6/30/2011

Bosch 2400ES NG AquaStar 6.4 GPM Indoor Tankless Natural Gas Water Heater Review

Bosch 2400ES NG AquaStar 6.4 GPM Indoor Tankless Natural Gas Water Heater
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I wanted to write an honest review of this product since I couldn't find much online about on-demand hot water heaters. Our tank broke, flooding the basement, and we wanted to look into alternative ways to heat our water efficiently. We're in Boston and the tap water here is about 45 degrees.
The way this works is that when you turn on the hot water in the house, the unit senses the water flow and begins to heat up a set of pipes inside. As the water passes through, it's heated to about 122 degrees.
The pros:
- It works normally, just like before. I turn on hot water, I get hot water.
- You don't experience any standby losses of having a tank - Gas is only used when you are actually using hot water saving both money and energy.
- The water is very hot in the shower. We can also use the dishwasher OR the washing machine with the shower. All three would probably not work well.
- There's no footprint. You put this on the wall, and it's vented outside.
- If something breaks, you replace a part rather than the entire tank, saving time and money.
- If it breaks, there's no flooding!
- We received rebates from both the gas company and from the federal government through a tax credit for the "green" purchase.
The cons:
- It costs more than a traditional tank to both purchase and install. We paid about $1000 for the unit itself, and an additional $1000 to have it installed. We had to have someone drill a new vent (both out and intake), put in stainless steel and PVC piping, and re-route the hot water in our basement.
- It takes a few seconds to up to a minute for the water to heat up.
- It's more difficult to make incremental changes to water temperature.
- You cannot get a "trickle" of hot water. The unit needs a certain flow to start in order not to damage pipes.
All in all, we're extremely happy with this unit since the cons were more a matter of up front cost (but we'll save down the road) and lifestyle changes.

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Eemax SP55 "Single Point" Electric Tankless Water Heater Review

Eemax SP55 Single Point Electric Tankless Water Heater
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I'm glad someone found this useful -- not me. I found lots of problems with mine:
1. There's a 3 second delay, causing a huge cold water sandwich, i.e., if you shut it off, or adjust it and it drops below the minimum flow, you'll get a huge wave of cold water for about six seconds, 3 for the delay, 3 more to warm up.
2. No more warm water trickle. In order to get half warm, half cold, you need to adjust the flow to 1.4 gallons/minute, hardly a small flow. The heater will not turn on unless 0.7 gpm flows in the hot water side.
3. Adjustment of temperature is a major job -- you need to shut off the dedicated breaker, remove the plate, and guess at where you want the setting, put the cover back on, restore the breaker. Then repeat the process until the temperature is correct.
4. It requires a dedicated 220 V 40 amp (for my model) line, an expensive item to install. And flourescent lights will flicker just a bit when the heater is on.
We like to wash small cups, silver, or a single dish or two by turning on a small warm or hot flow and rinsing, soaping, and rinsing in one stage, using a small amount of water. Then if we find another dish, it's nice to find the water is still warm. We can turn off and not waste the water between small washings. We've developed this habit due to the occasional water rationing we get here in CA.
Not so with the Eemax... Once you shut it off, you won't see hot water again for about 6 seconds. That's a lot of water down the drain. In general, this system is a huge water waster.
We find ourselves either scalding our hands, or washing in cold water. We paid for a new dedicated 220v line and breaker, and installation, which took a couple of days and cost a couple of grand. It was a collosal waste to buy this for a kitchen. I wouldn't want it in my bathroom either, no more running trickles of water for shaving, and either scalded hands or cold water washes.
The only good thing it does is provide the dish washer with very hot water. It works fine there, and I suppose I'll leave it there. But I'll have to add a small tank now for the hot water tap.
I suppose if you like to fill a sink with hot water for the wash, and again for the rinse, it might work for you. If that's always the way you work.
Save your money. Use a small tank for kitchen or bathroom, use the 110 volt existing line, and forget Eemax and equivalents!

