Hot water heater help

[Gatorgirl]

OK, looking for some reviews.  Our electric hot water heater will soon be meeting it's maker, hopefully it will last until after the first of the year.

 

Wondering what would be the best to replace it.  We have gas heat so we can run gas lines to the room where it is located.  Does anyone have any experience with the tankless water heaters or the hybrid water heaters?  Any input would be appreciated.

[JohnnyQuest]

I do Girly....i am a plumbing and heating contractor...i have installed five heat on demand tanks in the last month...you only use what you turn on the tap for...i as well put one in last year...and saved almost 80 bucks a month on hydro...remember your hot water tank is 30 percent of your electric bill...as well they take up zero space and mount usually on the wall..a really good decision i made and the water is always hot and doesn't run out after doing laundry having a shower and such...if i were you i would go that route..as it will save you a lot of cash in the long run...now they are a bit more expensive that the usual tanks with elements....a hot  tank will work all day keeping your temp at what you have your thermostats on the tank set to...and as well GG if you do put in another hot water tank system make sure that both top and bottom elements are set exactly the same so that one doesn't work harder than the other one...as it will burn out your elements and cause the tank to have hot water only at the top of the tank and will work overtime to constantly keep the water at that set temps...good luck girl ...that is what i would do in your situation,,,i hope you do put in the heat on demand as it will save you a lot in the long run...as well you can go to a high effeciency hwt ...but in my experience they too can get a leak as same as the electric ones

Edited December 8, 2013 by JohnnyQuest

[Gatorgirl]

Thanks Johhny.  Is it worth the expense to run the gas lines and put in a gas one or will the electric be ok?  Can you recommend a model?

[JohnnyQuest]

i would run the gas lines which is no expense hardly...unless you have a contractor you don't know....make sure you let him know that you have a friend in Canada with his gf 2 license...and he advised you..black iron pipe is usually used here..but a flex line can be used off of the main header to the appliance...brands are mostly the same with that type of technology as they are all in competition ..myself i use the rinnai brands for the tankless systems...cascade is a good choice and is usually the cadilac of heaters here,,,if you can stay away from electric do so as i said before they really use quite a bit of electricity maintaining the temperature that it is set to via the elements...electricity here is an arm and a leg  so the less electric appliances i have the better...just me GG but that is the route i would take,as well the tankless systems are about two feet by three feet wall mounted..and the hot water tanks gas or electric are quite big...let me know what you decide to do ...if i was there i would put one in for cost for you but the distance prevents me,,,,just make sure you are well educated about the contractor you decide to use...

Edited December 8, 2013 by JohnnyQuest

[Gatorgirl]

Thank you so much Johnny!!!

[JohnnyQuest]

You are welcome GG....if you have any questions don't hesitate to drop me a p.m