Replies

1. GBA Editor
   Martin Holladay | Dec 02, 2013 09:05am | #1

   Lissette,
   I don't think that there is a definitive answer to your question, but you are likely to hear a variety of opinions. For more information on tankless water heaters, you may want to read these articles:

   Are Tankless Water Heaters a Waste of Money?

   All About Water Heaters

   The Difference Between Storage and Tankless Water Heaters

2. Expert Member
   Dana Dorsett | Dec 02, 2013 12:00pm | #2

   All tankless HW heaters require maintenance. Most problems with tankless HW heaters stem from marginal or downright improper installation. Manufacturers with good distributor support that includes certification programs for the installers is a good start, and going with a manufacturer that has a history of good design & quality control counts too. It's a moving target, but the US as of a couple of years ago when considering these factors, the three most-likely vendors would be Rinnai & Noritz, with Takagi a distant third (due to less local distributor support- their phone support is pretty good though.)

   Rinnai is the world's largest manufacturer of gas-burning appliances for the home- hard to go too wrong with them, as long as your installer is fully up to snuff (factory certified, installing dozens per year.)

3. 
   vernacubuild | Jan 18, 2014 02:03am | #3

   I'm seriously considering the ECOSMART electric tankless for my new build as it will be all electric. What are your thoughts on those?

4. GBA Editor
   Martin Holladay | Jan 18, 2014 06:14am | #4

   Andre,
   I honestly don't know. However, it's possible to find negative reviews of the EcoSmart electric tankless units on the Web:
   http://www.terrylove.com/forums/showthread.php?33354-Anyone-have-experience-with-EcoSmart-products

   One the other hand, the reviews on the Home Depot site are relatively positive:
   http://www.homedepot.com/p/EcoSmart-27-kW-Self-Modulating-5-3-GPM-Electric-Tankless-Water-Heater-ECO-27/203316218#.UtpjGqMo7hc