The Tankless Water Heater Debate + Jonathan Knight’s Crazy Old House + Grow a Living Fence episode artwork

EPISODE · Aug 11, 2026 · 51 MIN

The Tankless Water Heater Debate + Jonathan Knight’s Crazy Old House + Grow a Living Fence

from This Old House Radio Hour · host American Public Media

Should you replace your traditional water heater with a tankless model? Plumbing expert Ryan Carpenter breaks down the pros, cons, and hidden costs of both systems, including what homeowners should know before making the switch. Jonathan Knight of New Kids on the Block and Farmhouse Fixer shares memories of growing up in a bustling Victorian home that sparked his lifelong passion for restoring old houses. Then, In The Secret History of Your Home, we take a look at the long, messy history of the toilet. Finally, Landscape contractor Jenn Nawada explains why "living fences" are becoming one of the hottest trends in backyard design. On this episode you'll learn: * How to know whether a damaged standing seam metal roof needs a simple repair or a full replacement. * Whether a solar chimney can actually cool your home and why it works better in some climates than others. * What might be causing squeaky parquet floors and a simple trick that could quiet them down. * Why bathroom ceiling paint keeps bubbling and peeling, even after you've repainted it.All of this, plus we’re answering your home improvement questions at (877) 864-7460.

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Aug 11, 2026

Embed this episode

Ready to play

The Tankless Water Heater Debate + Jonathan Knight’s Crazy Old House + Grow a Living Fence

0:00 51:05

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

No similar episodes found.

No similar podcasts found.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of This Old House Radio Hour?

This episode is 51 minutes long.

When was this This Old House Radio Hour episode published?

This episode was published on August 11, 2026.

Can I download this This Old House Radio Hour episode?

Yes. Use the download control on the episode player to save the publisher-provided media file.
URL copied to clipboard!