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Replacing a hot water heater. Efficiency? Jay Pique 10-22-2006
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Posted by Wilson on October 22, 2006, 8:39 pm


Recirc wastes a lot of energy, unless the runs are thoroughly insulated.
It's like running a little heat loop all the time!
Efficiency wise, you're better off wasting the startup water each time.
Wilson
>
>>
>> I was, money in hand, ready to go tank-less, but am thinking better of
>> it. I think the savings projected depend on an ideal situation. I lack
>> that. If you have a situation where the runs to the taps or appliances
>> that use the hot water are short, it might be a savings. If you are
>> gone and the house is empty more than occupied, you might see some
>> savings. The consensus here seems to be that it would be worn out
>> before the pay off ever came and in the meantime you would have a noisy
>> expensive unit that few people know how to repair, and no reserve hot
>> water during a power outage.
>> My plan now is to put in recirculation loops on the units I have and
>> get instant hot water at the taps. That plan might use a tad more
>> energy to heat the water, but should eliminate a lot of wasted water,
>> which in my case has to be pumped.
>
> My plan when I put in the recirculation pump is to have a push button
> near each water faucet. Push the button, the pump turns on for long enough
> to get the hot water to all faucets on the loop. This will have no
> additional
> loss when no water is being used.
>
> Bob
>
>



Tankless Water Heaters 468x60
Posted by Pat on October 22, 2006, 9:07 pm



Wilson wrote:
> Recirc wastes a lot of energy, unless the runs are thoroughly insulated.
> It's like running a little heat loop all the time!
> Efficiency wise, you're better off wasting the startup water each time.
> Wilson

The only time I've ever seen circulated hot water is in mid-rises where
you have really long runs of pipe -- say 10 floors -- that would never
get fully hot if you didn't recirculate.

> >
> >>
> >> I was, money in hand, ready to go tank-less, but am thinking better of
> >> it. I think the savings projected depend on an ideal situation. I lack
> >> that. If you have a situation where the runs to the taps or appliances
> >> that use the hot water are short, it might be a savings. If you are
> >> gone and the house is empty more than occupied, you might see some
> >> savings. The consensus here seems to be that it would be worn out
> >> before the pay off ever came and in the meantime you would have a noisy
> >> expensive unit that few people know how to repair, and no reserve hot
> >> water during a power outage.
> >> My plan now is to put in recirculation loops on the units I have and
> >> get instant hot water at the taps. That plan might use a tad more
> >> energy to heat the water, but should eliminate a lot of wasted water,
> >> which in my case has to be pumped.
> >
> > My plan when I put in the recirculation pump is to have a push button
> > near each water faucet. Push the button, the pump turns on for long enough
> > to get the hot water to all faucets on the loop. This will have no
> > additional
> > loss when no water is being used.
> >
> > Bob
> >
> >


Posted by Bob F on October 23, 2006, 12:24 am


Did you actually TRY to read what I wrote?

Bob

> Recirc wastes a lot of energy, unless the runs are thoroughly insulated.
> It's like running a little heat loop all the time!
> Efficiency wise, you're better off wasting the startup water each time.
> Wilson
> >
> >>
> >> I was, money in hand, ready to go tank-less, but am thinking better of
> >> it. I think the savings projected depend on an ideal situation. I lack
> >> that. If you have a situation where the runs to the taps or appliances
> >> that use the hot water are short, it might be a savings. If you are
> >> gone and the house is empty more than occupied, you might see some
> >> savings. The consensus here seems to be that it would be worn out
> >> before the pay off ever came and in the meantime you would have a noisy
> >> expensive unit that few people know how to repair, and no reserve hot
> >> water during a power outage.
> >> My plan now is to put in recirculation loops on the units I have and
> >> get instant hot water at the taps. That plan might use a tad more
> >> energy to heat the water, but should eliminate a lot of wasted water,
> >> which in my case has to be pumped.
> >
> > My plan when I put in the recirculation pump is to have a push button
> > near each water faucet. Push the button, the pump turns on for long
enough
> > to get the hot water to all faucets on the loop. This will have no
> > additional
> > loss when no water is being used.
> >
> > Bob
> >
> >
>
>



Posted by on October 23, 2006, 7:01 am



>My plan when I put in the recirculation pump is to have a push button
>near each water faucet. Push the button, the pump turns on for long enough
>to get the hot water to all faucets on the loop...

A $15 motion detector might be more convenient.

Nick


Posted by Greg O on October 22, 2006, 8:00 pm


> Hello,
>
> I need to replace a hot water heater whose tank has cracked. Any
> recommendations? I'm leaning towards just a straight replacement, with
> a good energy rating. However, I've seen some articles on retrofit
> recirculating systems, as well as "on-demand" hot water, and would like
> to hear if anyone has any strong opinions. I'm willing to pay for an
> efficient system provided it breaks even cost-wise over say 5 years.
> Thanks.
> JP
>

Electric? It makes no difference as electric is 100% efficient. Just buy a
good quality, standard 40- 50 gallon, or whatever fits your needs
Now with gas the different heaters are too numerous to mention, but if you
are looking for a 5 year payback, it ain't gonna happen! If it were me I
would just go with a good quality 40 or 50 gallon natural draft heater and
be done with it. It may not be the most efficient, but they are the most
trust worthy as repairs go. Any thing in a water heater that requires
electricity to run will most likely need repairs and there goes you payback!
Plus the price for efficiency goes up fast killing any idea of a quick
payback.
As far as I am concerned, you ether a pay a premium for the equipment, or
pay the utility, cost is about the same in the long run!
Greg




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