Best Home Adds and Fixtures

Tankless water heaters are interesting, and can save power, but they have peculiar requirements, behave oddly and require periodic maintenance.

Having an actual full tank is reassuring. If the power goes out you still have a full tank of hot water.

A newer type of product on the market is a heat pump water heater. It has a full sized tank. It heats like a reversed air conditioner so it takes heat out of the air in the same room, or from outside with some plumbing (like a mini-split). The efficiency level is high.
 
OverlanderJK said:
It’s a new system that I have to install. What needs to be EPA friendly and have a fan? Mine seems pretty easy and straight forward. Besides having to pump it 400’ uphill.
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Advanced systems are a real PTA and are required if there is poor drainage. Depending on the state/county, successful testing of the dirt may allow you to run a traditional septic (simple gravity fed tank and drain field).

Someone commented on the crap that can come out of the clothes washer. If your area allows it, you can install a gray water tank and send the washer water there. This is straightforward if the gray water tank is gravity fed. We have this. There is no telling how much awful gook is at the bottom of the tank!
 
bobfriesenhahn said:
Advanced systems are a real PTA and are required if there is poor drainage. Depending on the state/county, successful testing of the dirt may allow you to run a traditional septic (simple gravity fed tank and drain field).

Someone commented on the crap that can come out of the clothes washer. If your area allows it, you can install a gray water tank and send the washer water there. This is straightforward if the gray water tank is gravity fed. We have this. There is no telling how much awful gook is at the bottom of the tank!
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Thanks for answering a question that nobody asked.
 
TrailHunter said:
The Navien Units move the water slowly so it doesnt take too long to get hot water in fixtures far from the heater. Probably helps in colder climates too.
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I ran dedicated lines to everything as well under the slab so I don’t have to worry about not enough water. Debating two units or just an oversized unit. The longest run is only about 65 feet.
 
Not sure if this was mentioned but adding a Generac will keep the power going to that tank less water heater never skips a beat.
 
bobfriesenhahn said:
A newer type of product on the market is a heat pump water heater. It has a full sized tank. It heats like a reversed air conditioner so it takes heat out of the air in the same room, or from outside with some plumbing (like a mini-split). The efficiency level is high.
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Our plumber said they are Pieces of shit and expensive. We have recently been forced to install a couple of these do to Title 24 requirements.. Plan is to remove them and install a standard gas unit after final inspection.
 
TrailHunter said:
Our plumber said they are Pieces of shit and expensive. We have recently been forced to install a couple of these do to Title 24 requirements.. Plan is to remove them and install a standard gas unit after final inspection.
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Don’t worry, when I started this thread I knew I wouldn’t listen to anything Bob said. In fact, I’ll probably do the opposite of whatever he says.
 
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