Quote:
Originally Posted by Daox
Any hints/tips would be appreciated.
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I've had a Bosch tankless for about 17 years, as I recall.
Mine uses D-cells and a step-up transformer to make it's spark. I had the transformer go out in the first year. They replaced it VERY FAST and I have had no problem with the electrics since then.
Things to keep in mind:
- You need massive gas flow when it runs. Check out the BTU rating of your unit, and make sure that the gas line is of sufficient diameter to supply that BTU rate. That was important for Nat. Gas... I suppose you're using propane, don't know if that's an issue for you.
- Your unit comes with a wire grid 'filter' to keep out chunks. I would advise a pre-filter, in other words, dedicate a 'whole house' water filter to your tankless. You shouldn't need to change the filter element very often because the water volume will be fairly low. A whole house filter shouldn't give you much pressure drop... which is good. Keep the tankless innards free of crud and your unit will last you a really long time.
- A tankless is NOT an 'instant on' water heater. some sales folk will call it instant on, but it does require a brief warm up. You'll just have to get used to it, and plan for it by...
- Mount your tankless as close as possible to the most frequently used water source, not the largest volume water source (For me the most frequent was the kitchen sink). This will greatly reduce the wait times and water volume while you wait. You might also want to run 3/8 PEX or similar to the most frequent hot source, to reduce the water volume from warm up. In many of the foreign films I have seen, the tankless is mounted right above the kitchen sink, right where it belongs.
- Consider the possibility that you Bosch tankless (which really is very nice) is a whole house water heater and is actually too large, and that a better solution might be to have several smaller cheaper tankless units at each point of use. I have not... I'm still waiting for my Bosch to die... I've been waiting 17 years now.
- Be sure to build in flushing connectors (I used CPVC hose bibs) and isolation valves I used (CPVC ball valves) when you install the unit. Flushing with white vinegar should be done yearly and takes about a half hour, if you have installed the valves & connectors.
- When you use a DHW tank, the philosophy is to keep the storage temp hot, and mix in cold for a larger effective hot volume. Since your tankless will never run out, make your hot temp lower... equal to the highest temp you will use. For me that's shower temperature, I like about 103F (no cold water in the mix). Tankless units build up scale faster, the hotter they are used, so it is to your benefit to run your unit cooler... don't deny your self of hot water, just tweak the temp, and you'll be happy and so will your tankless. I have found that I need to make occasional, modest seasonal temp tweaks... maybe once in the early fall (hotter just a tad), once in mid-spring (cooler just a tad).
Here's the flushing procedure... the guy's kind of a dweeb, but he knows how to flush.
My tankless is 17 years old... it's still working, but I need to replace a $35 valve... should be good for another 17 years.
... and did I say I've saved a heap of money in the meantime?
-AC_Hacker