We just bought a house which has a Bosch tankless water heater (propane). It is only 2 months old, the sellers had just had it put in.
I’m not sure this is something I can get used to, if there is anything that can be done to improve it, if all tankless are like this
First – you have to run the water for a few minutes to get any hot water. Is this ok for our well or our septic system? (Note: we’ve never had a well or septic system before, always town water/sewer). Sometimes its really hot, sometimes its just warm.
While taking a shower it can suddenly get all cold – not sure why because my husband didn’t run any water.
I assume things will get worse in the winter when the starting temperature of the water is much colder. As in when I wash my hands it will be in icy cold water, and when the shower goes to cold it will be freezing! We live in south-eastern MA btw.
Any recommendations? Is this defective or just the way they work? It must still be under warrenty, but if this is just how it works then its pointless to try to have it fixed.
If we do replace it – any recommendations of what to get for a water heater and tank (or are their other options?)
And what are the benefits of a tankless water heater anyway? Are they suppose to be more energy efficient?
Thanks
If we
It definately does not take seconds to get hot water… I’d guess 2 to 3 minutes.
Really!
Oops – did exagerate. 
Timed it, 1 minute 25 seconds. Though I still think sometimes its longer.
Regardless, that is too long – inconveient and I worry about the septic and the well. And if it will be worse in winter.
Who will wait a minute and a half to wash their hands after using the toilet??
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
They do take getting used to. First It may take a few seconds for hot water to get to a faucet. I’ve never had a system that didn’t. Won’t affect your well or septic. Well water is generally 40 – 50 degrees. If your tank has just filled itself, the water is at that temp’ – and the temp of your hot water will be correspondingly lower. As the water in the well’s tank sits and warms up (summer) your heater has warmer water to start with and, thus hotter water. Won’t be as bad in winter because the well water won’t warm up. The heater should have adjustments. I make different temps for different tasks. In the shower, and where ever, I set the temp so no cold water is used. Mixing cold water into the hot with the faucet can cause the heater to shut down = a cold blast. Also, if the pressure setting of your pump is too low the heater can sometimes interpret that as insufficient flow and shut off. I set my pressure to 40 on, 60 off. Make sure the heater is well ventilated. Co2 buildup can also cause shutdown.
To help with the hot/cold problem in summer I left my old 40 gallon heater connected – but turned off. It gives the water a place to warm a
bit before it goes to the heater. It also gives me an option if gas supply gets interupted. Some people set a tank outside (best method) in the sun and let that warm up the water. Is Tankless efficient? You bet! Mine saves me (1 person only in house) around $20.00 a month on my electric bill. Its effect on my propane supply is negligible. If you don’t mind paying for a tank full of hot water 24/7, whether it is being used or not, replace it. Just remember: I have heard of up to 70% hikes in electric rates if Obama and the libs push through their carbon tax. It looks like the change everybody wanted is getting ready to kick us in the butts!
1. The tankless water heater is supposed to be more energy efficient because it doesn’t have to keep 40 gallons of water hot all of the time – like when you’re gone to work for 8 hours a day or asleep at night.
2. The delay that it takes to get hot water may just be the time it takes to get the water from the water heater to the faucet. How long does it really take?
3. There shouldn’t be sudden bursts of cold water. That sounds like a defect to me. Check on getting it serviced.
I have a propane tankless system and there is a minute or delay in the water getting hot but once it does it stays hot until you turn it off. Something must be wrong if you’re getting different temperatures when you’re taking a shower. I’d definitely look at getting it checked out if it’s under warranty. I’ve had mine for about 2 yrs now and never had that kind of problem.
Tankless water heaters are overrated , energy efficiency is overstated and they are not designed for large homes or long runs of water piping . I would remove the tankless and go back to a conventional type of water heater