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I will be building a workshop with an attached guest house and bath. I have three options for hot water.
1) Tank electric
2) Instant electric
3) Instant propane

We do not have natural gas on the property but I do have propane. I would have to run a gas line another 30 feet to bring propane to the heater. If a tank type it would be a Rheem Marathon 40 gallon that is pretty efficient, and a lifetime warranty plastic tank. I've used this in other homes and they are fantastic. Cost about $1000 for a 40 gallon. The plumbing/Mech/elec engineer says I need a 13KW electric instant, a well rated Reehm is $425 and a bit larger wire so a bit more to install. The gas unit is about double and I assume it would cost more to plumb the gas than to run electric. I've never owned a tankless, how do they hold up for occasional use? With the Reehm marathon, I know they don't leak. Eventually an element will die. The tank type will be hot all the time so it will cost more to run. I intend to live in this house 20-30 years.
 
Posts: 550 | Location: Gun Friendly Arizona | Registered: August 15, 2009Reply With QuoteReport This Post
The Unmanned Writer
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What about a small tankless?







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Posts: 14020 | Location: It was Lat: 33.xxxx Lon: 44.xxxx now it's CA :( | Registered: March 22, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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I'd probably go tankless, since it sounds like this is an occasional use situation.




 
Posts: 10045 | Registered: October 15, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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quote:
Originally posted by LS1 GTO:
What about a small tankless?


He listed three options. Your suggestion is #2 on his list. Smile

For occasional use, I'd be inclined to go with whichever tankless option would be least expensive imstalled.
 
Posts: 10821 | Location: SWFL | Registered: October 10, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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If you're going to run propane for heating the room then I would probably opt for propane tankless. If you are using electric to heat then that's what I would use for the water.


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Posts: 5680 | Location: Ohio | Registered: December 27, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
More persistent
than capable
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For casual/intermittent use go with a standard electric and use an electrical plug or a disconnect. A cold tank with fully heat in 30-40 minutes, leave it off unless it is to be used. Replace the anode rod yearly and you will likely never replace it. The life of a HWH is like a fuselage, expansion/pressure cycles. Most economical way to go, now and over time.


Lick the lollipop of mediocrity once and you suck forever.
 
Posts: 1083 | Location: North | Registered: August 27, 2012Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Not really from Vienna
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I have a guest house used like you say yours will be. We installed a propane tankless in it about 10 years ago. It has been a maintenance and repair headache since installed. They don't like hard water or sediment from a well. We installed a filter to deal with sediment, which helped some, but mineral buildup is still an issue. I regret having not just put in a moderately priced electric tank type WH, which is what we did in an adjacent house that had the room to do so. I replaced the elements it originally came with, using "sand hog" elements, when it was installed. Since then, it has been entirely trouble-free. I turn off the breaker powering it when it is not in use.
 
Posts: 26852 | Location: Jerkwater, Texas | Registered: January 30, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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May I suggest a 30 gal Marathon electric unit. I have one in my shop, another in the guest quarters and two in the house, one 50 and one 40 gal. Never had any issues and the Marathon has a tank wall thickness of about 4". Hold the heat very well and they are moderately priced. Usually sold through your electric company and that is how I got mine. BTW, I have propane in the shop for heat and in the house as well. Good luck.


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Posts: 1143 | Location: Little Rock, AR | Registered: January 22, 2003Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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quote:
Originally posted by arfmel:
I have a guest house used like you say yours will be. We installed a propane tankless in it about 10 years ago. It has been a maintenance and repair headache since installed. They don't like hard water or sediment from a well. We installed a filter to deal with sediment, which helped some, but mineral buildup is still an issue.



True, very true... if you don't have good water, skip the tankless!




 
Posts: 10045 | Registered: October 15, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Staring back
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quote:
Originally posted by Excam_Man:
True, very true... if you don't have good water, skip the tankless!

Not so much.

When I turn on my faucets, gravel and nails comes out (very hard with a ton of iron). I flush the tankless once or twice a year with vinegar and swap out the filter then as well. No issues at all.

I do agree, though, that the tankless seems like a bit much for the intended use. I'm in the same boat trying to decide what to use in my new shop. I've decided to go with what sunburn suggests and put a small 20 gallon (or so) electric out there and only heat it when needed.


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Posts: 19975 | Location: Montana | Registered: November 01, 2010Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Workshop needs and guesthouse needs sound very different. If the guesthouse will be used by more than one person at a time I'd worry about 20n gallons being enough when it comes to showers. If you have the room for a 40 gallon it might be the better choice.
 
Posts: 3437 | Location: God Awful New York | Registered: July 01, 2006Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Just because you can,
doesn't mean you should
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Get the 40 gallon and turn the heat down to the lowest setting when nobody's in the guest house (or even off).
Warm enough to wash your hands, won't cost much to run.


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Posts: 9456 | Location: NE GA | Registered: August 22, 2002Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Our shop/guest apartment water heater is a 40 gallon electric. It gives plenty hot water for our guests and when no one is there we pull the breaker.


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Posts: 4358 | Location: Florida Panhandle | Registered: September 27, 2009Reply With QuoteReport This Post
More persistent
than capable
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40 gallon is likely less expensive than a 20.


Lick the lollipop of mediocrity once and you suck forever.
 
Posts: 1083 | Location: North | Registered: August 27, 2012Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Move Up or
Move Over
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Tankless water heaters have come a long ways in the last 10 years. Maintenance still has to be done but it isn't nearly as bad as it used to be. I would say the scenario you laid out is the absolute perfect application for a tankless.

I've never seen an electric one I like. Your intention to stay there long term just enhances the case for the tankless solution.

Mark
 
Posts: 4954 | Location: middle Tennessee | Registered: October 28, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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When I had a whole house generator installed, my propane guy ran the line labor and materials for free.
 
Posts: 1496 | Location: S/W Illinois | Registered: October 29, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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I see you are in Arizona. Is it cold where you live? Just wondering if a type of solar heat might help offset any choice you might go with.



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Posts: 3857 | Location: Sparta, NJ USA | Registered: August 16, 2002Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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