Any downsides to "on demand" water heaters?

by Water Heaters on June 23, 2010

We have a jacuzzi that seems to empty our hot water heater before it’s full enough. I’m thinking about the "on demand" type of water heater since it’s at a cabin that we only use a few days a week. I think that would save energy but I’m afraid the water might take forever to fill a large tub like a jacuzzi has. Also, how much room does an "on demand" water heater take up compared to the normal kind?


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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }

Emee June 23, 2010 at 5:07 am

On demand water heaters are great . The demand of a weekend only jacuzzi might not be economical for you to use an on-demand heater. The downside of an on-demand heater is that it can calcify over time, you may want a water softener with it. For the jacuzzi you may want to get an auxiliary heater, such as a submersible heater, to keep it slightly heated all the time and crank up the heat when you are there..

danchevz June 23, 2010 at 5:07 am

1. Initial installation costs are high,
2. You need to have a large amount of natural gas flow,
3. Existing exhaust vent may not be sufficient.

On demand water heaters take less area.

EQ June 23, 2010 at 5:07 am

They’re tankless, so they take up less room.

I’ve read a number of places that because of the high installation costs they are not as cost effective as they’re made out to be–that you don’t actually get your money back. Then again I’ve read the opposite too.

They don’t do well with high demand. If two people are taking showers and the dishwasher’s running, it’s cold shower time.

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