are supposed to be cheaper than a tankless water heater.
Another thing on the horizon is a 95% efficient tankless water heater that we can vent with PVC plastic pipe. It will be more expensive a machine but you will save on the price of the stainless steel vent piping. I’m guessing the cost will be somewhat more than a regular tankless, but the 95% efficiency will be the deciding factor for some people.
Anyway, stay tuned to our blog for more developments. And please ask questions or post comments here whenever you like. I’d love to get a conversation started.
6 responses so far ↓
Jim Maguffey // March 9, 2008 at 10:00 pm |
When are these new hybrid tank / tankless machine going to be availible?
hotwaterguy // March 10, 2008 at 2:36 am |
The only information that I have is that they should be out fairly soon. I don’t know when. I also believe that the retail price for them is going to be close $2000. If that’s true, the installed price for the hybrid will be as much or maybe even greater than a Tankless installation. Seems to negate any reason for buying one.
Shelly & Roy Johnson // March 12, 2008 at 1:26 am |
Any ETA on the 95% efficiency model? (and can you say who plans to bring it to market?)
We’re just now beginning to research the tankless option as a “piece” of a major remodel, so that’s a very tantalizing tidbit.
Also, how many tankless units have y’all installed? I saw your #1 Rheem and #3 Rinnai.
And, as a final not-related-to-your-post question, what’s your approximate breakdown on installs between conditioned space (garage, interior wall) installs and non-conditioned space (attic, exterior wall) and what is the deciding factor in choosing location?
I like your site so far.
Thanks!
hotwaterguy // March 12, 2008 at 12:46 pm |
Yes, the 95% efficiency models will be released by Bosch. We have been field testing a few of these for the last year or so for them. At first there were a few problems, but they seem to have them ironed out. One really great thing about the 95% efficient machines is they vent with PVC plastic pipe. They transfer so much of the heat generated into the water that the exhaust gas is cool enough for plastic pipe.
I don’t know exactly how many Tankless machines we’ve installed. We do between 5 and 12 heaters every week. As far as interior vs. exterior units, we install many more interior units.
Most water heaters are located in attics in Houston and the surrounding areas. If the Tankless is to be located inside the house, such as in a utility room that is air conditioned, the best machine would be a direct vented machine. A direct vent Tankless takes its combustion air from outside, burns it, then puts it back outside again. That is a secondary savings of a Tankless Water Heater that is hard to calculate — the savings in not using your expensive heated / air conditioned air to make hot water.
The most economical place to put a retrofit water heater is in the same location as the old one. That said, the best location for a water heater is as close to the point of use as possible. An exterior unit is great but if you have to wait 2 or 3 minutes for hot water every time you turn on the faucet it’s not the best location, as far as I’m concerned. If you’re doing a remodel, moving the water heater to the most desirable location should be a big part of it.
Have you seen the “exploding tank water heater” link? I love that video. Another very good reason to go Tankless!
Thanks,
Tom – Hot Water
rob b // September 25, 2008 at 11:52 pm |
Would you say the only difference between an exterior vs interior unit is the distance in pipe and delay for your water to get hot intially?
Any other positive or negatives you can think of, because I don’t see any other reasons why more people don’t have exterior units
she11ey // September 27, 2008 at 6:09 pm |
Good question, Rob! I’ll ask Tom to post a new entry on this blog to address it…