On Demand Water Heaters

[tulip]

I lived in an apartment for seven years in North Carolina that had solar hot water panels on the roof for heating water and a booster gas hot water heater. It was a very good setup. We never ran out of hot water, and our bills were very low because most of the heating came from solar.

Just another way of thinking about these things.

Tinyhouse: I am very interested in tiny houses, and in fact gave a presentation last year about them to a bunch of architects. I'm buying a tiny condo, and I'm excited yet a bit wondering about living in such a small place. It'll be like a Airstream or a ship--a place for everything (which is not too much, by choice) and everything in its place. My tiny Bike Friday will fit in well. It's nice to know that you are into tiny houses, too!

[mimitabby]

Oh, I'd love to have solar power. But in the winter in Seattle that would be a joke. Too bad there isn't cloud power!

[emily_in_nc]

re. Tinyhouse:

I've always told my DH that someday I want to live in a "tiny cottage". I just love the cottage style, and would love a compact little place with about 1/3 to 1/2 the possessions we have now, where we wouldn't lose our "stuff" because we have too darn much of it!

When we spend time down on our 30' cruising sailboat (most definitely a tinyhouse!) I realize how much we have that we could get along without. But we love our home and especially our yard (11 acres in the woods with trails for hiking, running, and mountain biking), so we're not quite ready to pursue the tinyhouse dream. But it's on the back of my mind for someday.... I just love the idea of simplifying that much! Would love to live carfree too....

Emily

[IFjane]

re. Tinyhouse:

I've always told my DH that someday I want to live in a "tiny cottage". I just love the cottage style, and would love a compact little place with about 1/3 to 1/2 the possessions we have now, where we wouldn't lose our "stuff" because we have too darn much of it!

When we spend time down on our 30' cruising sailboat (most definitely a tinyhouse!) I realize how much we have that we could get along without. But we love our home and especially our yard (11 acres in the woods with trails for hiking, running, and mountain biking), so we're not quite ready to pursue the tinyhouse dream. But it's on the back of my mind for someday.... I just love the idea of simplifying that much! Would love to live carfree too....

Emily

But Emily - I can't think of anything better than having a tiny house on 11 acres! Do you know anyone with a bulldozer?

[lette]

Mimitabby, and others that have a tankless/on-demand system, are you still happy?
We are ready to replace our tank, and seriously considering a small one application gas model. Only two people, and we never run another water appliance when the other is in the shower.
All your knowledge appreciated,
Thanks, Lette

[Biciclista]

we've gotten used to it.
I like it. I like the electric/gas bills. I like the fact that when we have guests we never run out of water. i don't like being the first person in the bathroom in the morning, because you end up running about a gallon of water to get to the hot stuff.
there's some parts that don't really make sense to me (in relation to how long it takes to get hot waters which times) but I like it. it's small and efficient and when i'm not in a rush, i just take that gallon of cold water and reuse it.

i like the fact that when one of us is in the bath, it's not going to screw anything up if the other starts the dishwasher or the washingmachine.

[Tuckervill]

Wait, Mimi, is it because the water heater is a long way from the shower? Cuz I already have that problem in my house with a regular hot water heater. Worse in winter time. Or, is it because it takes that much water run through the system before it heats up? (that doesn't make sense to me.)

I don't like to waste water, but I already do, because of that very problem.

Karen