Hot water to other side of house (tankless water heater)

Rosie
by Rosie
We switched to a tankless water heater to save on utilities; but, the unit is in the garage about 35 ft from the master bathroom. We have to run the water a long time to get hot water. Less of a problem in the kitchen (half way across the house). We think the temperature loss is due to the pipes traveling thru the attic. Any suggestions? Thanks for your help.
  13 answers
  • Adrianne C Adrianne C on Apr 14, 2015
    Outside of moving it, the best way is to loop the line so the water comes in from both directions. Maintains constant pressure too.
    • Rosie Rosie on Apr 14, 2015
      @Adrianne C Oh my, this sounds like an easy fix. I'll have to check with my handyman to see if he can do it. Thanks.
  • Karen Irvine Karen Irvine on Apr 14, 2015
    Tankless hot water simply takes long to get started. Ours is the same. It's got nothing to do with the pipes, it's just part of the process. I'm surprised your installer didn't tell you this when you purchased.
    • See 1 previous
    • Karen Irvine Karen Irvine on Apr 14, 2015
      @Rosie Even with it taking longer to get to the tap, it's cheaper than heating the same water over and over again. And the peace of mind from knowing you won't have a flood from an old hot water tank.
  • Marion Nesbitt Marion Nesbitt on Apr 14, 2015
    Am not sure about the cost of utilities there. Guess my question is - is it that much cheaper when you save on electric but use more water? You may not have the same problems we have up here in the north with temp extremes, but we would make sure any pipes running through our attic were well-insulated to prevent heat loss and avoid condensation issues.
    • Rosie Rosie on Apr 14, 2015
      @Marion Nesbitt My thoughts too! I'll look into this too. Thanks for your input.
  • Rus1058682 Rus1058682 on Apr 14, 2015
    If the water lines are in the attic, why not install a smaller in-line system closer to the master bath ?
    • Rosie Rosie on Apr 14, 2015
      @Ruslzplace I like this too. Quite viable. Thanks!
  • We had the same issue - my hubby installed a 10 gallon electric water heater near our master bath so we have instant Hot water until the big main tank catches up. It works!
    • Rosie Rosie on Apr 14, 2015
      @Brenda Goodell VanderZanden Wow! This sounds even better. I can handle a small heater in master. Looking into this too. Thanks!
  • John Bittner John Bittner on Apr 14, 2015
    Insulate the pipes and possibly install a small electric point on service heater close to the bath as a booster
    • Rosie Rosie on Apr 14, 2015
      @John Bittner Yes, I think that is going to be the answer. Thanks
  • Carolyn S. Carolyn S. on Apr 14, 2015
    We had a circulating (or recirculating) pump installed under the kitchen sink to get hot water there faster. There was a doorbell type button that I would push to get the hot water started flowing to the kitchen. Don't think it was that expensive.
    • Rosie Rosie on Apr 14, 2015
      @Carolyn S. My goodness this sounds like it would take even less room than an under sink unit. I have those pull out drawers under the sink that are always full. Something like this would be ideal! I will sacrifice the drawers if necessary though. Thank you!!
  • Karen P Karen P on Apr 14, 2015
    we bought a small uner sick hot water heater . it gives instant hot water while you wait for the other hot water to get there
    • Rosie Rosie on Apr 14, 2015
      @Karen P Thank you. If the recirculating pump stumps the installers, I will get a small or instant hot water heater in the bathroom. I do hate seeing the water go down the drain!!
  • Sheryl Gilliland Sheryl Gilliland on Apr 14, 2015
    Obviously, the water caught in a pitcher can be used as plant, pet, flushing the toilet water, not to mention drinking water. I did this for years. With conservation our family of 4 used 100 gallons a month. PS no yard, just natural cactus.
    • Rosie Rosie on Apr 15, 2015
      @Sheryl Gilliland I had not thought of that! You are sooo right. Thanks.
  • June Novakowski June Novakowski on Apr 14, 2015
    We gave up & put in an energy efficient hot water heater...just couldn't deal with waiting 5 minutes for hot water.
  • Laurie Clarkston Laurie Clarkston on Apr 15, 2015
    Put Insulation on the hot water pipes. You can get them in the plumbing section. That will cut down on the water cooling before getting to your bathroom.
  • Barbara Ann Barbara Ann on Apr 17, 2015
    Thanks for posting this. I have been bugging my husband to install one. We live in a small condo and right now have no problems getting hot water to the upstairs bathroom. But I did think about this.
    • Rosie Rosie on Apr 18, 2015
      @Barbara Ann Finding out the circulating pump for the tankless water heater is $649. Add tax, shipping and installation and it is cheaper to install another tankless on the other side of the house! After the additional research and input received from you all, were are most likely going with another tankless.
  • Dena Craghead Dena Craghead on Dec 29, 2020

    I have a new water heater and my bathroom on the other side does not get but warm water and that takes a while. Any ideas for DIY to fix it?