Best of the worst hot water heater brands?
Chinaski
13 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (21)
User
13 years agohomebound
13 years agoRelated Discussions
Best brand of tankless water heater?
Comments (17)It would be good to step back a bit. Other than the Bosch unit that had so much trouble (AquaStar?), I don't think that the brand of the unit is the most important issue. You first need to be clear on what your needs are and what venting and other issues you may have. To determine what your needs are, you need to approximate the temp of the inlet water in the winter--In very cold climates that can be around 33 degrees. Then you need to determine what you want to raise that temp to. In most cases the design temp is 105 degrees because that's the temp of a shower (even though the heater will likely be set at 120). The difference is the temperature rise. Then you determine what faucets you are likely to use at the same time and you add the gpm rating of those together. Once you know the temp rise and the flow in gpm, you can find a heater that will do that. They publish charts that show how many gpm they will heat at a given temp rise. What you will find is that the most of the heaters have a similar energy factor and so a 200,000 btu input heater, for example, will heat about 4.5 gal a minute at a 72 degree rise. Once you go over the 200k btu input, there are fewer brands available, but still several. Be aware that the condensing units (that take the flue temps below condensing point) get very expensive and have the issue of the condensate being corrosive. At this time, I wouldn't use one unless there was a compelling reason to do so. (The little additional energy savings isn't a compelling reason, Solving a venting problem because you can use PVC pipe might be) All of that said, I thing the Rheeem/Rudd/Paloma units are a quality unit at a reasonable price. The cost of 200k btu Rheem is ~$1100 with the basic vent kit. If your gas company will install it for $1500, I would do it. That includes the cost of capital, by the way. Most of the units are available as an indoor unit or a outdoor unit. The outdoor units are suitable for warm climates and don't need a vent. Most of the indoor units also offer an outdoor air intake....See MoreWhats the 'best' hot water heater? gas fired
Comments (2)Define "Best". I would suggest you look at the 50 gal hybrid condensing units. They are a cross between a tank and a tankless. "80 gal won't cut it with 100 gal tub" -- if you have a 140 degree water and a 105 degree tub, it should be fine. Last point: A 100 gal bathtub wastes a lot of water. Chances are that you aren't going to fill it very often. A 100 gal water heater doesn't make any sense for a 100 gal bath tub that you aren't going to fill often. Get the hybrid 50 gal water heater that will save energy all of the time, and still be able to fill your tub. It probably won't cost any more than the oversized water heater....See MoreBest brand of hot water heater and toilet hoses
Comments (1)I'd look at Bradford White and Marathon water heaters. For hoses, as said in Highlander, "there can only be one"... www.falconstainless.com...See MoreWhat brand tankless water heater is currently the best
Comments (1)"Looking for a tankless water heater with instant hot water for a 3 bathroom house" A tankless heater will not provide instant hot water. In fact, it will require about 5-10 more seconds than a standard tank heater. Retrofitting an existing tank installation can be cost prohibitive - check for general costs before you get too invested in the idea. As for brands, I've used Rheem 200k condensing units and have been very happy with them. Again though, I'd make sure that you have the right heater for the right application and within your ballpark budget before you worry about brands....See MoreUser
13 years agoChinaski
13 years agoUser
13 years agoChinaski
13 years agobus_driver
13 years agodebo_2006
13 years agoGardenguy12
9 years agojackfre
9 years agoclinton williams
7 years agouscpsycho
6 years agojrb451
6 years agouscpsycho
6 years agooneandonlybobjones
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agouscpsycho
5 years agoEwa Decyk
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoJake The Wonderdog
5 years agouscpsycho
5 years agoStarCraft Custom Builders
5 years ago
Related Stories
GREAT HOME PROJECTSHow to Switch to a Tankless Water Heater
New project for a new year: Swap your conventional heater for an energy-saving model — and don’t be fooled by misinformation
Full StoryDECORATING GUIDESGadget Watch: What's New for the High-Tech Home
A heater fan, robotic vacuum, solar-powered iPhone charger and other hot home gadgets
Full StoryLIFEThe Top 5 Ways to Save Water at Home
Get on the fast track to preserving a valuable resource and saving money too with these smart, effective strategies
Full StoryFIREPLACES12 Hot Ideas for Fireplace Facing
From traditional brick to industrial steel, there’s a fireplace cladding here to light up your design
Full StoryGREEN BUILDINGWater Sense for Big Savings
Keep dollars in your pocket and preserve a precious resource with these easy DIY strategies
Full StoryARCHITECTUREWant to Live by the Water? What You Need to Know
Waterside homes can have amazing charm, but you'll have to weather design restrictions, codes and surveys
Full StoryDISASTER PREP & RECOVERYRemodeling After Water Damage: Tips From a Homeowner Who Did It
Learn the crucial steps and coping mechanisms that can help when flooding strikes your home
Full StoryHOUSEKEEPING5 Steps to Improve Your Heating System Now
Increase your heater's efficiency and safety for lower energy bills and greater peace of mind this winter
Full StorySAVING WATER6 Reasons Why You Should Save Your Rainwater Now
Collect and store during the rainy season so you’ll have water ready for irrigation when you need it
Full StoryEARTH DAYGrow a Beautiful Garden With Ecofriendly Greywater
Reducing home water waste means lower bills and a healthier planet. Here's how to set up a greywater home irrigation system that can help
Full StoryMore Discussions
Jake The Wonderdog