A quick stroll around the floor at IBS and you'd think (contrary to reality) that most of the water heaters in American homes are tankless — because there sure are a lot of companies making them. After all, they seem to make tremendous sense, whether you're trying to save energy, save space and/or save cash. (Tankless heaters can save somewhere between 25 and 40% on your water heating bill depending on what kind of tank you have now.)
Some plumbers don't like them because they're not an everyday install. That said, have your plumber read the directions because it's not rocket science. You need a beefed-up gas-supply line (up from 1/2-inch to 3/4-inch connection), an exhaust route out of the house and a 110 electric feed. You also need a client who's willing to fork over a few more bucks on the front end to save money and space on the back end.
Tankless water heaters are one of those products that manufacturers such as Rheem say pay for themselves over time. "The whole world — except us — heats their hot water tankless," says Jack Banker from Rheem. "It works." Check with Rheem for sizing and speccing a system right for your projects. And check with the IRS for the $300 tax credit for replacing a tank with a tankless unit
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