Best Water heater?

[mhoy9]

Propane vs. Electric
Tank vs. Tank less
Power vent Condensing?
I have hot cold and return lines help me out guys its a new house and its big but theres only 2 of us in it what would you guys use or due its my own personal house and would like to do it cheaply but i want it efficient over the long run
mike

[thermofridge]

Rinnai tankless gas.

[GREGHVACGUY]

Propane nortiz

[viessmann]

no such thing as cheap and efficient over the long run . at least not that i have seen

[brianalan01]

Agree with themofridge.....

Rinnai is nice, and eff, unit. Upfront cost is A little higher than others.

We have torn out numerous huge tanks and mounted these nicely on the wall.

Great if you need a little more room in the utility room also.

just my two cents tho.

[RB486]

Noritz tankless. They build more tankless than anyone else on the planet. I've had one for four years now and will never go back to a tank.

[james80031]

Rinnai tankless gas.

I agree, but it has to be properly installed!! Definately not a DIY job. Rinnai are very nice.

[brianalan01]

No. Not a DIY. Know annually your suppose to flush the system. Takes about 3-4 gal of white vinegar, a circ. pump, and some buckets.

Theres a little screen in cold side valve too that is supposed to be pulled out and cleaned.

Dont know if even flushing it is a DIY. Dealer suppose to do it for warranty purposes I think....(correct me if Im wrong)

Also we have been installing filters on the cold side, to stop small debris from accum. in the rinnai itself. (especially for old galv. piping)

Think its a 12 year heat exchanger warranty
5 year parts/1 yr labor

You can even mount the unit outside....Have never done that....But they make an outdoor unit.

[energy_rater_La]

you know you can install the tankless gas units on an exterior wall and eliminate the need for venting thru the roof. I understand that the venting is expensive and lots of folks hesitate to cut
a hole in the roof.

My recommendation would be tankless for gas..natural gas
.85 energy factor units will qualify for federal tax credit.

electric standard tank with .95 Energy Factor (whirlpool makes a nice .95 tank sold @ box stores) electric.
one thing I have seen that made a lot of sense to me..as far as water heaters in the attic make..is to locate two tanks next to each other and pipe in tandem..
and always..insulate the hot water line...

I changed my old electric tank for a propane tank 10 years ago,
the $10 I saved a month on electricity has increased to about $20 per month with propane..due to cost increases of propane in the past 10 years, to begin with it was a good deal..now..not so good.
propane is so expensive here.
When I change out again...highest Energy Factor I can find on
an electric tank..and I'll put a blanket on it for wintertime..add
an additional R-10
btw the higher ef standard tanks are fatter..due to more insulation
on inside of tank..just like ES refrigs..thicker doors..more insulation.
Unlike refrigs..you can externally insulate a water heater.

best of luck!