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The Eemax SP55 "Single Point" Electric Tankless Water Heater.The Eemax SP55 "Single Point" Electric Tankless Water Heater to serve one commercial type sink as found in public hand washing areas, modular buildings and offices, strip malls, service stations and concession stands.Eemax SP55 "Single Point" Electric Tankless Water Heater Applications:; Shopping Malls ; Office and Tenant Spaces ; Commercial Buildings (restaurants, etc.) ; Modular Buildings/Modular Offices ; Public Hand Washings ; Service Stations ; Schools ; Concession Stands ; Various "Point-Of-Use" NeedsEemax SP55 "Single Point" Electric Tankless Water Heater Features:; On Demand Hot Water - no delay. ; Cut Energy Waste -flow switch activates heater only on demand (no standby heat loss). ; Continuous Hot Water - no storage capacity to run out. Reduces Installation Cost - no T & P relief valve needed (check local codes). ; Easy Installation - only one cold water line need be brought to lavatory - integral 3/8" compression fittings on top (no sweat connections). Mounts on wall at point-of-use. ; Flow Restrictor Faucet Aerator - with excellent spray pattern supplied with unit. ; Hands Free - sensor and metering faucet compatible. ; Prevents Legionella Bacteria Growth ; Designed for Durability - constructed of high strength reinforced "ENGINEERING PLASTIC" ; Ni Chrome Element - a unique, patented flow path ensures optimum heat transfer and extended element life. ; Compact Size - dimensions 10.75"x5.25"x2.125"; Reduces Calcification. ; Space Saving Installation - under sink, point-of-use. ; Field Serviceable Element - replaceable cartridge element ; Complies with handicap requirements. Eemax SP55 "Single Point" Electric Tankless Water Heater Specifications:; Volts - 240V; KW - 5.5kW; Amps - 22.9A; Rise at 0.5 GPM - 75;F; Wire Size AWG - 10; Dimensions - 10.75" x 5.25" x 2.125" ; Weight - 3 lbs ; Element - Replaceable cartridge insert ; Connections: 3/8" compression at top of unit* The voltage, amp

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6/29/2011

Cash Acme U3088FLEX12 Flexible Water Heater Connector Review

Cash Acme U3088FLEX12 Flexible Water Heater Connector
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Hello,
I purchased this product from The Home Depot when I purchased and installed a new water heater. As usual, the sharkbite (Cash Acme) fitting was s breeze to install. However, approximatively 6 months from the time of installation, we started noticing black pieces of rubber coming from the hot water in the bath tub while giving our kids baths. I thought the valve seal washers were going out, so I replaced them, but they were good. Traced the problem back to the hot water tank and eventually found that the rubber lining inside the sharkbite hot water heater line was deteriorating. I went back to the Depot and had a look at the shartbite hot water heater line and compared it to the other threaded by threaded braided lines. The sharkbite was lined with black rubber just like you'd find in a garden hose. No way suitable for extended potable hot water service. The other threaded by threaded line was poly lined (white polyethylene).
Below are a couple links to pictures I took of the failed sharkbike fitting. This is really surprising that they'd build this product like this. I've used sharkbite fittings on several occasions and have had nothing but good things to say. But this time, Cash Acme got it wrong. This product is defective and needs to be pulled from the shelves and a new lining needs to be designed and installed on future products.
[...]

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SharkBite is the Push Fit connection system thats really taking hold. It's the easiest way to join copper, CPVC, or PEX pipe in any combination with no soldering, clamps, unions, or glue. Just insert the pipe and the stainless steel teeth bite down and grip tight, while a specially formulated O ring compresses to create a perfect seal. Disassembly is just as fast using the simple disconnect tool. So fittings and valves can be easily changed and reused. They can even be rotated after assembly for easier installation in tight spaces. 3 4'' x 3 4'' F.I.P. Available in 4 different sizes. No. U3088FLEX12: 12'' No. U3088FLEX15: 15'' No. U3088FLEX18: 18'' No. U3088FLEX24: 24''

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Tankless Water Heater by Noritz - N-0751M-NG in N/A Review

Tankless Water Heater by Noritz - N-0751M-NG in N/A
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I purchased a Noritz tankless heater 18 months ago. They told me I would be getting hot water faster. This was not true. It takes four times longer to get hot water. My water bills have gone up. It's very frustrating waiting and waiting to get hot water. The unit is noisy and can be heard on the upper level of my house. The hot water sometimes turns cold and I'm told this is common with Noritz heaters. It exhausts into the backyard and nearby windows cannot be opened because of the toxic fumes. I plan on having it replaced soon.

