In the November issue of the UCO Reporter (p.11), Jerry Karpf stated in his very informative Maintenance column that with regard to tankless water heaters, "...they are illegal and the county won't issue a permit for the installation". He further warns of the possible electrical line burnout and fire which may result from their use and that the owner may risk liability for damages to the building.
My question is this: If tankless water heaters are illegal, pose a threat to life and property, and may be a source of liability for the unit owner who had it installed, then why does the UCO Reporter permit the sale of ad space (P. 38) to plumbers who are advertising their installation?
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BLOGMEISTER reply:
Randall, how can the article be "Very Informative" if it is inaccurate?
How will these people answer a "Contact Us" channel if they do not know the law?
Like many pronouncements of UCO Officers, the statement that "Tankless Water Heaters are Illegal" is incorrect.
However, they are problematic;
One issue is that they draw very high current loads which can be a problem in CV units which are served by 100 Ampere electrical loads. In fact, under certain circumstances, a fire could be sparked.
Another issue is that the contractor whose name we seem to dance around is Peter Amato; who appears to have no license under his own name, in the categories of Construction or Electrical.
---
Mr. Amato did at one time apply for a Real Estate License, but the application expired. (see REF. below)
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Mr. Amato works under another persons license, this is legal, IF the licensed person monitors the work in progress, not unlike an unlicensed apprentice working under a Master contractor; is this happening? I do not know.
So:
No License!
No Permit!
No County inspection!
A very dangerous situation.
As for the advertising in the UCO Reporter and the potential liabilities despite the disclaimers; that is a question for an Attorney.
REF:
https://www.myfloridalicense.com/wl11.asp?mode=0&SID=&brd=&typ=N
Licensee Information
Name:
AMATO, PETER (Primary Name)
(DBA Name)
Main Address:
114 WELLINGTON F WEST PALM BEACH Florida 33417
County:
PALM BEACH
License Mailing:
LicenseLocation:
License Information
License Type:
Real Estate Broker or Sales
Rank:
License Number:
Status:
Application Expired
Licensure Date:
Expires:
Dave Israel
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Tankless Water Heaters
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9 comments:
I noticed that also and was thinking the exact same thing.
The Special project of the Attorney Generals’ office known as ‘Seniors versus Crime’ have been encouraging anyone using handymen as repair workers that the permit office requires all such handymen to become licensed once their work exceeds $ 500.00. That would mean even those working under someone else’s plumbing or electrical licenses are required to be LICENSED! Accordingly, no unlicensed contractor is in compliance with the permit office procedures.
The UCO Reporter, by permitting someone to advertise, is in the minds of some, probably ENCOURAGING unit owners to use such advertisers, and should request copies of scanned licenses before accepting their advertising. Especially when evidence may be available that requires greater scrutiny.
As I remember, the late Larry Kall said the CV building wiring cannot handle the extra volts/watts from tankless heaters. If they were to be installed safely, a major rewiring job for each building would be needed. I can't remember if he commented on their legality, just that they could not be safely installed at present.
Go to the correct source. Call the Building Department of Palm Beach County. Rebecca Caldwell would be happy to help you.
Phone number..233-5100
We did, Anonymous 10:10 am. PBC Building Dept does NOT know or comment on specific buildings. Tankless water heaters are fine in buildings that can support them -- CV buildings do NOT without extensive rewiring.
A licensed electrician and a licensed plumber can install a tankless water heater in most any condo unit. New wires have to be run from the meter room to the breaker box. Possibly a new breaker has to be installed in the meter room.
Now, only so many people can add extra electric before a new service has to be brought in from the transformer to the meter room.
Bottom line, it can be done; it just takes money.
ps. The building department will do a pre-inspection of an individual building if you pay them.
Thank you all for your informative input. Seems to me that with the cost of pre-inspection, permits, the addition of a new breaker, rewiring, etc., that replacing the standard water heater with this alternative... is a 'tankless' pursuit with the potential of putting us all in 'hot water'.
You said it all Randall...
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