OK, now I know why my shower was cold this morning - water heater died (just 7 years old, too! Warranty expired 2 years ago). Anyway, my green side wants to get a tankless (heating water on demand). I've been researching and see there are local rebates and federal tax credits to be had (Thank u Obama!!).. Now to my questions:

If you have a THWH - gas or electric? Can you tell me the maker and model? Did you need any special work done for installation (like changing a gas line or adding more power?). Have you been happy with it? I have heard that Rinnai seems to be a good name? What about Kenmore? Does your heater keep up with your needs? If you don't mind sharing, can you tell me the approximate cost? How long is your warranty for? Did you need a "specialized" installer (someone beyond your average plumber?).

Thank you in advance for any info you can help me with - cold showers are no fun

You say your WH 'died'. Is it leaking? Has a plumber looked at it yet? It might just need a new heating rod. They're fairly simple - and inexpensive - to replace.

We just replaced our electric water heater because our old one caught fire (it really did die!) We don't have the option to go with a gas WH and considered a tankless but our hot water demand is too great. A tankless wouldn't keep up. So we went with an energy efficient electric. It isn't as efficient as a gas WH, but it is much better than our old electric.

In other words, 'green-wise' there might be a compromise.

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We looked into a tankless, and the electrician told us that one with the capacity for our house would draw as much power every time it was activated as running every single appliance in the house simultaneously. It would actually use MORE power than the electric tank heater we have now.

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Good questions!! Yes, it is leaking, and it has hit the 7 year mark - I never knew that this is a typical lifetime for a WH. Plumber is coming to look at it and pronounce it "dead" - thanks for the point!! Bascically when we described the problem to him over the phone and he heard it was leaking he decalred it dead! I will ask about a new rod, though, very good point and thanks! I've now discovered that we need to do a survey for a tankless and we would get a gas not electric model... saga to continue.. cold showers to contine, but hey, at least it is not the middle of winter

Also a point for you, did you look into rebates for your new model ... here is a link I found that might be helpful in identifying if you are eligible for rebate/tax credit

Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency : ENERGY STAR

I do appreciate any other feedback from any of you with a tankless - TY in advance.

My neighbor got one & likes it. He bought it at Costco & installed it himself. That's all I know about it, sorry. I planned to talk to him more when it was time for us to replace ours.

I can't believe 7 years is the typical life of one of those. We've lived in our home for 9 years & the HWH was here years before us. My mom died when I was 35 & she only had hers replaced once in all those years.

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My house has had the same HWH for 15 years now. *knocking on wood* It still runs and have never had an issue with it. But there have always just been 2 people living in the house.

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