After last weeks episode of no flow in the bathtub, plus I've planning on doing something of this nature for a while. I've been reading up on PEX water lines, Filtration systems (softeners vs filters) and possibly a tankless water heater (gas style)... I'm going to be getting a water test on my water to see where I stand on hardness. What I'd like to see (from my reading - Pros/Cons): Water lines comes into the house Filtration system (softener *Salt/No Salt* )(Filters) PEX water Manifold to disperse water to house (style and make???)(Pipe size/Style of Manifolds *plastic/Brass*/fittings *plastic/brass*) Tankless heater (gas) My thought is to have all this on one wall in the basement...
Go pex! You will be a master plumber in 2 hours! So easy, I went with brass, no problems, a couple buddies went with plastic couplings and 90s one or 2 leaks but easy fixes. Nice thing is with pex nothing has to be perfect, that stuff flexes a lot, use it's flex rather than so many 90s it will keep your lines much quieter. Get a manifold on your main line, at least 3/4 supply. I went with 3/4 supply and 3/4 out the end to the washer and the pipes going out of the manifold were 1/2, with individual valves going out of every outlet.
I did it in my house. Recycled the copper for a nice chunk of money. My copper manifolds do not have valves. All home runs.
Had to put in a water heater two years ago.... Wanted a tankless but the plumber talked me out of it. He keeps having to go back year after year to replace computer boards on the tankless. We have an old tankless at our hunting cabin - no electronics, just a pilot light. It can be wonderful, just worried about how they are now all computerized
Pert near everything has a chip on it controlling something. It is pricey to set up an adequate surge/ noise /spike system on the AC lines- it has to cover Hot ,Neutral and Earth. The other option is local suppresor / filter at about $50 a pop. Biggest problem with point of use heaters is mineral deposit build up in the heat exchanger tubes. Course that depends a lot on your water supply and what may be dissolved in it. So getting test puts you ahead on that curve. Once you have those # a system can be designed to reduce/ eliminate / neutralize those specifics. Reverse osmosis is way to slow and pricy for a whole house function most of the time.
I'll second or third be careful of tankless.. are they supposed to save money ues.. but any minerals in water.. think something else good friend has put in 3 tankless in 6 years at 2k plus a piece.. I was how much can they possibly save if break every 2 years by your hard water? pex heck ya! get a manifold and each appliance on on line too easy if ever a problem shut off are at manifold...
Wow... Didn't know that about the tankless water heaters, but haven't put too much research into it... Just figured while I was doing it, It would be ideal time to make the transition. Thanks for the heads up.
Once you go PEX you never go back. Manifold or no manifold, not sure. My only advice is spend a few extra $$ on a good crimping tool. I am converting everything in my rentals to pex whenever I can. Pay attention to the details on all fittings. On tank less water heaters, I heard the same thing on electronic ones, circuit boards not lasting. I went with a high efficiency 50 gallon direct vent. So far, so good. Momma hasn't run out of hot water yet. and we all know how important that is.
I have an electric tankless that has been in for 6-7 years with no problems. I put in a softener after putting in the tankless due to our super hard water. And I'd do it again Check out this thread on waters heaters Tankless water heaters
only cause my fone wouldn't link it correctly... had to jump on the pc and fix it now...back to your regular programming...
TurboDiesel what do you hear about the electric tank hot water heaters that have heat pump in them.. cannot think of name they are offering 600 dollar off rebates right now and claim avg family of 4 costs 12 dollars a month?
those shark fittings make life with super simple no crimmper needed- don't know how well they hold up as I only just used them a month ago. work for copper, plastic and pex just need to get the right one for the job.
$1200 + uses 60% less energy slow recovery times. still uses electric for high demand cant be hidden in a closet because it needs a larger area to pull heat from (up to 1000 cubic ft) less efficient in a cold basement because there is less heat there to transfer to the water. and it will cool the basement even more also needs a drain
