Water Heater

[itsbob]

Yes, thought of that too, but that requires extra plumbing, and because the water is being pushed thru the pipes and radiating heat, the heater runs more often to make up the difference. Trade off between how often you use it vs the cost. If you are like me, one person in the house, only shower in the AM, maybe run a dishwasher 2-3 times a week, laundry on weekends, it doesn't pay to keep the 'instant hot' available.

House full of kids, someone home all the time, lots of hot water use, yeah, it makes more sense to loop.

Most of the loops are on a switch (my understanding) if it was a constant loop that wouldn't be any different or no more efficient than having a tank water heater heating your hot water 24 hours a day.

The idea is, you're brushing your teeth with cold water, or getting your cup of coffee, you flip the switch on, by the time you're done brushing your teeth you have instant hot water to shave or to shower with.

 

[GWguy]

Most of the loops are on a switch (my understanding) if it was a constant loop that wouldn't be any different or no more efficient than having a tank water heater heating your hot water 24 hours a day.

The idea is, you're brushing your teeth with cold water, or getting your cup of coffee, you flip the switch on, by the time you're done brushing your teeth you have instant hot water to shave or to shower with.

That was my point... not efficient. But if there is an override switch, yeah... ok. I get it.

 

[itsbob]

That was my point... not efficient. But if there is an override switch, yeah... ok. I get it.

The one I have is oversized to be used as a hot water supplement to an electric Forced Hot Air Heat Pump..

Basically the same principle. Heat pump comes on, the hot water heater starts circulating hot water through a loop that goes through a heat exchanger in the ducts.. Heater cycles on and off to maintain the temperature in the loop, and shuts off when the heat pump no longer gets demand for warm air...

 

[DooDoo1402]

I want to replace my 35 year old Sears 82 gallon electric water heater.
It still heats water ok but the T&P valve leaks. I have to empty the bucket under it twice a week.
Is getting one from Lowes and having their contractors install it a good idea?

Our home just went through this dilemma and our water heater is about the same age... You can disregard my post and listen to folks like itsbob and his ever-so sure ways of living, or you can research and find out not everyone agrees with everything he posts.

And you state you have a 82 gallon? Are you sure about that? It's possible, but rather rare. Typical home water heaters are from 40 to 60 gallon. Yes, you can special order larger.

We scheduled SMECO to do a home analysis and their quote to replace my 40 gallon water heater was WAY too high. And our current WH has the pipes coming straight down, so installation would be a breeze. They quoted nearly $2k for a 60 gallon replacement. and about $3.5k for tank-less.

We researched extensively on the tank-less and believe me, the technology just isn't there for our family hot water needs. Even the SMECO guy told us the bad points. So pull up google and start reading (besides itsbob). You won't like what you find.

Next is Lowes inventory. All they have is Whirlpool models. We went home and researched that product... no way! Many customers were not having hot water issues until they install the whirlpool. So we found the American brand online at Lowes and ordered it. It too nearly 4 weeks to arrive. We paid for it and the installation. Then the Lowes contractor had scheduling issues which added on another 2 weeks to deliver and install. They arrived and claimed that my $250 install was not enough because a faucet on the pipe coming from the celing in my basement will have to be moved. I called Lowes to speak with a manager... by the time I got a manager, the installer packed up and left. I zoomed to Lowes to get my refund and there was the young cocky contractor, hauling in my water heater. The manager apologized over and over... I took my money and will NEVER have Lowes do another contract work on my house. I have nothing but HORROR stories of doors, windows and other things that always went sour. It's seems they find these sleazy contractors who I suppose work cheap... remember, you get what you pay for.

Conclusion: I would suggest to pay more and have it done by pro company! And we are still using our 35+ year old WH without any issues (except that it is old and needs replaced soon)

And are you sure it is a 82 gallon? Ok, here is a small scale to help in measuring your size and needs.

Residential Sizing Guide - Support - American Water Heaters

Hope some of this may help...

 

[itsbob]

Our home just went through this dilemma and our water heater is about the same age... You can disregard my post and listen to folks like itsbob and his ever-so sure ways of living, or you can research and find out not everyone agrees with everything he posts.

...

So sorry that I shared my experiences and opinions..

Interesting that SMECO has issues with gas water heaters.. wonder why that would be?

I couldn't careless if you or anyone else got a tankless water heater, I just know it works great for us, and saves us a crapload of money.

 

[nutz]

Most of the loops are on a switch (my understanding) if it was a constant loop that wouldn't be any different or no more efficient than having a tank water heater heating your hot water 24 hours a day.

