Have found a better mousetrap. My builder friend and I installed a Takagi TK-2 natural gas on demand hot water heater last month and our family loves it. It's a beautifully made thing about the size of a small suitcase that hangs on the inside wall of our house and heats water only as needed, saving significant bucks on gas. RCM types will probably fall in love with the copper heat exchanger and numerous gadgets used to monitor flow. The onboard computer is smart enough to talk to a separate thermostat so you can diagnose any problems that may arise. Total cost, including installation was around $1,500. However, our monthly electric bills have decreased about $70 for a family of four since we ditched the old electric water heater. Payback should be a couple of years from this view. Takagi and the folks who sell them say that the TK-2 is the first on demand heater that will let you run three applications at once, such as shower, dishwasher, washing machine. In practice, I think the TK-2 is actually the first residential on demand heater that will let run two. One thing you might consider whenever installing some of these new smart appliances is a bad ass surge protector. I like the "Brick Wall" ones made by a small company in San Diego. They're expensive but strike me (pun) as a whole lot more reliable than the $19.95 item from Circuit City.
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20 years ago