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Until now , I ’ve only put in traditional tank - typewater heater , so I did n’t cognise what to expect from a tankless water bullet . But the installation was square , and I ’m super well-chosen with the outcome .
My married man and I purchased a pocket-size commercial building last yr , and we ’ve been remodel it on weekends . Because it has no designated service program elbow room , we ’ve had to get creative with our utility setup . After exhaustive research , we installed theRheem RTEX-18 Tankless Water Heater . Keep reading to find out more about this outer space - saving pee smoke and what I discovered about on - requirement hot water heaters in ecumenical .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Rheem RTEX-18 Tankless Water Heater: At a Glance
Testing the Rheem RTEX-18 Tankless Water Heater
To test the RTEX-18 , we installed it to match local codes and the manufacturer ’s specification . Although we are not licensed plumber or electricians , as general contractor , we have a hearty agreement of introductory wiring and plumbing . In our residential district , prop owners are permitted to handle their own utility installment . However , DIYers must accurately measure their own skill and follow local codes . Improper installation can cause serious issuing , and in many case , hiring a pro is the safest and most reliable option .
After installing the whole , we connected it to a cesspool and noted how quickly the water warmed up . Find out the pros and bunko game of tankless water heaters and more in my Rheem RTEX-18 recapitulation .
Installation and Space Requirements
I chose to instal the RTEX-18 using a multiplex system and cross - linked polyethylene tubing ( PEX ) , but you could also use a branch - and - tee system and copper piping . The primary thing is to habituate what meet local codification , and to consult a professional if you ’re not trusted what local codification requires . The RTEX-18 arrived with the water system heater unit only – the PEX , flexible water inlet and outlet hoses , and manifolds were buy individually .
Due to the amount of juice the RTEX-18 pulls when it powers on , we also had to establish two 40A double - pole circle breakers . Rheem ’s spectacles commend a minimum 150A help panel . We have a 200A panel in the building , so we were respectable to go . We establish the 40A breakers in the service panel and wired them to the body of water warmer .
The plumbing system involved supplying cold water to the RTEX-18 and connect the red-hot water exit to the hot H2O manifold . From there , we branched off the manifold to the two sinks in the construction . The plumbing and wiring unconscious process was aboveboard .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
I was amazed at how little blank space was required to deploy the Rheem tankless water heater . The unit measures 13.9 inches wide , 17 inches in high spirits , and is just 3.6 inches cryptical . I mounted the RTEX-18 to a paries and will eventually install a shallow storage locker to cover it . equate that with an average of 4 to 6 square feet of story quad required for a tank car water heater 5 to 6 feet high . Also , local codification often ask extra distance around a cooler heater for airflow . much speaking , there ’s no comparability .
Hot Water Delivery Performance
The RTEX-18 starts inflame the water as soon as someone turns on a blistering water spigot . That flow of water spark a sensor in the unit , recite it to start heat the water . I was expecting something consanguine to the amount of clock time it takes for the armoured combat vehicle water heater in my home to fork up red-hot water but with the Rheem , in just a few seconds , the water coming out of the faucet was nice and raging .
I was able to select the desired temperature by turn a boss on the front of the RTEX-18 . It ’s that simple . I experimented with the temperature modification and in the end settled on 120 degree F. That was lovesome enough to wash my hands well .
However , the RTEX-18 is a comparatively small - capacity tankless water heater . If you have a large home with several john , you may want to consider a gamey - mental ability modeling . Rheem put up aninteractive tankless sizing toolto help find out the manakin that will best suit your want and the geographic location where you survive . All in all , the RTEX-18 delivers ample hot water for my needs , and it does it efficiently .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Cost and Energy Efficiency
The neat thing about tankless blistering water heaters , or on - requirement water smoke , is that they do n’t need to keep a immense armored combat vehicle of body of water consistently hot , so they do n’t start drawing electrical energy until someone turn on a hot water faucet . According toEnergy.gov , a tankless water supply heater is 8 to 34 percent moreenergy efficientthan computer memory body of water fastball and can save consumers at least $ 100 annually . The RTEX-18 came with an EnergyGuide sticker that say it will cost an approximate $ 288 per year to operate .
TheRheem RTEX-18 tankless body of water smoke sell on Amazon for $ 422.61 . That cost is free-enterprise with similar - sized tankless hummer and peradventure a smidgen more than galvanising storage tank bullet . It ’s also a footling less , on ordinary , than gas - power tank heater . The braggy savings come over the tenacious term . A tankless raging water heater has an expected lifespan of 20 years or more , while stock tank fastball will last an norm of 10 - 15 twelvemonth .
Installation charges will tot to the price of any spicy water hummer if you ’re not experienced in plumbing and wiring . I ’m very happy we installed the Rheem tankless water heater in our building . It ’s been a couple of week , and I have n’t experience a noticeable increase in our electricity usage .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Buy the Rheem tankless water hummer on Amazon for $ 449.00
Product Comparisons
So, is the Rheem tankless water heater right for you?
The Rheem RTEX-18 was the right choice for our building , and now that I ’ve installed a tankless water smoke , I ’m consider upgrading to an on - requirement model for my base as well . I live in an area with a rural electric co - op , and the price per kilowatt hr for electricity is higher than in many regions . I do n’t like spending money to keep a whole tank of hot piss spicy , especially if I ’m not using hot water frequently . Plus , the public-service corporation country in my building is very small , and the RTEX-18 does n’t take up much distance . To keep infinite for heating and cool needs , we also installed aFriedrich mini - disconnected heat pumpin the building .
Is an galvanising tankless water heater right for you ? That all calculate on your personal indigence . If you ’re looking to save on energy cost by not experience to keep a full army tank of water heated 24/7 , a tankless model could be a good choice . It ’s idealistic for lower hot water demands since it does n’t store spicy urine .
On the other manus , if you have a large folk or high water usage ( multiple shower and appliances ) , you may demand to elevate to a in high spirits - capacitance unit or go with a storage storage tank character .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Meet the Tester
Glenda Taylor is a contractor , Cartesian product tester , and writer focusing in the first place on construction , DIY tool , and major contraption .
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