Install tankless water heater--DIY project?

Wondering how hellish it would be for an inexperienced DIYer to replace the old water heater with a tankless. Plumbers want $1200 just to install. Anyone have experience installing one? We were looking at the Rinnai 2532FFU.

Thanks, Chris

Reply to
Chris
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Give us a break, How could anyone answer that question with out seeing the location.

Some things to think about are is your gas line at the current location big enough? specs on the unit tell ya do you have the necessary combustion air? is the exhaust pipe big enough? is the temp rise of the coldest water expected going to be satisfactory? is the gallons per minute of the stated model really going to do the job?

I looked into these and when I found that my gas line need to be larger at the location I wanted to install it AND there were no spare parts available in a city of over a million people I passed. My exhaust was to small but that was a no biggie. Then I thought to check the temp rise of the unit that was recommended to me. Low and behold the winter months I would have warm water, not hot. I installed a new water heater for ~$250 and all is well in the hot water department.

Reply to
SQLit

Chris,

1- you should not be able to buy a Rinnai without the required certification from rinnai.

2- You have to use Rinnai's venting produts to install or else you will die and the unit will fail.

3- Don't be cheap - We are getting $1800 for these units installed and they qualify for a $300.00 tax rebate if you have it professionally installed. Go with a 2520 save some money without major performance loss.

TAB Dude

Reply to
TAB Dude

If you' can't ask the right questions, then you can't put in a gas heater.

Is it inside or outside, house or flat, top floor or not etc etc.

Reply to
ben.aust

I put in a Bosch 117000 btu Ng, And yes it takes 34-35f incomming and makes a hot shower not even being set to high. You will need to buy a Manometer? to measure gas flow. Tankless are big gas Btu users, to get its potential you need to know supply is adequate with all other apliances competing and run the proper size pipes. Other than that you can do it, I recomend a Flush - freeze drain set up at the bottom and top so you can DeLime it by pouring through something like lime away and quick draining for freeze protection. Follow instructions that came with the unit. A fire resistant wall board-aluminum sheet, is a good saftey precaution. I used a stainless wall vent and removed siding around it since exuast is real hot. Get the unit with remote thermostat. I save

75% over my old super insulated Electric tank with my Bosch with Battery ignition. Insulate hot supplies with foam pipe insulation. I kept my old tank inline with Bypass valves, stripped its insulation, now it tempers cold incomming water to save even more.

Tanks are for dinosaurs, sears best Ng tank has an energy factor in the

60S, Tankless evergy factors are up from 83 to 90+. considering 1/3 yearly Ng usage can be to heat water people need to learn.
Reply to
m Ransley

we like al at:

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Reply to
buffalobill

When you say $1800 installed, do you mean $1800 for the unit plus installation? If so, that's a steal. Our plumber wants $1200 just to install, so $2500 for unit + installation.

I see places online selling Rinnai. Can't I buy those w/o certifiations?

-chris

Reply to
Chris

Central Texas. We'd like to put the unit in the attic.

How does one find out one's current gas capacity?

Reply to
Chris

Inside, in attic of single story house.

Reply to
Chris

We are selling them for $1800 for the unit installed. If you get one from on line and install yourself, there will be no warranty and you accept all liability. Rinnai says unit to be purchased and installed by certified contractor. If installed by contractor unit has 10 year warranty and is eligible for $300 tax credit.

TAB Dude

Reply to
TAB Dude

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