Hank Goes Tankless

California kitchen and bath designers have long known Hank Darlington, long-time owner of The Plumbery plumbing supply stores, and currently a nationally known sales trainer, author and speaker. In 2004, he was inducted in the National Kitchen and Bath Association Hall of Fame.

Hank recently changed out his tank-type water heater for a tankless unit; and details his decisions and the installation on the Rheem web site.

Tankless hot water heaters make good green sense, both physically and economically. By heating water only as it is used, they save the cost of keeping 40-80 gallons of water hot in a tank.

Having a recirculating system installed at the same time gives users hot water in 2-3 seconds every time they turn on the tap. That saves water.

Tankless water heaters can often be mounted on the outside of your home here in California, freeing up the space previously dedicated to the old tank unit, and shortening the piping runs to your kitchen and bath fixtures.

Even if you install the unit where the old tank was, you'll gain space because the tankless water heaters are so much smaller.

Hank installed his in his garage in the same location as his old tank unit because of restrictions by his city. I would go the outside route myself, and plan to do so when our current water heater reaches the end of its life.

I also note that the October 2008 edition of Qualified Remodeler Magazine's list of Remodeler's Choice 100 Products (These are the hottest products that generated the most interest and inquiries from readers)was very heavy with tankless water heaters.

Peggy