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Tankless Water Heater - Natural Gas.

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6/28/2011

Thermwell Products Wtr Heater Blanket Sp57-5 Water Heater Accessories Review

Thermwell Products Wtr Heater Blanket Sp57-5 Water Heater Accessories
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Well, I don't know what I was expecting but I have not seen a change in my electricity bill! So now I'm wondering why I bought it but it was really easy to wrap around the water heater although the tape that was supplied could have been easier to deal with!

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1-1/2' x 48' x 75' Water Heater Blanket, Fits Up to 60 Gallon Tank (R-5), Bagged.

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6/27/2011

Rheem RTG-74PVN Indoor Natural Gas Tankless Water Heater for 2-3 Bathroom Homes Review

Rheem RTG-74PVN Indoor Natural Gas Tankless Water Heater for 2-3 Bathroom Homes
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As a service provider, here was a recent and typical service call on a 74 model. the customer lives 1 1/4 hr away, call Sat with an error code 11. this had been in service for 3 months and worked fine, then quite. Rheem requires as a service provider, that I call in, get a case number and proceed from there. They are available Sat for tech support but good luck waiting on the phone. I came back Monday, trip number two, talked through two levels of tech support. I didn't agree with their assessment and they sent an ignition module. Wed, trip three, I installed the part and it. I tried to explain, it was most likely a control board and gas valve combined problem and the tech, she didn't think so. after 9 commbined hors of driving and attempts at service, the customer was left with a still non functioning water heater. I've been working on these for about 30 years but when I have to work according to their at a distance analysis, reading a prompter, service fails. They do not have a system of regional parts available and are not willing to allow me to purchase and stock these.
so if you are considering purchasing a tankless water heater, a little due diligence with regards to service will save an enormous amount of heartburn...
Paloma and Rheem need to create a service network that supports those in the field who will be performing warranty work. Until that day arrives, I do not recommend these...

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6/26/2011

Indus-Tool Cozy Electric Foot Warming Pad #FW Review

Indus-Tool Cozy Electric Foot Warming Pad #FW
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I bought this last winter (2004), despite the many reviews warning about the odor emitted, and boy, do I regret it! I thought I could tough it out; most people said the horrible skunk smell would GO AWAY after some time, and, to me, warm feet would be worth a temporary annoyance. As some have suggested, I plugged this in the garage first, to try to burn off much of the odor before bringing it inside. I left it plugged in a large part of the day for about two weeks. The smell was definitely horrible, but I guess because our garage is very large, and far from airtight, the full extent of the noxious odor was not obvious, until I moved it into the office. In just a few minutes, the entire HOUSE smelled like a charred skunk. But it was more than a smell, it was a TASTE as well, and we coughed quite a bit if we tried to stay in the office with it, and I got a horrible headace. I turned it off and decided to give it another week in the garage, this time I left it plugged in all the time. The second try in the office was JUST as bad as the first, and at this point the mat had been "burning off" its smell for over 3 weeks! I stubbornly left the mat in the office for a week, forcing myself to use it, trying to adjust to or ignore the skunk that was attacking my nose with every breath. After all, it REALLY DID keep my feet nice and toasty warm. Finally I'd had it, I couldn't take it anymore. The headaches and permeating odor were simply not worth it. I took the thing and threw it in the garage, unplugged, where it remains to this day. I only wish I had been realistic and sent the thing back when I had the chance. It is an absolute nightmare. By the way, the reason I thought to write this review today is because when I sat down at my desk I was reminded of this mat , as I am every day, because I smelled the lingering, embedded stink of burning SKUNK that it left behind. And this is October 2005, nearly a year later and several carpet cleanings and after it briefly occupied this space. Does it warm your feet? Definitely. But you've been warned, it isn't worth it!

