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| eternal water heater --what do you think | Rate Topic |
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| Posted: Wed Dec 16th, 2009 11:33 pm |
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21st Post |
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mccordsnn Member 
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After reading the information on this forum I thought I would provide a short unsolicited and non-endorsed review of the Eternal GU-32 DV that I just purchased. First, although I was somewhat skeptical when I purchased this unit I am extremely happy to report that it works as advertised... I never thought I would go out of my way to give a review on a water heater, but this one has really surprised me and my family. It is extremely efficient and consistently delivers hot water on demand. I have to admit that after my initial positive impression I have been trying to find a flaw with this unit by running multiple showers, dishwashers, washers, and fossetts simultaniously. Amazingly, it has kept delivering hot water (131F) on demand regardless of what we've done to undermine the advertised capabilities. 
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| Posted: Thu Dec 17th, 2009 01:53 am |
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22nd Post |
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Ej Member 
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How about a picture of the heater with you and your family standing around it. Thanks.
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| Posted: Thu Dec 17th, 2009 03:31 am |
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23rd Post |
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elenano Member
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I'm the administrator of this forum. It IS unusual for people to give reviews of water heaters. If you look at how this string started, there is the appearance of a sales rep talking up the Eternal, which I have heard is, in fact, a pretty good heater, once you get past the initial cost. So I'm curious: what brought you here and why did you decide to hunt up this topic, which is an old one? Forgive me for being suspicious, but I don't like companies using me as an advertising medium and one way to do that is to make sure a string favorable to them is at the top of The Tank. Randy Schuyler
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| Posted: Fri Apr 30th, 2010 12:15 am |
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24th Post |
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kimmer Member
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I know this thread hasn't had a post for a while, but can anyone who owns an 'Eternal' give me an idea of the savings you have seen on your utility bills. Yes, I understand my savings will be different based on our local rates, etc, I'm just looking for an idea. I have one plumber who is saying the Eternal is the way to go, but the cost is $3400 installed... although we will get $150 Focus on Energy rebate, and a 30% tax credit, which will get us down to just over $2000 when it's all said and done. Thanks, Kimmer
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| Posted: Tue Oct 19th, 2010 01:21 am |
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25th Post |
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jenni101 Member
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I just had an Eternal GU145S installed. For me, it doesn't work. I get scalded or frozen when 1 person takes a shower. When 2 showers are running, there is not enough water pressure to keep both heads flowing. This is weird and maybe not a cause of the water heater but it didn't happen 4 days ago when I still had a storage tank. We never had any problems. I'm also curious what my gas bill will be as this heater turns on every 2 hours to reheat the internal tank. Oh, I note that the outside of the unit is very hot to touch (would melt butter in 2 minutes) but I think it can't be insulated because there is circuitry inside and am worried it might over heat (don't laugh I'm not an electrician or plumber  ) So with those thoughts I will continue testing and trying to resolve the issues with my real plumber, but these are something to consider before purchasing this hybrid. Oh-we talked with the gas company and the meter and gas line are supposed to be able to handle the demands. Lastly! someone asked, why post to this thread now since its 'old'? ...I'm looking for others that have had the same experience (sorry to all the reps on here) and maybe I will get an idea that will fix situation. I'm having a hard time finding anyone [real] who has a hybrid unit. Thanks for hosting. Last edited on Tue Oct 19th, 2010 01:29 am by jenni101 |
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| Posted: Tue Oct 19th, 2010 04:51 am |
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26th Post |
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elenano Member
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Don't feel bad about posting to an "old" thread. People do it all the time. There is one some ways down in The Tank that could turn into a novel if people keep adding to it! It's just that, for awhile, I was very wary about using a post to a particular thread as a way of bringing it back to the top, a form of advertising. Nobody would accuse you of posting an ad for an Eternal!  Randy Schuyler Last edited on Tue Oct 19th, 2010 04:51 am by elenano |
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| Posted: Tue Oct 19th, 2010 07:26 am |
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27th Post |
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eleent Member
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Hello: Has the Eternal rep been contacted? If their heaters all behaved as you describe, they would be nothing more than a bad memory. I'd also look into the plumbing to see if there could be a flow restriction/imbalance there. Yours, Larry
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| Posted: Thu Oct 21st, 2010 12:17 am |
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28th Post |
