8 Comments for Bosch 2700ES NG Aquastar 7.2 GPM Indoor Tankless Natural Gas Water Heater Reviews

• 1. A. Anderson  |  December 23rd, 2008 at 11:46 pm

  Review by A. Anderson for Bosch 2700ES NG Aquastar 7.2 GPM Indoor Tankless Natural Gas Water Heater
  Rating:
  Bosch ES series is a huge step forward in technical development but such a bad taste has been left by former products and Bosch technical support that few plumbers will recommend one regardless of what improvements are made today or tomorrow. This model still has the same potential for gas valve failure that goes back to their 250 SX series that if condensation or rain is not caught before it reaches the gas valve, the valve must be replaced and is nearly 3X the cost of their competitors. Performance is as stated but if your incoming water temperature is not 65 F then expect far less performance. Your homes gas piping and water piping must be taken into account before considering this and the cost of a single wall stainless steel vent system must be calculated into the total cost. Bosch also requires a propritory roof termination kit that if not installed, voids your warranty and this too adds to the total cost.
  
  As a licensed plumber contractor in Ca and a former authorized service provider I had never in all the years of servicing Bosch, seen a correctly installed Bosch tankless. It really doesn’t take that much effort to read the instructions and follow them. Of all the various makes and models we have installed in nearly 30 years, I never once had a failure or problem due to my own installations. Bosch service calls sometimes totaled more than 35 per week on new installations alone by home owners, handymen and plumbers. If properly installed, they are perfectly good water heaters. Tthey do have the best and most robust heat exchangers of all brands, this particular models control board is the most advanced and user friendly of all but only to service providers.
  
  The only downside is the limited access to Bosch technical support too and if not installed to the letter, Bosch may and have voided warranties in the past.
  
  Due diligence goes a long ways and emotional reviews only blur accurate information for those seeking answers. Bosch is making the effort to improve product and service and I will give them that…

• 2. Megan K. Pollitt  |  December 23rd, 2008 at 11:57 pm

  Review by Megan K. Pollitt for Bosch 2700ES NG Aquastar 7.2 GPM Indoor Tankless Natural Gas Water Heater
  Rating:
  Have to amend my first, glowing review. This thing is crap, and Bosch customer service is completely unhelpful. The heater won’t stay on–keeps flickering on and off–and Bosch basically says they can’t/won’t help. We can’t take showers unless we constantly reset the thing. I have spent 1200 for a complete piece of garbage, and I wish I had a 50-gallon heater.

  One more thing: if you think you are going to save natural gas with this thing, think again. We have saved ZERO on our gas bill–it is so gas-intensive when it on that is more than consumes what our old one used.

  I STRONGLY recommend

• 3. J. Tsai  |  December 24th, 2008 at 12:14 am

  Review by J. Tsai for Bosch 2700ES NG Aquastar 7.2 GPM Indoor Tankless Natural Gas Water Heater
  Rating:
  I purchased this a few months ago and have been using it for a couple of months. When using a tankless water heater, you have to understand that it is different than a standard tank-type water heater. This item is great, but there is a little learning curve.

  Like others have said, it isn’t great for hand-washing and short bursts. But, who really needs a bunch of hot water for washing hands? It takes me like 10-15 seconds max to wash my hands. This appliance is great in several ways: It saves space in the garage, is energy efficient, and provides plenty of hot water.

  I recommend using a licensed professional installer. First, you won’t void your warranty. Second, they will install it properly, as you will likely have to increase your gas-line size (if your home is older like mine). I had an outfit install it that wasn’t particularly familiar. I ended up having to call a plumbing and mechanical contractor to come fix it, after it wouldn’t work. I also suggest the AQ3ES Vent Kit, but be aware that you may have to buy some extra lengths of the stainless vent pipe (they don’t supply very much pipe, just the angles and custom parts).

  Although it is a great product, it does have some things that may detract from user’s full satisfaction. Yes, again, it doesn’t instantly provide hot water. You have to let it run for a little bit. Also, there will be some tweaking for the unit temperature setting to achieve an acceptable flow rate as well water temperature. I’ve only used it during winter, and haven’t had too much of an issue with low flow rates. During the summer should be fine. I live in the Seattle area, and my ground water is 45 degrees (for reference).