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As anyone who's been out in the cold knows, toasty feet go a long way toward keeping the rest of you warm. That’s why using an Indus-Tool FW Cozy Foot warmer can help reduce your indoor heating costs. At only 90 watts, one of these units tucked under a desk allows you to turn the building thermostat down, thereby saving you money. The warmer is less costly to use than a space heater, and safer, too, as there are no exposed heating coils or carbon monoxide emissions. ETL listed. Lifetime warranty.--Josh Dettweiler
What’s in the BoxFoot-warmer pad, power cord

Five Tips for Buying a HeaterChoosing a space heater is a matter of sifting through a bewildering array of types, power ratings, and fuel sources. Let’s break it down a little to make the process easier.

What are the different types of space heaters?
Radiant heaters emit infrared radiation that directly warms the objects in front of the heaters (rather than the surrounding air). If you only need heat by a desk or in a small section of a room, a radiant heater is quiet and will use very little power.
Forced-air heaters use a fan to blow air that has been warmed by metal or ceramic heating elements. A forced-air heater is appropriate for quickly heating up a small- to medium-sized room, but can be noisy.
Convection heaters draw cold air from the floor; the air is warmed by heating coils and emitted from the top of the heater. A convection heater is appropriate for quickly heating up a small- to medium-sized room, but also can be noisy.
Radiators work by heating oil enclosed in a reservoir, gradually heating the surrounding air. If heating speed isn't an issue, you might want to opt for a radiator. These are extremely quiet and effective--perfect for bedrooms.


Should I buy an electric or a combustion model?If you want a heater that will be available in emergencies, or that can heat areas larger than a single room, choose a "combustion" model--one that is powered by a gas or fuel like propane, kerosene, natural gas, or diesel. Which fuel type you choose depends largely on convenience and local availability. For example, diesel would be appropriate for a heater you take with you on long car trips.

How powerful a heater do I need?Heaters are rated by BTU, which stands for British Thermal Unit (the amount of heat needed to heat one pound of water by 1 degree F). To find out how many BTU you need:
Calculate the volume of the space to be heated by multiplying square footage by height.
Multiply that number by 4 if your insulation is poor, 3 if it's average, or 2 if it's good.
The resulting number is a ballpark figure for how many BTU you'll need.
Do space heaters cost a lot to operate? As a general rule, electric space heaters are more expensive to use than combustion models. To ensure energy efficiency, a thermostat is a must-have feature for any heater. For radiant heaters, models with a 360 degree heating surface can heat larger spaces. If you need a forced-air heater, models with ceramic elements tend to be more efficient.

Are space heaters a fire hazard?Space heaters are implicated in about 25,000 residential fires every year. To ensure proper safety, always follow the manufacturer’s usage instructions and fill out the warranty card to receive informational updates from the manufacturer. Also, look for extra safety features such as an automatic shutoff switch that can shut down the unit if, for example, it gets upended. In addition, choose a model where the heating element is adequately enclosed within the unit.


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Single Water Heater Thermostat Review

Single Water Heater Thermostat
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Good product, but I could have purchased locally. Comes in a kit too, with element. Element more likely to go out before the t-stat. Go to Lowe's or Home Depot and save some time. Took more than a week to arrive at my doorstep.

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Max (150 degrees) and high limit (170 degrees). Two element simultaneous 208, 240, 277, and 480 volt.

