The Takagi T-K-Jr Tankless Hot Water Heater – A Product Review

Let’s take a brief look at the T-K Jr. the smallest water heater in the Takagi line of tankless water heaters.

According to Takagi, it can meet the hot-water needs of a small home or apartment with one or two bathrooms, as well as small commercial applications.

Takagi claims it was designed to do anything a standard 40-gallon tank-type water heater can do. The T-K Jr. works with both hydronic baseboard and radiant floor heating. It has an energy efficiency rating of .81 when burning natural gas and can provide 3.8 gallons per minute with a 60 degree temperature rise. The maximum input is 140,000 Btu. 

When the water heater detects a flow of at least 0.75 gallons per minute, the heater turns on. While the computer in the controls monitors the water temperature, flow rate and gas flow.

When the burners ignite, a lamp comes on telling you the tankless water heater operating normally. The internal computer controls the gas valve and controls the water flow to maintain the preset water temperature of the water at the outlet
While reading through the owner’s manual, which you can find online at Takagi’s site, I ran found the following statement:

“The unit should be checked once a year or as necessary by a licensed technician. If repairs are needed, any repairs should be done by a licensed technician. The following systems and parts should be checked at least once a year:
1. Venting system
2. Burner
3. Manual operation of the pressure relief valve to ensure correct operation.
4. Periodic cleaning of the water filter (figure above).
5. Heat exchanger. Remove the thermistor and check for a mineral coating. A mineral coating on the thermistor requires flushing the heat exchanger with a de-scaling solution. Scale build up will void your warranty and shorten the life of your water heater.”

You might have to add the cost of a yearly maintenance check to the costs of your tankless water heater, and that could reduce the savings from your tankless water heater.

Elsewhere in the Takagi site I read this:

“8. Water hardness may affect the water heater. Water heater may be damaged. The warranty will not cover damage caused by water quality.”

It’s something for you to think about if you live in a hard water area.

The Takagi T-K Jr requires a 110 Volts to operate the controls, so if there is a power failure your tankless water heater won’t be able to provide you with hot water.
The T-KJR can be used for space heating, and potable hot water heating at the same time.   I think it would make a great tankless water heater for point of use applications like for a single bathroom or the kitchen.

The owner’s manual includes information on how to use the hot water heater for baseboard and for radiant heating applications and comes complete with diagrams of typical systems.

Turn your hot water plumbing green with an energy efficient Takagi tankless hot water heater.

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