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jenni101 Member
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Hi- Yes the rep is coming back tonight to see if the water is completely turned back on (at the street) and to see if there is a faucet 'looping back' and pulling hot water into the cold side (there wasn't before the new heater). I did find out that both showerheads in the house have same temp change variations. Will post if an answer is found. Thanks again
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| Posted: Fri Oct 22nd, 2010 06:25 am |
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29th Post |
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speed_bump Member
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Hi, I haven't looked at the eternal, nor read all the posts. But the few things I do see is: Nothing beats real life hands on experience. the fellas at this site not only have that, but also display an altruistic Modus Operendi to help people. Kudos for this site being awesome. 2nd. more complex design = more complex fixes. It's a water heater. a tank, with a heating element, that corrodes over time. Yes, technology is in our favor, newer alloys, more efficient heat transfer mechanisms, better flow in and out, etc..but in my line of work (large scale biotechnology--25k L reactor vessels with temp control, pH control, condo, osmo, flow in, flow out, complex biochemical reactions...etc), we always try to stick with the KISS principle...Keep It Simple "Sir". I've personally built, and worked on very complex vessels, and yes, in hindsite...should have kept it simple....because finding replacement parts for novel technologies that went bust is a PITA. If sales reps are coming here to peddle their goods by impersonating consumers..well all i can say is shame on them. Speed Bump over and out 
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| Posted: Sat Dec 11th, 2010 05:44 pm |
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30th Post |
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gormish Member
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I found this forum two weeks ago by searching for eternal, as I was trying to decide what to replace my conventional water heater with. Although this forum seemed inconclusive I decided to install an eternal (145(S)). Here's the one week report: 1) Not Cheap, easily $1500 more than a straight up 40-gallon replacement would have been. Hopefully the tax credits come through. Part of this was installation of the dedicated gas line. 2) Works flawlessly. Two showers and kitchen tap, full on, no limit on hot water. We used to stagger showers. 3) Unit stays cool. There was some comment about a unit getting hot, I don't know if that was a different model, or improperly installed, but my experience is the top of the unit is slightly warm, and nothing else is. It is absolutely amazing to me that you can have a fire so big you need a dedicated gas line, and then vent via PVC. The heat must really be going into the water. 4) Unit is noisier than I expected. The main noise is the powered air intake, yes there's a big sucking sound It's in the garage, so doesn't bother us at all, but I wouldn't but this thing in a hall closet!5) Smaller unit. We are recovering a bit of space in the garage, nice in a small house. I'm very happy, but it's only been a week. Unless natural gas prices shoot up, it will probably take 8 years for payback. So the real question is will it last the 20 years of guarantee? My last tank came with a 12 year guarantee and lasted 10. If this one lasts 15 it will be money well spent.
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| Posted: Sun Dec 12th, 2010 02:35 pm |
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31st Post |
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Ej Member
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Your warranty does not cover any failures or operating difficulties due to accident, abuse, misuse, alteration, misapplication, vandalism, improper installation, maintenance or service, as set out in your operator's manual. On page 47 of the manual is your "Required" service. http://eternalwaterheater.com/pdf/downloads/ECH%20OM%206-17-10.pdf You are going to need to add the cost of this service in yearly to your price. My cost would be upwards of 200.00 -300.00 to do this. If you don't do this and obtain proof your going to void your warranty. Since they claim no sediment buildup and we all know sand and minerals are still going to be in the water then it must get pushed into your faucets and valves. It has to go somewhere. These are going to need cleaning more often. Also since this heater has complicated electronics incorporated in its design, I have never seen such a component that last 20 years and I make my living servicing complicated heating units outside the scope of your neighborhood plumber. So I'll be watching this thread with interest and hope you come back here in the future to keep us updated. A suggestion from me would be to get your "Authorized" technician lined up and one that has the most common parts available so any stoppage of your heater is not met with extended downtime. Wives and teenage girls really frown upon this. Last edited on Sun Dec 12th, 2010 02:36 pm by Ej |
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| Posted: Mon Dec 13th, 2010 07:29 pm |
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32nd Post |
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ecouser Member
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Interesting. The post saying their Eternal hybrid works, gives me hope. Perhaps ours is just a fluke. The Eternal 145 we had installed 1 month ago has only scalding water or lukewarm/cold water and not much in between. Good for dishes but keeps you on the edge of the shower for that inevitable change. I guess I agree that it is very noisy when its running, you can hear it throughout the house. (small house). But on the up side the plumber said we can turn the power off to it when its not needed. I talked to a plumber for a major green builder in our area last week, he said he doesn't recommend installing them because he's had all the units do the same thing. Seems like the technology is not quite ready.
