AboutCortez (cort) Cate Expertise I can answer most questions related to residential and commercial plumbing for buildings up to ten-stories in height. I have excellent knowledge of the UPC, Uniform Plumbing Code and UMC, Uniform Mechanical Code. In the event there is a question I am not sure of I will at least let you know what I think and try to give you realistic options. Some problems are unique and may not have a simple answer. In those cases I will try to give you all the variables I know of.
Experience Since 1972 a California licensed B-1 General Building Contractor, C-36 Plumbing and C-16 Fire Sprinkler Contractor; also installing and servicing Heating, Air Conditioning and Sheet Metal operating as C and C Building and Plumbing, California State License 279516. In 1995 I downsized the company to become semi-retired. Still I remain active in the construction industry.
As head of a company I placed personnel and job safety as the number one objective followed closely by training and continuing education. Always seeking to stay informed of leading edge technology in the industry.
Also I have spent several years as an Apprenticeship Instructor in the Pipe Trades Unions.
Additionally I am a certified OSHA instructor.
Jimbo wrote at 2007-08-08 17:32:27
Tankless water heaters can be used for the entire house. They have been used in Europe and Japan for decades. In fact you can use multiple hot water appliances at once and experience little to no loss in flow rate, so calling them point of use products is misinformed.
Steve wrote at 2008-12-28 03:09:07
You could use a tankless water heater with a recirc pump, if you use a time lag switch on the recirc pump. Many recirc pumps use timers or thermostats, and as Cort indicates, this is not suitable for a tankless heater, as it just turns your pipes into a tank, which is very inefficient.
However, if you put a pump on a time lag switch (that is set to run for say 3 minutes), when you walk into the bathroom (say) to get hot water, you push a button and when the button goes off, there is hot water waiting for you. In this manner, the tankless heater only goes on when you're using it, just like normal.
This isn't as convenient as some other systems, but it will save a lot of water, which for me is the point of these units.
Good luck,
Steve
me-again77 wrote at 2009-01-13 18:12:22
Cort, you mention that you can think of no pump system that would work satisfactorily with a tankless water heaters,but their are recirculating pumps specifically designed for use with tankless water heaters,a so-called "auto-circ". The model I looked at was more than $400, so, would seem to be the "expensive pump system" that the plumber mentioned in the original question. Are you familiar with these pumps? Is there a reason that they won't work? I'm sorry that I can't remember the exact name of the product but the search was something basic, like, "Auto-circs for tankless water heaters" Thanks again.
jermahed wrote at 2009-03-09 11:57:10
you can pipe the demand heater into a 10 gal electric water heater. Use the thermostat in the water heater to control a small 1/4 hp taco pump to keep pressure. I'm looking for the article I read this procedure.. but it is said to help. Materials cost $400-450.
