Water Heaters - Outdoor Tankless Installation
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dyijeff
04-28-05, 11:55 AM
Does anyone have experience with gas tankless water heaters mounted OUTSIDE in cooler climates?
We have a moderate-sized row house in Washington, D.C. The previous owners replaced a tank heater with a small electric tankless. The extra space is great and the unit worked fine until recently, when it failed due to what appears to be an internal leak.
Forced to deal with the issue, we'd like something a little more powerful.
We don't have a basement or an attached garage. There's just enough space in the current location for a direct vent gas unit, but it's a squeeze and leaves almost no room for easy servicing. The other option is to mount the unit outside on the same wall.
Our average low winter temps are in the 20s, but sometimes it's closer to zero F, and windchill can be a factor. Most units I've seen can operate in the low single digits before freezing.
Love to hear from people in the middle or northern states about whether I'd be inviting problems or worrying needlessly.
Thanks!
We have a moderate-sized row house in Washington, D.C. The previous owners replaced a tank heater with a small electric tankless. The extra space is great and the unit worked fine until recently, when it failed due to what appears to be an internal leak.
Forced to deal with the issue, we'd like something a little more powerful.
We don't have a basement or an attached garage. There's just enough space in the current location for a direct vent gas unit, but it's a squeeze and leaves almost no room for easy servicing. The other option is to mount the unit outside on the same wall.
Our average low winter temps are in the 20s, but sometimes it's closer to zero F, and windchill can be a factor. Most units I've seen can operate in the low single digits before freezing.
Love to hear from people in the middle or northern states about whether I'd be inviting problems or worrying needlessly.
Thanks!
mbk3
04-28-05, 04:47 PM
How do you propose to deal with freeze protection??
dyijeff
04-29-05, 06:05 AM
That's the question, I suppose.
Because of the way my row house is connected to my neighbor's, the area on that side of the house is fairly well protected from the elements. (It's in sort of a cul-de-sac between the houses. They share a common wall toward the street, but then both houses narrow to create a U-shaped space toward the back, a gap of about 12-feet. It's that side wall in the back where I would put the unit.)
Most of the units have some sort of electric freeze protection built into them, but the warranties only cover them down to a certain temp, like 5 degrees F.
Because of the way my row house is connected to my neighbor's, the area on that side of the house is fairly well protected from the elements. (It's in sort of a cul-de-sac between the houses. They share a common wall toward the street, but then both houses narrow to create a U-shaped space toward the back, a gap of about 12-feet. It's that side wall in the back where I would put the unit.)
Most of the units have some sort of electric freeze protection built into them, but the warranties only cover them down to a certain temp, like 5 degrees F.
gtm20
05-02-05, 03:50 PM
I would also like to know more about this. I'm considering going tankless in a new house I'll be building later this year. I also would be trying to save space, if I don't end up with a full basement.
Do you have a crawlspace that it could be mounted in ? I'm not sure if that would be up to code, but it might be worth looking in to. It would be more protect from the wind.
Do you have a crawlspace that it could be mounted in ? I'm not sure if that would be up to code, but it might be worth looking in to. It would be more protect from the wind.