Can I install a tankless condencing water heater in the same 24" by 24" closet the old traditional water heater was in?

[CaliSkier]

I am wondering if I can install a tankless water heater in the exact same location as the original water heater. I am looking to put in a condensing tankless water heater because I do have a drain. I have a 24" by 24" room with a 24" door. I want to see if I can shrink the room maybe down to 20 or 18" by 24 where the tankless water heater would be installed on the 24" wall. We are trying to convert our laundry room to a bathroom and the water heater is in the way...

I would like to make more room for the toilet. Currently the toilet faces 90 degrees up (bowl toward the water heater but in the same drain location). I want to turn it into the laundry room and knock the wall down, turning the room the toilet was in into a pantry. (YES we have a bathroom, like right off the kitchen and dining, its gross.

Can I install the tankless in that water heater space as is?
Can I install the tankless in that water heater space and shrink it 4-6 inches on the side to make more space for the toilet?

 

[WorthFlorida]

Is it gas or electric? Electric would be no
Issues usually, however you must look at the manufactures specifications. Needing a drain means gas and most have clearance requirements to adjacent walls and fresh air requirements. How will he exhaust be handled?You can use a condensate pump.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[CaliSkier]

it would be gas, 24 by 20 or 24 by 18 is what I would like to do

 

[Jeff H Young]

yes code permits you to put it in a space for water heaters . there is a lot to think about here are a few factors that likely occur. complete new vent system through roof, electrical nearby, bigger gas pipe ( about 5 times more btu demand), combustion air. condensate removal, clearances of installation , side walls etc. but people do it every day

 

[WorthFlorida]

While tankless systems may seem more efficient, it's when they are not heating water. During use the efficiency goes way down.
I would look into an electric unit. Less complicated install, no drain, no exhaust needed and virtually silent. However you do need sufficient space in your breaker panel. Depending on KW size may take four or six slots in the panel. Those with gas water heaters seem to be terrified of electric units but they do run nearly 100% efficient. I been living in Florida since 1989 and have had only electric WH. Gas is limited in Florida.
my last electric bill was $220, during peak cooling season. The company give you a report derived using smart meters. The WH portion was $15. I have two refrigerators and a seer 15 AC.

 

[Jeff H Young]

I never met anyone with natural gas in Florida. And where I live unless you are in the boonies there is always gas furnaces ranges and water heaters only apts or condos dont have gas occasionaly . we do have incentives to put heat pump (electric) in homes and the Commies are tring to elilinate natural gas here while at same time closing power plants, theyve had to slow the closures because we are short on power Gavin Newsome and the rest of the commies have a plan I guess get us more grid reliant

 

[Fitter30]

Something to think about.
Even if the unit width with side clearance will fit their heavy 70+ lbs gas unit. The install won't be a good time from hanging the unit to using a ladder.

 

[WorthFlorida]

I never met anyone with natural gas in Florida. And where I live unless you are in the boonies there is always gas furnaces ranges and water heaters only apts or condos dont have gas occasionaly . we do have incentives to put heat pump (electric) in homes and the Commies are tring to elilinate natural gas here while at same time closing power plants, theyve had to slow the closures because we are short on power Gavin Newsome and the rest of the commies have a plan I guess get us more grid reliant

My friend who lives on the Eastwood sub division on zip 32828 has natural gas. A few businesses where I live in Avalon Park has gas. My favorite restaurant continued to buy propane. The gas company to extend the line was a crazy amount of money, in the ten thousands and they wanted several more businesses to hook up. The own said blow gas or something like that.

Years ago a major gas line was run under the the gulf from LA to Florida, Tampa area I think. Well as cheap as electric is in Florida, gas has no benefit of homes. For businesses like restaurants, gas is better. Restaurants appliances are mostly made and designed for gas,

 

[Jeff H Young]

I know why you dont use gas much but if you had gas at your house and it was piped for gas I doubt it would be worth your while to eliminate your gas system. people here really really hate electric cook tops they cant stand them. People in florida many never have used gas

 

[CaliSkier]

yes code permits you to put it in a space for water heaters . there is a lot to think about here are a few factors that likely occur. complete new vent system through roof, electrical nearby, bigger gas pipe ( about 5 times more btu demand), combustion air. condensate removal, clearances of installation , side walls etc. but people do it every day

Thanks for the reply and sorry for my delay....

I get the vent, I get the electrical nearby, I get the bigger gas pipe. i think i have those covered. What I want, hope, i can do, is put it in a space that is 24X20" or 24x18". Right now my water heater closet is 24 x 24 and has a drain at the bottom. I want to cut back on the closet from 24x24 to 24x18 and put a door over it. I need this space because of a toilet that I am going to turn 90 degrees, I would like 4-6" more space to give more room for business.

So I am wondering if space requriements dont allow the 24x18 or 24x20 with a door over it.

 

[CaliSkier]

While tankless systems may seem more efficient, it's when they are not heating water. During use the efficiency goes way down.
I would look into an electric unit. Less complicated install, no drain, no exhaust needed and virtually silent. However you do need sufficient space in your breaker panel. Depending on KW size may take four or six slots in the panel. Those with gas water heaters seem to be terrified of electric units but they do run nearly 100% efficient. I been living in Florida since 1989 and have had only electric WH. Gas is limited in Florida.
my last electric bill was $220, during peak cooling season. The company give you a report derived using smart meters. The WH portion was $15. I have two refrigerators and a seer 15 AC.

View attachment 100748

Really apprecaite the reply, I am pretty sure i want gas, but i have not really looked into electrical, i just assuemed gas. I was just told by a contractor that my electrical box is overloaded.

 

[WorthFlorida]

By code a toilet needs 30" total space with no less than 15" from center to each side.

I have to agree about gas stove. I grew up with electric, first apartment was electric, then we rented a home built in 1935 in Schenectady, NY. The 1935 oven blew up in my face. That's another story. Our first new home in Saratoga Springs has ga, our next home in Illinois had gas. Back to Syracuse, NY had gas, then a job transfer to Florida electric everywhere. It took a while how to cook on electric.

 

[CaliSkier]

By code a toilet needs 30" total space with no less than 15" from center to each side.

I have to agree about gas stove. I grew up with electric, first apartment was electric, then we rented a home built in 1935 in Schenectady, NY. The 1935 oven blew up in my face. That's another story. Our first new home in Saratoga Springs has ga, our next home in Illinois had gas. Back to Syracuse, NY had gas, then a job transfer to Florida electric everywhere. It took a while how to cook on electric.

Thank you on the toilet, that gives me a parameter I can work around. That means all i need to do is cut into this wall 3 1/2". So, I guess that is my ultimate question...

Can I put a tankless in this box, 24 x 20? Can I do what is in the picture below?

 

[CaliSkier]

I think I answered my own question... I have another one, $4,600 estimate to install. How long would it take a professinal to install one of these? They will reaplace the gas line, but not far in the attic. I assume they will use the existing exhost line through the roof.
Is this a 4 hour job, a day job, 2 day job?

 

[GReynolds929]

If the existing exhaust piping is not plastic it cannot be used on a condensing water heater. Would most likely need a intake ran to outdoors as well. For me; 1 guy roughly 3/4-1 day, 2 guys 1/2-3/4 day.

 

[CaliSkier]

If the existing exhaust piping is not plastic it cannot be used on a condensing water heater. Would most likely need a intake ran to outdoors as well. For me; 1 guy roughly 3/4-1 day, 2 guys 1/2-3/4 day.

Nice, thank you.