Water Heater Dilemma - Smoky Mountian cabin

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Water Heater Dilemma - Smoky Mountian cabin

Kyle Smith
New to Real Estate · Member since 2020 · 220 posts · 107 votes

So I’m at the rough-in stage of my new cabin and a tankless water heater will push me into requiring a 400amp service. Propane or gas is not an option. Cabin sleeps 10. I purchased a tankless but I am considering returning it due to the additional cost of a 400amp service as well as some reviews I’ve seen on reliability (I own one and I know the issues they can cause).   So, I was thinking of buying an 80 gallon traditional. Will this be enough water capacity or should I consider two 50 gallon?  Thoughts?


thanks 

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Luke CarlPro Member
Rental Property Investor · Tennessee Florida · Member since 2016 · 4k+ posts · 5k+ votes
4y

80 is plenty. 2 50s will work too! 

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  • Bruce WoodruffPro Member
    Contractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes
    4y

    You say 80 gal traditional. That would mean gas....? But you said gas is not an option...

    So I'm guessing you mean electric. But wouldn't this also push you into a 400 A service?

    You had a post a while back about no gas, can you reconsider this? A 400 A service for a regular house is ridiculous....

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  • Luke CarlPro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Tennessee Florida · Member since 2016 · 4k+ posts · 5k+ votes
    4y

    80 is plenty. 2 50s will work too! 

    Podcast Guest on Show From Surviving on $30/Day to 30+ Properties Thanks to Blue-Collar Skills
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  • Michael BaumPro Member
    Olympia, WA · Member since 2016 · 8k+ posts · 7k+ votes
    4y

    Hey @Kyle Smith, I agree 100% with @Bruce Woodruff. 400amp service is keeerazy!

    How about a heat pump water heater? They are very efficient as long as they are in a heated space.

    I spent a long time looking at them when our boiler was oil fired. We ended up getting a tankless NG after I converted our boiler to NG instead.

    All the major manufacturers make them. Get one that has the best service in your area. You can put it close to the furnace and it will suck up that heat and heat the water.

    https://www.energy.gov/energys...

    1Reply
  • Paul Sandhu
    Investor · The worst town to live in, KS · Member since 2016 · 4k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    4y

    Get 2 50's.  I have a 40 gallon natural gas that heats up the water and it is stored in an electric 40 gallon tank before going into the house.  It's called thermal efficiency.

    2Reply
  • Ken Boone
    Investor · Greenville, SC · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    4y

    Kyle

    Go down and talk to Sevier County Electric. They will sell you the Rheem Marathon 85 gallon unit with a lifetime warranty for cost.  You can check it out on their website. I have these units in all my cabins but one where it won’t fit. 

    1Reply
  • Lauren Kormylo
    Rental Property Investor · Phoenix, AZ and Rehoboth Beach DE · Member since 2019 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    4y

    Ask your plumber about a 50 gallon with a booster, which is what mine recommended to replace an old 80 gallon one. He said it would supply just as much hot water.  I’ve got a 4 bed/3 bath in a beach area where everyone gets home from swimming and showers at the same time. Haven’t had anyone complain about having no hot water. 

    1Reply
  • John UnderwoodPro Member
    Investor · Greer, SC · Member since 2014 · 13k+ posts · 17k+ votes
    4y

    80 gallon electric will be fine for 10 people. That is what I have at my Lake house.

    I have a Rheem wifi pne that I can control remotely.

    1Reply
  • Ken Boone
    Investor · Greenville, SC · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    4y

    The 50 gallon with booster would probably work too.  The one cabin I don't have the 85 gallon rheem marathon in has a 50 gallon with a booster.  Now me and a buddy have pretty much the same cabin by the same builder except when he built his the plumber did not put the booster on.  He got complaints pretty quick from guests.  The problem is if you have the jacuzzi tubs.  In this particular cabin we have a jacuzzi tub in each king suite.  A standard tub can take up to 80 gallons, these jacuzzi tubs typically go more than that.  Someone would fill one tub up and pretty much drain the hot water, then someone else hopped in the shower and the 50 gallon couldn't recover fast enough.  I have not had that complaint in mine that has the booster so far.  The cabins I am referring to sleep 8 btw.  With 10 I would definitely feel more comfortable with the 85 gallon rheem though.  I wanted to swap this one out to an 85 but it won't fit in the space the builder provided.  Sevier county electric offers 3 sizes of the rheem marathon though.

    1Reply
  • Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
    4y
    Quote from @Kyle Smith:

    I would prefer two 50's. If one dies, you're still functional until replacement can happen.

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  • Kyle Smith
    OP
    New to Real Estate · Member since 2020 · 220 posts · 107 votes
    4y
    Quote from @Ken Boone:

    The 50 gallon with booster would probably work too.  The one cabin I don't have the 85 gallon rheem marathon in has a 50 gallon with a booster.  Now me and a buddy have pretty much the same cabin by the same builder except when he built his the plumber did not put the booster on.  He got complaints pretty quick from guests.  The problem is if you have the jacuzzi tubs.  In this particular cabin we have a jacuzzi tub in each king suite.  A standard tub can take up to 80 gallons, these jacuzzi tubs typically go more than that.  Someone would fill one tub up and pretty much drain the hot water, then someone else hopped in the shower and the 50 gallon couldn't recover fast enough.  I have not had that complaint in mine that has the booster so far.  The cabins I am referring to sleep 8 btw.  With 10 I would definitely feel more comfortable with the 85 gallon rheem though.  I wanted to swap this one out to an 85 but it won't fit in the space the builder provided.  Sevier county electric offers 3 sizes of the rheem marathon though.

    So I’m just now learning about these boosters.  I was thinking of putting in an 80 gal medium height with booster. They are advertising the 80 with booster performs like a 120 gal.  It’s sounding like you have some experience with the results and it sounds promising. 

    0Reply
  • Kyle Smith
    OP
    New to Real Estate · Member since 2020 · 220 posts · 107 votes
    4y
    Quote from @Ken Boone:

    Kyle

    Go down and talk to Sevier County Electric. They will sell you the Rheem Marathon 85 gallon unit with a lifetime warranty for cost.  You can check it out on their website. I have these units in all my cabins but one where it won’t fit. 

    Will do!  Thanks
    1Reply
  • Eddie Torres
    Rental Property Investor · Member since 2021 · 76 posts · 36 votes
    4y

    @Kyle Smith 80 gallon is more than enough

    0Reply
  • Andy Kessler
    Pelzer, SC · Member since 2017 · 26 posts · 10 votes
    4y

    I have the 50 with booster (mixing valve) and no issues after adding it.  Sleeps 8.  

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