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6/25/2011

Watt'S Sensor Valve Kit for Hot Water Recirculating Pump (0955801) Review

Watt'S Sensor Valve Kit for Hot Water Recirculating Pump (0955801)
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Read all the way to the end - where I talk about the problems with the valve, but first.....
Here is how the system works.
This is an automatic heat regulating water valve.
You connect it under your sink.
There are four connections.
1. To Hot water valve
2. To cold water valve
3. To hot water side of faucet
4. To Cold water side of faucet.
This valve connects your hot water to your cold water. Hot water flows into the cold water line and goes back to the water heater. When the water reaches about 95 degrees at the cold water side, the valve closes.
I don't mind having the cold water at 95 degrees all the time. It would be nice to have the hot water coming out of the tap at higher than 95 degree immediately, but that is a limitation of the valve. Once the water reaches 95 degrees the flow stops and the hot water side doesn't get any hotter until you turn the tap on. Your hot water will start out warm but not hot. It will reach it's highest temperature quicker because it is already part way there.
This is a great product for getting your shower warm quicker.
However, you will need to adjust the temperature of the shower as the hot water line continues to warm up and the cold water line cools off. Less hot and more cold to keep the temperature constant.
I knew all of this and I was fine with it.
My main interest was getting hot water to my dishwasher, and unfortunately, this only gets WARM water to the dishwasher. By the time the water gets HOT, the dishwasher is already full of warm water. As far as I know, dishwashers today will start the wash cycle before the water reaches a high enough temperature even if you have the dishwasher set to increase the temperature.
NOW - HERE IS THE BIG PROBLEM WITH THIS VALVE - They stop working. They get stuck in the open position. That means that Hot water flows continuously through the Hot AND Cold water pipes. My hot water is set to well above 150 degree. SO, with a failed valve, my cold water is coming out of the tap at over 150 degrees!!!!
This solves the dishwasher issue, but now instead of waiting for HOT water, I have to wait for COLD water.
This isn't an isolated problem. I have had 4 of these valves stick open each within just a few months. I am a journeyman pipefitter, and there is no way to repair these valves. They are molded together, and there are no rebuild kits.
Now, I am considering a solution for MY installation. The pump has a built in timer. I am thinking about having it come on only once nightly for the dishwasher. Of course I'll have to schedule dishwashing.
If Watts would come up with a better valve, one that can be rebuilt and have a temperature adjustment control, this would be a better solution.
As it is, these valves have a good chance of failing. It's probably due to minerals in the water. If you have soft water, this may not be a problem for you.
Finally - in my situation, I don't even NEED the valve, I only need a couple of tees and a pump with a timer, but since the valve has failed open, I'll just stick with that. Worst part is, I am selling this home and I'll need to either explain it to the new owners or remove the system when I sell.


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Sold as each. Use with recirculating pump SKU #4237186. Kit includes sensor (thermal by-pass) valve and (2) 12" supply lines with 3/8"C x 1/2" FIP fittings. Additional sensor valve for branched hot water systems. Manufacturer number: 0955801. Country of origin: United States. Distributed by Anderson Barrows.

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6/24/2011

Stiebel Eltron DHC 8-2 Electric Tankless Water Heater Review

Stiebel Eltron DHC 8-2 Electric Tankless Water Heater
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This unit is worthless. I bought a more powerful unit than was remotely necessary to feed a single sink. The unit felt cheap at first, but I reserved judgement. Now I have used it for a month, my conclusion is that this water heater can't even heat water for a single sink. The relays constantly switch off and on, thus even when water becomes slightly warm, it goes back to cold. This is possibly due to fluctuations in water pressure.
In a laboratory setting this heater may have supplied tepid water, but in the real world it is useless.

