Review by S. Knudsen:

Ever since we moved into our new house my wife has complained about how long it took the hot water to get to the kitchen sink from the hot water heater in the garage. Since installing the Ariston GL 4, she has been ecstatic!! Hot water is instant. It is such a pleasure not to have her complain about our former water problem. Even when I am “forced” to do the dishes, I can’t complain about our lack of hot H2O. Installation was easy except for the ill-fitting two top fittings. They will accept the hose extentions (hardware store), but you must be firm and patient. It took away alot of our storage space beneath the sink, but it was worth it.

Review by D. Kamp:

If your living in a place like mine where your hot water heater is a long way from the kitchen sink, then you are probably going crazy like I was waiting and waiting for the hot water to finally get to the faucet. There are technical ways to remedy this, but they involve a lot of plumbing, auxiliary pumps, and ripping half your house apart. Since I rent, I was thinking that the landlord wouldn’t take to kindly to this idea. So I started casting about for a better solution.

That’s when I came up with the idea of putting a little water heater as close to the kitchen faucet as possible. With this, the hot water is right there where you need it. No waiting and wasting a lot of water while running the faucet so that a half mile of plumbing warms up.

‘Only problem is a tiny tank has very limited capacity. If you’re only washing a dish or two like me, then no problem. But if you wash a sink full of dishes, it will quickly run out.

But the trick is to hook this little heater right in line with the hot water supplied from the big tank. As you draw hot water, cold water will go into the small heater, but only for a gallon or two. Then as you continue to draw hot water, the small heater now has hot water being supplied to it, so the hot water just keeps on coming.

I checked around with local suppliers and found small hot water heaters, but most were kinda short and stubby and wouldn’t fit under the sink well at all. But I stumbled upon this neat deal from Ariston. It’s a nice clean design, well insulated, and fits under the sink extremely well. I also felt that the price was very reasonable considering how nice it is. The funny thing is, it seems to be specifically designed for exactly the idea I had in mind. It was a snap to install.

So you may be thinking: Yeah. This all looks good in theory, but does it really work? I have to admit I was skeptical at first, but I have to tell you that this is one of those rare times when an idea I have actually works better than imagined. I’ve done small loads and big. The hot water is right there (immediately!) when you need it. And for all practical purposes it appears to be an infinite supply. I’ve had it in now for about 3 weeks and marvel each time I go to wash out a dish or two. Incredible! Don.

Review by David Stebbins:

Despite Federal tax credits (up to ,000 at this writing) for solar water heating there’s a lack of information on the subject.

For a handyman with good plumbing skills, or a homeowner wanting to learn about solar water heating, this is the best book available.

After a history of solar water heating in the US, the book describes various systems that use the sun to heat and store water. Climate, freeze conditions, water quality and amount of sunlight available are some of the factors considered in choosing a system, and the book describes them all. Individual components are detailed in a logical, straightforward way. It’s obvious the authors have extensive practical knowledge. The writing style is informal and easy to read.

Besides all the solar water heating information, this book also has a good section on radiant floor heating, detailing the use of PEX tubing to heat a concrete slab.

The book uses a lot of drawings to demonstrate how things work. More actual photographs of systems and components would have been helpful. I also wish the authors would have included brand names and sources for equipment. The industry still suffers from the stigma of poorly designed systems of the 1970’s and 80’s. Some reassurances from the authors regarding which component manufacturers are good would have been nice.

For the past two years, I’ve lived with a solar water heating system I bought as a package and installed myself. I’ve been happy with all the “free” hot water it’s provided. If this book had been available when planning my system I would have had a much better idea of what I was doing. Having all the components matched and sized with specific instructions gave me a lot of confidence during installation. In my opinion, for the neophyte, a component package is a good way to go.

For anyone planning a residential sized solar water heating system, this is the best book available. It’s an excellent guide, whether you decide to choose the individual components yourself, buy a package, or hire a contractor to install a turnkey system.

If you’re a contractor or someone wanting to get into the solar water heating business, “Solar Hot Water Systems – Lessons Learned 1977 to Today” (Tom Lane) is very good, but the amount of technical detail implies you already have a good working knowledge of plumbing and roofing. [...]

Good luck getting into hot water!

Review by C. Thomas:

Not being a plumber I can’t say this book will be as much value to someone with those skills. He covers the systems so thoroughly that I would imagine if you had the plumbing ability this book would be all you need to get started.

I was a little frustrated having read the first chapter only to find out that several systems described in detail the author would never recommend using. I was thinking to myself why did I waste time reading about those. But that’s where the comprehensive part comes in. And by knowing why the author doesn’t recommend those systems you get to participate in the joy of knowing everything there is to know about solar water heating.

I especially enjoyed the cost analysis of the hot water systems vs. gas and electric, as well as the discussion of using solar heated water to provide whole house heating.

Review by MV Cinema!:

I had difficulties in getting instructions on how to install the unit even before I bought it! I wanted to know the gas requirements for the unit to make sure I had enough gas pressure for the unit and correct size line. There are no instruction online, I tried sending an email through the website but I got no response. I tried calling the number for Omega 2000 but always got voice mail. I finally tracked down the owner of Omega 2000 (George) and asked him where I could find that info, he asked me to send him an email through the website, I told him that I had and no one responded, he gave me another email address to send the requests to and once again I got no response. Despite not getting the info, I went ahead and ordered the unit along with a vent flue kit and extensions.

The unit was received later than anticipated and was missing the extensions that I ordered. I tried calling George direct as soon as I discovered the missing parts and all I got was voice mail again and his voice mail box was full! So I could not leave any messages. I sent emails letting him know that there were parts missing and please send them, once again no response. After about 2 weeks of calling, he finally answered the phone, I told him because of the missing parts I had to use other flue’s to install the unit. He said to send the kit back and he would refund the costs. I sent the kit back via an overnight service and the package was returned to me saying to such address existed!

I still have the kit that I was never able to return or use and George has still not answered my emails 8 months later!

As the saying goes, you get what you pay for. The unit works ok, it has failed several times right in the middle of a shower and I have to get out and reset the unit in order for it to work again.

I would have given this unit one star, simply due to customer service, but since the unit works almost as its supposed to I gave it two stars.

I do not recommend anyone buying anything from Omega 2000 simply because of their poor customer service.

Review by B. Heywood:

Seems a little fishy that two of these people commented on every Omega 2000 Group product, all on or around the exact same date (usually October 8, 2008), and gave every tankless water heater 5 stars. I suspect that these two are either product dealers or manufacturers posting fake reviews to try and increase sales.