  Again, it’s a good product, but different than what you may be used to. If you purchase this product, get a licensed professional that has experience with Bosch tank less water heaters. You will be glad you did.
  

• 4. cypersun  |  December 24th, 2008 at 12:39 am

  Review by cypersun for Bosch 2700ES NG Aquastar 7.2 GPM Indoor Tankless Natural Gas Water Heater
  Rating:
  I used to heat water through my oil fired furnace. Once the 2700ES was installed, I was able to turn off my furnace all together. It is so great to not hear the furnace kick on several times a day to continuously heat water just in case we needed it.

  The only draw back so far is the 20 second wait for the initial delivery of the hot water and this is only a problem for hand washing. My next plan is to install a solar hot water system in series with the 2700ES to save on NG and alleviate the hand washing delay.

  I recommend spending the extra money on the optional Auto Reset GFCI cord so you will never have to worry about resetting the 2700ES after a power failure.

  I also recommend spending the extra money on the AQ3ES Vent Kit because it is designed specifically for the 2700ES and makes the installation a bit easier. The minimum spacing between the intake and exhaust is 3 feet so I placed my unit in the corner of the basement where the intake and exhaust could be on separate walls giving me maximum spacing with minimal pipe runs.

  If you are going to purchase one of these, I suggest checking out [...] as they seem to have the best prices and offer lightning fast free shipping on most all products. Keep an eye on their site though, they continually offer discount coupons and their prices seem to fluctuate.

  All in all, I am thrilled with the 2700ES and with the size of the unit, I am able to get an endless amount of hot water delivered simultaneously to as many showers/appliances as my water pressure can handle. I hear it may be different in the winter but for now, I can easily run two showers and the dishwasher with plenty of hot water and pressure.

  I highly recommend the 2700ES and I strongly recommend having the unit installed by a licensed professional.

• 5. W. Scott  |  December 24th, 2008 at 1:16 am

  Review by W. Scott for Bosch 2700ES NG Aquastar 7.2 GPM Indoor Tankless Natural Gas Water Heater
  Rating:
  It is not the best for a quick hand wash but it is awesome for everything else. Just dial in your favorite temperature and you have hot water all day. I was able to bring the temp down to a point to where I dont need to mix as much cold water in the shower thereby making it safer when someone flushes the toilet in the other room, no scalding! Another added benifit is that it takes less space than the tank. I’m sold on it and will not go back to a tank.

• 6. J. Keller  |  December 24th, 2008 at 1:19 am

  Review by J. Keller for Bosch AquaStar Indoor Natural Gas Tankless Water Heater #125FX NG
  Rating:
  I live in a city apt., and must provide my own hot water. I replaced a 30 gal. tank with the HX (hydro pilot) model. It took some getting use to, it would shut down if I added too much cold to cool off the hot water. 2 1/2 yrs after installation, it doesn’t always want to light. I have to run the hot water for 3 – 5 seconds, turn it off and turn it on again. Most always this works, but its an agravation. Bosch won’t help, as I admitted I installed it in my bathroom, which voids the warranty, and Bosch won’t give any technical advice for this other problem as a result. I installed a large vent in the lower half of the bathroom door, and have had no air intake problems. I am on the top floor and was able to vent out to the roof rather easily. I also have a CM detector/alarm in the bathroom near the unit which registers neglible amounts of CM.

  “The place where you install the heater must have enough ventilation. The National Fire Codes do not allow gas fired water heater installation in bathrooms, bedrooms or any occupied rooms normally kept closed.” from the installation manual, obtainable on the web. This is fine, and ample warning if you get a copy of the installation manual before you purchase the unit.

  The claim that hot water is instantaneous is not true. It actually takes longer than a heater with a tank, which has hot water standing by. The tankless takes cold water, and starts heating it a bit after the water starts to flow, but does come up to temperature pretty rapidly. In Europe (and foreign films) you see these right above the sink in the kitchen for a good reason. My kitchen is some 45 feet away from the bathroom, so it takes a little bit to get hot water, compounded by the fact that I have to turn the water on and off to fire up the unit.

