Rinnai Tankless Water Heater, $2,700 Installed

This one’s for Buck. We replaced our typical water heater with a Rinnai Tankless unit. We also moved it to be closer to the kitchen and bathrooms. It’s great that these products are much greener than the old stuff, but it’s also a major plus that the hot water never runs out, ever. So, all the family members or guests staying with you don’t have to stagger shower taking, or worry about running out after doing laundry or whatever.

Our local gas company, which also sells various gas products, did the install for about $2,700, which includes the unit. I got some other bids, and looked around online and this is about what you can expect to pay. This assumes there is already a gas line nearby, and that you have enough pressure or large enough line. When it’s on, it’s on, and if there isn’t enough pressure the performance of your heat system, stove and everything using gas will suffer. Mounting it on an exterior wall also keeps the cost down. That way the intake/exhaust pipe can run straight out the wall. There are outdoor units, but I’d rather not have my gear out in the elements.

One feature that’s really cool is the thermostat. We have it next to the unit for now while we renovate this house. Some people like to put it in or near a bathroom. You can adjust the thermostat when small kids take baths, or set it wherever you like it when you take a shower and just turn on the hot water, and ignore the cold. When you effectively bypass the mixer this way the water will always be the right temperature even if someone flushes a toilet, or the water pressure just drops.

There is a lot more I could say about tankless water heaters, but the bottom line is we are completely happy with ours. You can read more them about at the Rinnai site.

The pics here (clockwise from left) show the installed unit with water lines and the natural gas line in place, exterior intake and exhaust, the thermostat, and the Energy Guide card. Click it for a larger image.