I think we are going to need a new one. Trying to get an idea of what's good before somebody talks me into buying something that I don't need. We have a gas one now and are a household of 4. Are the tankless ones any good?

http://www.oldhouseweb.com/how-to-advice/tankless-water-heaters-a-good-choice.shtml


Conventional tank heaters
A conventional gas water heater costs about $380, uses $179 in fuel a year and should last about 13 years. That's a total (life-cycle cost) of $2,707. A standard electric water heater costs more than twice as much to run and has a life-cycle cost of $5,680. Ouch!

Yes, you can turn down a conventional heater when you're not around. You can even shut it off completely as long as you know temperatures won't dip below freezing. But it takes time and energy to heat all that water back up next time you need it. It's not exactly a convenient solution.

Tankless savings
Tankless heaters use less energy because they're not trying to keep a tank of water hot all the time. A high efficiency gas heater without a pilot light costs only $90 a year to operate, and it should last 20 years. That adds up to a life-cycle cost of $2,370 - more than $300 cheaper than a standard gas heater.

Electric tankless heaters, by the way, aren't nearly as attractive. Their life-cycle cost over 20 years is an estimated $5,982 - about the same as a conventional electric water heater.

Pros and cons
There are two other things to like about gas tankless heaters. As you point out, they don't take up much room. And if you locate the heater close to the shower or sink you won't be waiting forever for hot water to arrive.

On the down side, on-demand heaters are a lot more expensive initially than conventional heaters. In addition, you'll have to run a gas line into the house if you don't already have a gas appliance.

Bottom line? Of the two options you mention, go with a gas tankless model. Its advantages far outweigh its few problems. Just make sure to read the fine print. Make sure your heater will get water hot enough and deliver enough of it to suit your needs.

All of this assumes you plan on holding on to your house for a while. If you're headed for a quick sale, choose a conventional heater

DO NOT BUY A WHILRPOOL WATER HEATER. Lowes sells them cheap, but they have a long history of design problems, recalls, & class action lawsuits. I bought one as my secondary unit a few years ago & it lasted 1 year. Buy an A.O Smith or a Richmond.

Water heaters are just like most home appliances. Many brands are exactly the same, but for a different label, as they all fall under the same corporate umbrella.

I know, but do a search on Whirlpoo' Water Heater problems & you'll see what I mean. The American Water Heater Company makes the Whirlpool heaters.

Also, another excellent brand is Bradford-White.

I think we are going to need a new one. Trying to get an idea of what's good before somebody talks me into buying something that I don't need. We have a gas one now and are a household of 4. Are the tankless ones any good?

My plumber has a tankless in his house, and I trust his plumbing opinion 100%.

Then you need a new plumber.

No, I do not.

Hmmm. . . this suggests that placing a simple water filter on the line ahead of the tankless heater might be a game-changer.

-So the countries largest plumbing supply company (Ferguson) drops carrying tankless water heaters because of the many problems and the continual need for service, but your guy says they are good? This after $500 bonuses given to sales person who sells them

-Seen 5 houses in the last 2 years go up that start at $2 mill, up to $5 mill and not one of them using a tankless system due to the many issues.

-Warranty on the system is void if you do not have an authorized Tankless water heater cleaning done each year.

-Community plumbing service desk manager, who sells them, would say not to get one.

I could go on and on of bad stories, people removing them (As I have been asked to remove 3 of them) and suppliers that dont carry them or promote them to customers.

My guy is the best plumber that I have worked with in my almost twenty years in the trades. I trust his opinion completely, and I will continue to use him when I need a plumber at my house, or somebody else's.

Bigfan wants to have a pissing contest over something so trivial because he knows everything about everything. No thank you.

Wouldn't one of the advantages of going tankless be no chance of someone leaving you an Upper Decker?

Let your husband worry about the water heater. Shouldn't you be planning your meals and laundry schedule for the coming week?

I, for one, am shocked that Chus would choose to side with his guy, a skilled tradesman who has been trained in the biz, over an internet know it all.

I see a lot of guys mentioning brand names. Just curious,what are your opinions on RHEEM?