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Stiebel Eltron DHC 8-2 Electric Tankless Water HeaterThe Stiebel Eltron DHC 8-2 Electric Tankless Water Heater is designed for installation at the point of use. They heat water instantaneously as it flows through the unit. Stand-by losses are completely eliminated. The heating elements are controlled by a flow switch and by an exclusive scald-guard thermostat, which keeps the water temperature within safe limits at all times. In addition, the DHC water heaters are equipped with a safety high-limit with manual reset. The rugged all copper design ensures many years of reliable service. The models DHC 3-1, DHC 3-2 and DHC 4-2 are shipped with 0.5 GPM pressure compensating flow reducer/aerators that fit on most faucets. Flow controls and faucet aerators are highly recommended in conjunction with tankless water heaters.Stiebel Eltron DHC 8-2 Electric Tankless Water Heater Features: Up to 50% less electric consumption compared to storage type heaters, hot water instantly, with exclusive built-in scald guard thermostat, fits anywhere due to its lower installation cost in comparison to storage type water heaters.No need for circulating pumps, available in many different KW sizes - Available for 120V, 208V and 240. Stiebel Eltron DHC 8-2 Electric Tankless Water Heater Specifications:; Phase1, 208/240V, 5.4/7.2 KiloWatts, 26/30 Amps; Minimum required circuit breaker size 40 Amps; Recommended wire size AWG Copper 8; Minimum water flow to activate unit0.69 GPM/2.6 l/min.; Pressure loss in unit 3.13 PSI/0.25 bar; Maximum working pressure 125 PSI/10 bar; Tested to pressure 250 PSI/20 bar; Water connections 1/2" NPT; Dimensions: H 14-3/16" x W 7-7/8" x D 4-1/8"

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STIEBEL ELTRON Accelera 300 80G Electric Water Heater Review

STIEBEL ELTRON Accelera 300 80G Electric Water Heater
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We did a lot of research when determining what type of hot water heater we wanted. Our main goal was to be able to disconnect the tankless coil on our oil boiler. Why disconnect the tankless? First of all, it belched fumes into our back yard all year long. Nothing would make me madder than trying to enjoy the back yard on a warm summer's day and having to smell fumes because the darned boiler came on to heat up residential hot water. The other thing I don't like about tankless boilers is that they are very inefficient. That's reason number 2 for switching hot water systems - to save money. Third of all, using less fossil fuel is good for the environment and that's important to us. Some friends were skeptical when we said we were getting an electric hot water heater, but I don't think they understand how this thing works. It's not your father's electric hot water heater. You might wonder how a device that uses, for example, a joule of energy could possibly produce 2.5 joules of heat. But it is possible if the device is merely moving heat from point A to point B. That's what the Stiebel Eltron does, and does very well. It does have a backup heating element for situations in which the compressor is not able to provide enough heat by itself, but most of the time, the heating element is not used.
So how does it work? Great! The water is piping hot and, owing to the large 80 gallon capacity, there is always plenty of hot water even for our 5-person family. It wasn't cheap, but it is a qualified purchase for the $1500 federal energy efficiency tax credit. So whatever you pay for it, you'll get $1500 back at tax time.
We positioned ours in the basement, close to the boiler, so that it can use some of the standby-loss heat that the boiler would otherwise waste. This does bring up one thing that you should be aware of - this unit will indeed make your basement colder. It's basically like having a window air conditioner running in your basement. Our basement isn't frigid, because the basement walls, being as they are underground, really buffer temperatures anyway. But it's definitely a little chillier down there than it was before we installed the Stiebel.
As for the bottom line... well first of all, don't underestimate how much it will cost to install this unit. We had a certified installer perform the work for us and the bill came to around $6500. After the tax credit, it's more like $5000. We were able to get a zero percent energy efficiency loan sponsored by the state of MA (I've been told other states have similar programs), so we're paying about $50 per month to own it. So are we saving $50 per month in fuel oil? Probably... it's a little hard to say just yet, as we've only had it for a few months. We won't really know for sure until we've had it for a year or more and can compare our year to year oil usage. One thing I will say though, is that the hit to our electric bill has been negligible. We really haven't noticed any increase in our electric bill at all. Maybe a couple bucks. We calculated that the unit will pay for itself in about 6 years... time will tell if those calculations are accurate.
I think it will really start to pay for itself next spring. I plan on turning the oil boiler off as soon as it warms up in the spring and not turning it on again until it gets cold again in autumn. Zero oil usage all summer! (Side note, an oil guy once told me that you shouldn't turn the boiler off for extended periods of time because the gaskets might crack... others I've spoken to say that's poppycock. It sounds pretty doubtful to me, and frankly, I don't really trust oil salesmen, so I plan on turning it off next summer and we'll see what happens).
So in summary... no regrets so far. Works great, plenty of hot water, barely a blip on the electric bill. Gotta love it.

