HELP!!! Gas water heater in crawl gone TU

Mongo

Mongo

Joined
Nov 5, 2001
Messages
8,969
Howdy all. First off... let me start this by saying NEVER BUY A HOUSE WITH A GAS HOT WATER HEATER IN A CRAWL SPACE! As you can surmise, this is the set-up I have. And my hot water heater has gone TU on me. Apparently nobody makes a shortie gas hot water heater that will fit in a crawl anymore.
So, my dilemma is do I add an electric HWH at the same site? I'd have to get an electrician to run 220 to that spot. Not cheap either. Looking at approx $1200 for the plumber part, not sure what the electrician part will cost.

Or, have a gas water heater put in elsewhere. I have a laundry room that is somewhat cramped, but may be doable. Bad part is that there will have to be a hole cut through the side of my house for the vent to the outside. Apparently one cannot vent into the chimney anymore.

Has anyone with any experience and/or opinions on the tankless models? Both gas (preferred) and electric.

Thanks all in advance for your answers.
Mongo
 
I was going to suggest investigating the possibility of using a tankless water heater. A typical installation usually doesn't require too much in the way of water line replumbing. My only (minimal) exposure has been to the gas variety. Occasionally these gas units require a larger diameter gas line than that which is normally found running throughout the house, so be sure that the potential cost of doing a little gas line replumbing is also factored in.
 
I was also thinking that it's common practice here in Cali for houses to be built with a small water heater enclosure tacked on to the outside of the house. I don't know if the weather in Ill would make such a solution possible. You'd still be looking at some gas and water line replumbing, but it would make the venting problem much easier to solve.
 
If I lost my gas in crawl again, I would do what I did again, moved it, todays plumbing with TEX makes running lines a snap. Find a location somewhere, then run the new lines. Gas down here is soooo much cheaper to operate than electric. Good Luck on the move or your final decision. My lines were more than 75 ft from original location, while you are at it. Install a circulation pump to circulate your hot water, insulate them and you will have even more hot water and instant availability of hot water. Just a simple return from the far point of hot water needed.

Just my 2 cents,
no change needed

James Todd
 
Mongo said:
Howdy all. First off... let me start this by saying NEVER BUY A HOUSE WITH A GAS HOT WATER HEATER IN A CRAWL SPACE! As you can surmise, this is the set-up I have. And my hot water heater has gone TU on me.
Click to expand...

Definitely look at tankless. A thing not much bigger than a breadbox ... does anyone actually have a breadbox anymore?... a think not much bigger than a microwave oven (that's better) will replace your whole tank unit. It's not only smaller, but it saves energy AND they typically have 15 year warranties.

They do need some electricity, though, typically 120V at a few amps. They'll need an external vent (I don't think code will let you vent into the crawl space). And be sure to get one that's got enough capacity for your house.

The other option is to go with multiple tankless electric heaters in the crawlspace. A typical powder room requires a think the size of a cigar box. A typical bathroom with shower requires a thing not much bigger than a shoe box. The advantage of multiple electric units is that because they're mounted right under the room where the water is used, you get hot water almost instantly when you turn on a tap.
 
I looked at a on demand tankless gas but the cost was higher then expected, especially when we wanted a higher flow rate. we went electric which was easy to install, though it has a higher cost per month.

I like G's tankless electric idea.
 
Dangittttt... I can talk to 10 people about this, and get at least 6 or 7 different opinions. And I'm talking about people who know a heck alot more about stuff like this than me. Makes me want to beat my head against a brick wall in frustration. All I know is that I will be taking a testicle shrinkingly cold shower tomorrow morning.:grumpy:
 
I owned a brand new house with a wall mounted gas heater in the laundry room that gave instanaeous hot water and was very efficient. It is also cheaper as you are only heating water prior to using it and not storing hot water in a tank until needed.
 
The good tankless hot water heaters will set you back initially, but they will pay for themselves in energy savings a few years down the road. You can get one that is about the size of a two drawer file cabinet that will supply hot water on demand for your whole house. Home Depot used to carry Bosch when I was a manager there, and they had models all the way up to big enough to run four showers at once. Great warranty, and Home Depot is currently offering 12 months same as cash on purchases over 299. Don't forget also that it's home depot, so if you don't like it in a few months, you can make them eat it. (as a manager I really hated that aspect sometimes, but it sure is nice for peace of mind as a consumer) Just my thoughts for what they are worth.
 
wow
the appliances over there in the us are ridiculously expensive
the tankless heaters (or so-called instant heaters) are like, 250 sgd over here
that's about 170 usd
installation is about 200 sgd give or take
15A power point, depending on the mains location, say 200?

the storage (ie tank) heaters are hotter, have higher flow rates but will suck you dry for juice because everytime you turn it on, you heat the entire tank
and when you turn it off, you waste all the energy used to heat up the water
AND if god forbid you leave it on during winter, say hi to skyhigh power bills
 
I went through this exact problem a few weeks ago. It was frustrating and very expensive. I opted to go with a aqua-hut which is a metal shelter that the water heater goes inside of. My lines were set through the foundation and it sits right next to my gas pack. It actually looks good, but they are expensive...total price for labor and materials $1,600.00:eek:
 
Go Tankless. Heating and cooling costs will Never ever ever go down. That old phrase "Pay now OR pay later" really applies here. Oh, and about that crawlspace (Subfloor), If there is anything I know, it is these. I keep 4 tyvex suits in my vehicle weekly for those nasty places. I cant tell you how many fires cause and origin can be traced to there. 1st of course is your dryer vents,have em cleaned twice a year.
 
first of all, there are gas water heaters for short crawl spaces,

Second, it is a dirt floor, you can make it lower if you do not have water table issues.

Get a Graingers catalog or go looking yourself for their website.

If you are paying 1300 or so to get a water heater replaced you're getting a KY lube special. should be no more than 300 over the cost of the water heater AT the most.

its a two hour job. You have a supply (cold) and feed (hot) and a gas hookup, plus re fastening the exhaust hood. Two solder connections, one soft copper flare connection and a few sheet metal screws. That is IT>

grainger has a couple that only require 50 inches in clearance, some less.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top