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| Posted: Fri Dec 24th, 2010 02:21 am |
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33rd Post |
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BillyCrash Member
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Hello, new to the forum here. Found this post because I'm in the process of building a home, and my builder uses the Rinnai tankless heaters as standard equipment. However I recently came across several articles about the Eternal heaters which generally were very positive of the improved features such as efficiency, self-cleaning, pvc venting, etc. My builder contacted his plumber who said he does use them, so this is an option for me. They are advising that if I choose the eternal, the incremental cost to me is $400 per unit (I need two units). So to me that's a fairly significant cost, and I'm trying to calculate my breakeven time. I think vs a regular water heater, the higher efficiency would cause the b/e time to be fairly reasonable even though the purchase cost is significantly higher. But vs the Rinnai, I don't think there is that much difference in efficiency, so I'm thinking the b/e time will probably be significant. Anything over 8-10 years b/e to me will probably cause me to stay with the regular Rinnai vs the upgrade. Any thoughts on this? Thanks. BC
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| Posted: Wed Apr 13th, 2011 05:15 am |
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34th Post |
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bertman4 Member
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Hi, I'm new to the forum. I am considering installing a gas tankless water heater for a four bedroom, three bath, split level home with a gas furnace and gas tank water heater in Seattle WA. One of the installers recommended Eternal. A quick Google search led me here. I see that the original post was in 2007. It's now 2011. It appears there were some problems with the first try at the hybrid system from Eternal. I am wondering if people's opinion has changed now that the early kinks in the technology has been addressed? I'm considering tankless because the bedroom closet where the tank water heater (direct vent type) is located is now illegal (code change says now must be direct vent, must be only for water heater, and door must be self closing gasketed door). I have a utility room right next to this bedroom and this is where I am thinking of placing the tankless. Unfortunately the upper level overhangs the lower level. Venting needs to be extended quite a bit, which is why the Eternal was recommended since venting can be with PVC versus really expensive stainless venting for other companies. Thanks for any updates. Bertman Last edited on Wed Apr 13th, 2011 05:16 am by bertman4 |
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| Posted: Wed Apr 13th, 2011 05:16 pm |
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35th Post |
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eleent Member
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Hello: Did you see the post about noise? I'd be wary of putting a noisy heater anywhere near a bedroom. Your usage sounds quite high. Is there a way with low water use equipment or shower heat exchangers or efficient plumbing to reduce the load and then need to buy only one heater? The other question about cost might be best answered by bringing up life-cycle cost. If the unit is claimed to last twenty years, add up all costs over that time including equipment, installation, energy and maintenance. Divide by twenty to get the yearly cost. Do the same for whatever other options you're considering. You can get more precise figuring energy and labor cost increases and find a break even date. Some equipment never does break even  Yours, Larry
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| Posted: Wed Apr 13th, 2011 10:02 pm |
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36th Post |
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jenni101 Member
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I've never been able to get my Eternal Hybrid to heat water correctly. I can't get Eternal to return my letters, my email or my calls regarding the problem and there are no local plumbers willing to tackle the new hybrid system. With my households' new desire to avoid a shower at all costs, there is no question it was an unfortunate purchase. If you recall the problem was that the water temp runs cold after < 2 minutes (even at 1.5gpm) then after you have huddled in the back of the shower for a while it will heat up instantly and scald you. Its really only a problem if you are trying to rinse your hair and can't jump with your eyes closed. If you still want to install one, make sure its doesn't get installed sitting on the floor (you'll have tons of fun squatting down on the floor to turn it on or adjust or read the buttons).
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| Posted: Thu Apr 14th, 2011 08:44 pm |
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37th Post |
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bertman4 Member
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Thank you for the replies. It turns out I have more options now. The bedroom location is still legal. One of the estimators was not knowledgeable about the code. So my choices are a Noritz in the bedroom location, or an Eternal or Navien in the utility room. Bertman Last edited on Thu Apr 14th, 2011 08:47 pm by bertman4 |
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| Posted: Thu Apr 21st, 2011 01:13 am |
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38th Post |
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stuart Member
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I am looking at several different water heater options and eternal gu195 is one of them. Can anyone post who has had one for more than a year and tell me what they think after using it for that period? Also what is the yearly maintenance needed on a unit like this, can the owner do it without voiding the warranty? Is it as easy as cleaning out a strain filer?
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| Posted: Fri Apr 22nd, 2011 03:59 pm |
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39th Post |
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Tankless in Scottsdale Member
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Grand Hall, USA, owners of Eternal has been in business for 40 years and has the highest D&B possible.
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| Posted: Fri Apr 22nd, 2011 04:05 pm |
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40th Post |
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Tankless in Scottsdale Member
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Eternal is self cleaning and only needs to have the condensate trap dumped every other year or so. Takes less then 5 minutes and an be done by the owner with no warranty problems. I have owned one for 2 years and installed dozens of GU145 and 195 units. Very few problems. Most were from inproper install. Use someone that has been company trained and has installed a few.
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