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Stiebel Eltron Accelera 300 Electric Heat Pump Water Heater80 gallon storage capacity2.5 Energy factor according to Energy StarReduces hot water costs by up to 80%Cools and dehumidifies the air around itLow stand-by losses due to good insulation3/4" NPT water connectionSinlge phase 220vSacrificial anode rod10 year warrantyTechnical data

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6/23/2011

Broan 655 Heater and Heater Bath Fan with Light Combination Review

Broan 655 Heater and Heater Bath Fan with Light Combination
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as a result of doing major home renovations for the last 6 months, i ended up spending quite a bit of time researching all the products and appliances i had to install... so hopefully this will save you some time and headache. i ultimately needed two bathroom fans with heaters for one medium sized full bathroom, and a small half bathroom in my DC rowhouse. and since the bathroom fans had to be installed inside my ceiling, i wanted to make ABSOLUTELY SURE that i didnt have to EVER dig back into my ceiling drywalls to repair or replace.
well, after weeks of agonizing and reading review after review on site after site, i settled on a Panasonic FV-11VH2 WhisperWarm for the full bath, and am SOOOOO happy i did. it was definitely rated for a larger bathroom than mine, and is slightly more expensive than i wanted, but is SUPER quiet (both heat and fan), unintrusive, and does the jobs perfectly. just note that the heat isnt mindblowing, but does a great job if you live in an older house without central like mine, and there's no heat at all in the bathrooms.... a great help while soaking in the bathtub, also if you turn the heat on 15 mins or so earlier on cold mornings with the door closed before going in to brushing your teeth or showering in the am. im so glad i bought it, and wish i bought two! [truth be told, my electrician claimed that the Panasonics were the best from the start, but im still skeptical by nature so i researched extensively anyways. save yourself the trouble.]
for the smaller half bathroom, i regret deciding to spend less, and expect less. my rationale was that the bathroom was so small, was only a half bath, and i wasnt planning on really spending any time in there. however, i did want a heater because it's on a cold wall and FREEZING in the winter. anyways, after reading a ton about lower priced models for smaller bathrooms, i bought this "Broan 655 Heater and Heater Bath Fan with Light Combination" and am SUPER disappointed. it's SUPER LOUD and vibrates like CRAZY in the ceiling both in fan mode as well as heat mode as well as both modes. it does work and does get rid of the stink though, and has a heater as well, though it doesnt really put out much at all (lame even in this super small half bath). i suppose it's better than nothing.... Don't be fooled by the high Amazon.com Sales Rank like i was! spend a bit more and get a better unit. you wont be sorry.
[NOTE- im just a homeowner, do not work for either company, and ive posted this same review on both the Panasonic item i bought as well as this one.]

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655 Fan strength: 70 CFMFeatures: -Bathroom fan and heater with light. -Available in: -70 CFM. -50 CFM. . -White plastic grille. -70 CFM fan dimensions: 0.83'' H x 1.583'' W x 1'' D. -50 CFM fan dimensions: 0.83'' H x 1'' W x 1.583'' D.

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6/22/2011

M-D Building Products 64444 30-Foot Pipe Heating Cable with Thermostat Review

M-D Building Products 64444 30-Foot Pipe Heating Cable with Thermostat
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I have a 110-year-old house with a flat roof. It's a beautiful old row house in the city. The problem with a flat roof -- as everyone knows -- is a lack of drainage. In wintertime, the area around the downspout collects water during the day when the sun is out and the surface (at least) freezes when the sun goes down. That causes a back-up of water and leaking down the interior walls. NOT A GOOD THING!!! This "heater" cable keeps things just warm enough to keep the water flowing down the spout and out of the house. It has a thermostat control which means it only uses electricity when the temperature dips below a certain level.

