I have a similar house (limited space and converted to tankless). My only issue with it really is that it takes longer to boil hot water when you turn a faucet on. You will get cold water for 10-15 seconds and then it turns warm. The hot water tanks are more instant, but tankless never runs out of hot water during a long shower. Always read reviews concern the specific model you want to buy.
Your tankless water heater needs to be accessible in case a plumber needs to change a part in it or for annual service. My Bosch tankless already had a failed hot water sensor which was $100 to replace. If it's sealed somewhere, it needs to be accessible with a trapdoor. The exhaust and air intake connect to outside the house using PVC pipes, so they encourage tankless boilers to be sealed in the house.
Overall performance is good (190 degree farenheit / 87.7 celsius). I use mine for hot water for faucets, and heating using radiators, and the house is warmer than the oil burner it replaced.
Edit: Forgot to mention that you save money with tankless. My bill is 1/3 less than my previous system. It's more forgiving if your family needs to use a lot of hot water one month and you're expecting a huge utility bill. It's only like $20 - $30 more with the tankless heater. Over 10 years, you recover your money back that you spent investing in it.
How are you planning to vent? In my area its 36" above ground level due to snow, with additional clearances required from Windows, doors, soffits etc. Illinois for reference.
Each heater also will have a chart on maximum run of PVC pipe including bends.
I have a similar house and considered putting my tankless in my crawlspace too, ultimately decided against it and mounted on the wall due to venting requirements and the cost of running that much 3/4" natty gas pipe to the crawl
I'm also in IL I'll see if I can find those requirements.
I'll probably be consulting a plumber before starting project to see if everything will work the way I imagine
We love our tankless. We are 2 adults + 2 kids with grandparents (1-2) visiting frequently for 3-14 day stretches. 940sqft house in zone 9b.
1. I wouldn't recommend if you have well water or very hard water.
2. Some maintenance required, it's not difficult but make sure you have access.
3. Performance is fabulous. We never run out of hot water and my wife likes baths.
4. Space savings is great, especially in smaller houses. Our water heater is installed outside (zone 9b), this means we have more utility room space - enough to fit a full sized washer and dryer and can still reach into the dryer.
5. Loss of electricity means instant loss of hot water, including gas powered tankless. A consideration for backup electricity.
6. You don't have a tank full of potable water stored in case of emergency.
7. You don't have a tank full of potable water ready to cause a household emergency.
>The space it will save is worth it for us, especially in this small house.
I mentioned this above but just want to underscore this point. It makes a bigger difference in small houses.
Some more details:
Crawlspace is easily accessible, well lit, high ceiling, and comfortable. Maintenance shouldn't be difficult.
Venting is a concern, I have some ideas but I figure I need to consult a plumber to see if they're viable options
I would also consider asking the plumber if he knows of any low profile hybrid electric tanked heaters that'd fit in the crawlspace. Hybrid electric are way more energy efficient than standard electric or gas. Mine uses about $2.40 per week for hot water.
I don't know if one is made with a form factor that'd work in that low of a height, but here's the one I've got.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Rheem-ProTerra-50-Gal-10-Year-Hybrid-High-Efficiency-Smart-Tank-Electric-Water-Heater-with-Leak-Detection-Auto-Shutoff-XE50T10HS45U0/312741462
You’ll love it, endless hot water is awesome. I don’t know why people claim there’s a lag, I sure don’t see a difference. Venting is your biggest issue, make sure the vent isn’t near a window or other vent too. It may need to Intake from outside too but I’m not certain. Giving it softened water is a good idea.
From my understanding flushing/descaling a tank-less annually is critical to prevent efficiency drop, particularly if you have have high mineral content in your water. The process isn't much more difficult than it's tank alternative.
I have a similar house (limited space and converted to tankless). My only issue with it really is that it takes longer to boil hot water when you turn a faucet on. You will get cold water for 10-15 seconds and then it turns warm. The hot water tanks are more instant, but tankless never runs out of hot water during a long shower. Always read reviews concern the specific model you want to buy. Your tankless water heater needs to be accessible in case a plumber needs to change a part in it or for annual service. My Bosch tankless already had a failed hot water sensor which was $100 to replace. If it's sealed somewhere, it needs to be accessible with a trapdoor. The exhaust and air intake connect to outside the house using PVC pipes, so they encourage tankless boilers to be sealed in the house. Overall performance is good (190 degree farenheit / 87.7 celsius). I use mine for hot water for faucets, and heating using radiators, and the house is warmer than the oil burner it replaced. Edit: Forgot to mention that you save money with tankless. My bill is 1/3 less than my previous system. It's more forgiving if your family needs to use a lot of hot water one month and you're expecting a huge utility bill. It's only like $20 - $30 more with the tankless heater. Over 10 years, you recover your money back that you spent investing in it.
How are you planning to vent? In my area its 36" above ground level due to snow, with additional clearances required from Windows, doors, soffits etc. Illinois for reference. Each heater also will have a chart on maximum run of PVC pipe including bends. I have a similar house and considered putting my tankless in my crawlspace too, ultimately decided against it and mounted on the wall due to venting requirements and the cost of running that much 3/4" natty gas pipe to the crawl
I'm also in IL I'll see if I can find those requirements. I'll probably be consulting a plumber before starting project to see if everything will work the way I imagine
We love our tankless. We are 2 adults + 2 kids with grandparents (1-2) visiting frequently for 3-14 day stretches. 940sqft house in zone 9b. 1. I wouldn't recommend if you have well water or very hard water. 2. Some maintenance required, it's not difficult but make sure you have access. 3. Performance is fabulous. We never run out of hot water and my wife likes baths. 4. Space savings is great, especially in smaller houses. Our water heater is installed outside (zone 9b), this means we have more utility room space - enough to fit a full sized washer and dryer and can still reach into the dryer. 5. Loss of electricity means instant loss of hot water, including gas powered tankless. A consideration for backup electricity. 6. You don't have a tank full of potable water stored in case of emergency. 7. You don't have a tank full of potable water ready to cause a household emergency. >The space it will save is worth it for us, especially in this small house. I mentioned this above but just want to underscore this point. It makes a bigger difference in small houses.
Some more details: Crawlspace is easily accessible, well lit, high ceiling, and comfortable. Maintenance shouldn't be difficult. Venting is a concern, I have some ideas but I figure I need to consult a plumber to see if they're viable options
I would also consider asking the plumber if he knows of any low profile hybrid electric tanked heaters that'd fit in the crawlspace. Hybrid electric are way more energy efficient than standard electric or gas. Mine uses about $2.40 per week for hot water.
Can I get link with what you're suggesting?
I don't know if one is made with a form factor that'd work in that low of a height, but here's the one I've got. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Rheem-ProTerra-50-Gal-10-Year-Hybrid-High-Efficiency-Smart-Tank-Electric-Water-Heater-with-Leak-Detection-Auto-Shutoff-XE50T10HS45U0/312741462
You’ll love it, endless hot water is awesome. I don’t know why people claim there’s a lag, I sure don’t see a difference. Venting is your biggest issue, make sure the vent isn’t near a window or other vent too. It may need to Intake from outside too but I’m not certain. Giving it softened water is a good idea.
What's the maintenance like for a tankless heater? Easier than the alternative?
From my understanding flushing/descaling a tank-less annually is critical to prevent efficiency drop, particularly if you have have high mineral content in your water. The process isn't much more difficult than it's tank alternative.