Tankless water heater for garage sink

lhfarm · Oct 7, 2011

I've done a search and read many of the notes on tankless/on-demand water heaters. Looking to replace the heater for my clean-up sink and for the rare outdoor shower use. I have a small (5 gallon) tank heater that has just died. Anyone have experience with the small 110V units?

I drain the lines during the coldest part of the winter. I have remove the tank unit from the wall, which is a real pain. I'm assuming I'd need to blow the lines for a tankless unit but that seems it much easier.

Comments and suggestions appreciated.

Thanks,

DeeDubya · Oct 7, 2011

I had a 110v tankless for a shop bathroom here at the office and it was pretty much worthless. Only luke-warm water and it died within a year. I'd say you need to look at the 230v units to get something decent.

EMB5530 · Oct 7, 2011

look at stiebel eltron and I recoment 240 volt
its more efficent
I have had 1 for about 5 years and love it
Things to look out for=HARD WATER just like any other water heater
Just flush every once in a while w/ vinegar and your good.
Ways to flush
cheep harbor freight pump+1 gallon jug+enough hose to run into and out of heater and recirculate the fluid for about 30 min
When you install the water heater install tee's and valves in line so as to easily do this

ttriff · Oct 7, 2011

If you have NG or propane in the garage I'd consider that as opposed to electricity

Our house uses a propane fueled Bosch tankless.

The only draw back to it is having the water run and run until the hot starts flowing, after that we have an unending supply of VERY hot water.

edmartin · Oct 7, 2011

I have a tankless unit from Titan that I purchased on Ebay for less than $200. It's worked great for the sink and shower in my shop, but it's 220v. The only pain was that the unit required at least 36" of copper on the inlet and outlet side. It sure saves over whatever type of tank unit you may use since it senses demand and gives me plenty of HOT water for as long as I need. Good luck!

EMB5530 · Oct 7, 2011

natural gas and propane are nice but w/ electric you do not have any vent to worry about so you can put it anywere

ultrarunner · Oct 7, 2011

I run a whole house from 2 electric tank-less... takes a while to fill the bath tub... other than that they work OK.. Units made by Siemens.

Still have to worry about freezing... did have one go when it got too cold... lucky it was still under warranty.

They are not 110v units.

What about one of those Insta-Hot units that run on 110 and have a heat setting adjustment?

KubotainNH · Oct 7, 2011

I wondered about adding these to my house but wonder what they cost to run. It would be nice not to have to run my oil fired furnace/water heater during the summer although it is pretty efficient. I know a normal tank electric water heater would cost more a month than what the oil costs me. We are a family of 5 with 3 teenagers so lots of showers. Thoughts on monthly electrical cost?

Archer EV · Oct 7, 2011

We have a 110 volt tankless water heater in a shop bathroom at work. It has been in use about two years now and serves well for that purpose. I don't recall the brand just now.

Kays Supply · Oct 7, 2011

I probably am going to get bad responses, but, I am a plumber. I have taken out more of the instant heaters than I have put in. There are probably good ones in the right places. They are just not for every situation. What I have seen the most problems with are the electric models. They just don't seem to hold up under the load. The other issues are with sizing correctly. An instant big enough to handle multiple bathrooms is pricey and takes a lot of maintence if the water is prone to deposits.