A homeowner who spent $1,200 switching to a tankless water heater was left questioning the upgrade after hot water took significantly longer to reach their farthest bathroom.
A two- to three-minute wait for hot water had become part of the morning routine; before the replacement, the delay was only 10 to 15 seconds.
Here's what to know
The 5,500-square-foot house relies on a tankless water heater, according to the homeowner's post in Reddit's r/homeowners community. The switch followed a leak in the previous 75-gallon heater, which had lasted 26 years.
The shower also required two to three minutes of running water before it felt warm. "By then I'm done brushing my teeth and still waiting for hot water," the homeowner wrote.
The homeowner raised two possibilities: returning to a 75-gallon tank, or adding a recirculation pump to address the delay. Their verdict on the replacement was zero out of 10.
Upgrading to a heat pump water heater, a separate option from the homeowner's tankless installation, can offer potential energy bill savings.
More background
Location made a difference for a commenter who is an RX199 owner in a 1,650-square-foot home. Their kitchen, directly above the utility room, had hot water in 15 to 20 seconds, compared with roughly 45 seconds at the farthest bathroom.
Another commenter's home setup included an AMH3K-RN on-demand recirculation kit without a dedicated return line. They recommended placing a pump beneath the sink on the farthest branch to keep warm water in the main hot-water pipe.
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To avoid operating during their usual sleeping hours, that commenter used a timer. The kit connected to the hot- and cold-water lines under the sink and, they said, ran quietly.
What can be done?
A thermal bypass valve comes with Rinnai's RX2RXPCK internal add-on recirculation pump conversion kit, according to one commenter, who suggested the original poster ask about that kit for their system. About two minutes before showering, that commenter wirelessly activates recirculation on their RXP199. Its pump is built in, and their installer placed a bypass valve beneath the farthest sink. Hot water then arrived with almost no wait.
"Our house is similar in size to yours, and the recirculating system works great!" the commenter wrote.
For homeowners considering a different replacement option, Cala makes smart heat pump water heaters. Its customizable smart heat pump water heaters can help homeowners decrease their energy bills by heating water exactly when it is needed.
That makes Cala another option to consider when energy costs are a priority.
Where can I learn more?
Other homeowners have run into similar hot water delays and unexpected replacement costs.
• A homeowner's tankless recirculation system still left them facing two-minute waits for showers.
• A homeowner found tankless and tank heaters priced alike, but plumbers flagged installation costs.
• A homeowner considering electric tankless heating learned a pricey panel upgrade could be necessary.
• A homeowner facing a $4,200 water heater quote questioned whether tankless justified spending more.
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