  “Water Valve (Part # 8707002649): The water valve on this heater should be serviced periodically. Lubricate component 36 on page 16 with a small amount of silicon, faucet or lithium grease every two years to keep its o rings fresh and pushrod sliding smoothly. Every 3-5 years replace component 36 on page 16.”
  
  Installation manual.

  Unless you are technically proficient (able to install the unit your self) you will have to hire a plumber to do this. This makes the unit more expensive to maintain than a tank unit, perhaps eating up whatever savings you might realize not keeping a tank hot 24/7.

  So, unless you have extra indoor space to stick this thing, are prepared for the maintenence routine, hopefully it will last twice as long as a tank model (20 yrs vs. 10 years) and will save on the purchase/installation after the first 10 years.

  Savings: It’s very difficult to compare energy usage between the tank/tankless models. I couldn’t find any useful charts, etc to make a reasoned comparison. Perhaps if I was an engineer of some sort. I did have to replace my 12 yr old tank model, and liked the idea of not having to turn it down when I went away, etc. Also, the longevity of the unit is attractive, as well as the hydro (125HX) pilot is cool.

• 7. Jack  |  December 24th, 2008 at 1:53 am

  Review by Jack for Bosch AquaStar Indoor Natural Gas Tankless Water Heater #125FX NG
  Rating:
  February 5, 2007, -10°F (check the records), took a long hot shower. I installed this heater in September 2006 with some anxiety about how it would handle the cold days — some of my research had some reviews stating that the water never sufficiently warmed up when the inlet water turned colder. Our shower has a normal shower head and two “body sprays”. Essentially two showers going at the same time. The temperature has been very comfortably warm no matter what the outside temperature is.

  We try to take one shower at a time since the water pressure in the house decreases so much when two showers are taken at the same time. But on a couple of occasions, we have accidentally taken showers at the same time. Even though the unit is rated as a “single use” unit, we still had plenty of hot water — but at low pressure!

  Positives:
  
  Never run out of hot water.
  
  Consistent hot water temperature — doesn’t get colder and colder as you use up the hot water. I hated constantly adjusting the faucet in the shower to keep the same temperature.
  
  More floor space in the basement.
  
  All copper construction — warranty for 15 years but should last as long as our copper piping in the house. No fear of how long the sacrificial anode will last in the tank type water heater.
  
  Cocktail party discussion factor — people interested in how it works and how it is working.

  Negatives:
  
  Had to run larger gas supply pipe — old heater was ½”, specs call for ¾”.
  
  Minimum flow to get hot water. With a regular tank type water heater, you can turn the sink on full until the water gets hot and then turn it down to a trickle for rinsing plates, shaving, or washing hands. Not with this one! Keep the sink hot water faucet on fully open to keep the hot water flowing. If you turn it down to a trickle, you will eventually get unheated water out of the hot water faucet.
  
  Manufacturer recommends stainless steel ductwork. Boy is this stuff expensive! It cost me almost $300 for about 8 feet with hood and elbows. The manufacturer states that you can use galvanized, but you have to seal it carefully and states that corrosion might eventually eat it away. We intend to stay in our house and opted for the more expensive ductwork in hopes that we don’t have to touch the hot water system for 20 or 30 years.

  Bottom line — as stated above, we don’t intend to move. But if we had to buy a new house I would definitely spend the money to have a tankless installed and would choose the Bosch 125 FX again. If you are building a new house, it would be a no-brainer to have one of these installed since you could have the builder credit the cost of the tank type water heater which would be installed anyway.
  

• 8. Denise L. Vandeville  |  December 24th, 2008 at 2:26 am

  Review by Denise L. Vandeville for Bosch AquaStar Indoor Natural Gas Tankless Water Heater #125FX NG
  Rating:
  Bosch has the worst service department I have ever dealt with as a consumer. They refused to return any emails or phone calls after one of their tankless water heaters blew out our plumbing.
  
  Don’t get me wrong, tankless water heaters are fantastic, but don’t buy one from this company unless you plan to be on your own if anything goes wrong.

Leave a Comment for Bosch 2700ES NG Aquastar 7.2 GPM Indoor Tankless Natural Gas Water Heater Reviews

Trackback this post  |  Subscribe to the comments via RSS Feed