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MD Products 64444 30' Pipe Heating Cable With ThermostatMD Products 64444 30' Pipe Heating Cable With Thermostat Features:; UL and CSA approved pipe heating cable designed to prevent water line freeze up; Ready to install, grounded cord and plug, thermostat controlled, with pilot light; 30'

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Stiebel Eltron SHC 2.5 Mini-Tank Electric Water Heater, 2.5 Gallon Review

Stiebel Eltron SHC 2.5 Mini-Tank Electric Water Heater, 2.5 Gallon
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Very satisfied with the heater - it is a more practical size than others I researched, and so far has performed flawlessly. Only time will tell if it is worth it. It was a snap to install, as fortunately I was able to use the disposal outlet for connection, and the water connecting lines were easily transferred. Just have to remember to check the heater on light before running the disposal. Really appreciate having hot water right now, instead of several minutes, and several gallons of wasted water.

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6/21/2011

Quietside ODW-199A Natural Gas Tankless Water Heater, 7.2 GPM Review

Quietside ODW-199A Natural Gas Tankless Water Heater, 7.2 GPM
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We put in a Quietside tankless water heater last September and have had nothing but problems. The flow through the heater varies a lot -- sometimes it's a trickle, sometimes it's normal. It is always normal if I go outside and turn the darn thing on and off. Quietside says it's part of the design. Bull. I have a Taguki heater for the other end of my house which is perfect. In short, friends do not let friends buy Quietside tankless water heaters.

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The ODW uses our Exactemp Technology to constantly regulate the delivered water temperature (+/- 2°F) you desire, ensuring the perfect water temperature for the shower, laundry and all other hot water needs. The best part is; as long as the faucet is open the ODW will produce hot water. Now, your five minute shower can last as long as you'd like.

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Bosch AQ4 Water Heater Vent Kit Review

Bosch AQ4 Water Heater Vent Kit
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I have to say, why would there be so many "USED" kits available? I went to a service call where the plumber actually caused a fire by installing one of these improperly. It's not that difficult. When you are considering installing one of these, first consider the total cost of the 125 series heater and the vent cost and you are up around the cost of many other brands which are already power vented and have far more advanced features. The 125 series Bosch water heaters are little work horses but must be maintained. The fan housings in the AQ must be cleaned s they can and do load up with dust, dirt and provide habitat for nesting insects. The average homeowner is going to have a hard time installing this, even plumbers who have installed Bosch water heaters will shy away from these kits in favor of internal power vent models. This is like putting rubber tires on a covered wagon. Due diligence is worth every minute spent before mis-spending you $$$

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AQ4 Sidewall Power Vent Kit â¤" For use with tankless water heaters TV # 734077 (1600H NG ) and TV # 734063 (1600H LP). Kit, Includes Power Vent Motor, Vent Termination Hood With Freeze Prevention Flapper, Tube of High Temperature Sealant to Seal Pipe Seams, 5" To 4" Vent Reducer, Water Flow Activation Switch & Tubing, Control Cables, Mounting Hardware, Vibration Isolation Bushings, Linear Spill Switch, Instructions & Termination Template, Allows Safe Horizontal Venting Up To 25 feet with a Discreet 8" Outside Termination Hood. 45 Second Post Purge & Linear Safety Switch, Power Input 120V & 1.4A With 3 prong grounded Cord, Maximum Vent Distance 25 feet With 1 Elbow, Minimum Vent Distance 2 foot Straight Pipe Before Fan, Maximum Elbows 3 At 90 Degrees & 6 At 45 Degrees, 4 inch Vent Diameter, Vent Material can be 26 gauge single wall, Not Included In AQ4 Kit, CSA Approved.

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6/20/2011

Water Heater Pan (34104) Review

Water Heater Pan (34104)
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Never received. Please refund me back my money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Sold as each. Manufactured from .032 prime aluminum. Exposed edges have been rolled to protect installer from injury. Pre-drilled to accept furnished fittings. Recommended for gas or electric water heaters. . 22". Manufacturer number: 34104. Country of origin: United States. Distributed by Oatey Scs.

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