The idea is, you're brushing your teeth with cold water, or getting your cup of coffee, you flip the switch on, by the time you're done brushing your teeth you have instant hot water to shave or to shower with.

Usually a timer and not a switch. They can be configured in multiple ways to suit the needs of existing systems too. The true benefit (environment and pocketbook) is not wasting cold water while you wait for hot water.

 

[DooDoo1402]

So sorry that I shared my experiences and opinions..

Interesting that SMECO has issues with gas water heaters.. wonder why that would be?

I couldn't careless if you or anyone else got a tankless water heater, I just know it works great for us, and saves us a crapload of money.

Your sharing is more like, my way and there is no dispute! Is there anything in this life you have never encountered, seen or done? One of them types of folks; referring to many other posts. And I am sure you have your opinion of my posts. You know what they say about opinions...

And I posted nothing about SMECO and gas water heater. Perhaps I wasn't clear enough, but mine is electric.

tankless: It might work for you... so does an amish home without electricity, for some folks. But my extensive online research on the pros and cons; you are in the low minority of satisfied owners. Many experts will recommend staying with a good electric WH with a long gaurantee rather than tankless. After all, it is an investment that can't be easily "undone"! And I explained that the SMECO was attempting to sell me the tankless, but he also gave me some insights to the drawbacks besides the pro savings with the electric bill. There aren't too many pros to the tankless conversation unless you compare it to... ummmm. a bowl of water and your hand lighter.

I am one of those type that... I'll pay a bit more if it means constant hot water. Although they don't admit it, women tend to use more hw than men. So I am not pleasing just myself in the decision... is my point!

 

[DannyMotorcycle]

years ago, living at my mothers home, the WH needed to be replaced.. tankless had just started to come out, i dont' think they had them in lowes/homedepot at the time, and i found one on ebay. I bought that, and installed it myself (electric). It worked great for a while and eventually died I think. A friend had a new WH and sold it to me cheap so I installed that. I had intended to use teh soldering skills i picked up in high school shop class, but found that lowes sold some stuff that was basicly put on the end cut pipes, and screw it together, creating a seal. It worked great. It's been holding at least 10 years now, maybe 15 or so. I saw in the thread that someone said their water wasn't hot enough, some people may not know that there is probably a setting on thier heater that can be turned up for hotter water (assuming the WH isn't bad).

 

[itsbob]

years ago, living at my mothers home, the WH needed to be replaced.. tankless had just started to come out, i dont' think they had them in lowes/homedepot at the time, and i found one on ebay. I bought that, and installed it myself (electric). It worked great for a while and eventually died I think. A friend had a new WH and sold it to me cheap so I installed that. I had intended to use teh soldering skills i picked up in high school shop class, but found that lowes sold some stuff that was basicly put on the end cut pipes, and screw it together, creating a seal. It worked great. It's been holding at least 10 years now, maybe 15 or so. I saw in the thread that someone said their water wasn't hot enough, some people may not know that there is probably a setting on thier heater that can be turned up for hotter water (assuming the WH isn't bad).

SharkBites are the bom-diggity!!

Whoops..

I mean SharkBites are OK.. but I'm sure DooDoo disagrees and has a much better solution..

 

[softtouch]

Well, I did replace the 35 year old 82 gallon water heater with a 50 gallon Whirlpool from Lowes.
The total cost using their contracted installer was $963.22.

$35 pre-installation inspection.
$584.22 for the heater.
$344 for the installation and miscellaneous additional parts. Two shut-off valves and flexible type pipes from the copper down to the heater.
I used to be a DIYer on this kind of stuff, but a age 81 I am just not up to it anymore.

I have the heater set on "energy smart" mode. It is supposed to adjust the temperature based on usage. It has been on 120° every time I have looked at it.

The good news is, on my last SMECO bill, I only used 398 KWh. $59.22 bill. While this was only a 28 day period, it is lower than months with 6 day storm outages.

I have a spreadsheet documenting my power cost and usage back to 1998 and this is the all time low. This may sound like I am annal about power usage, I am not. Being on a fixed income I just like to keep track of stuff. When my usage jumped to 2941KVh in April, it tipped me off that I had heatpump problem.

 

[nutz]

The good news is, on my last SMECO bill, I only used 398 KWh. $59.22 bill. While this was only a 28 day period, it is lower than months with 6 day storm outages.

I have a spreadsheet documenting my power cost and usage back to 1998 and this is the all time low. This may sound like I am annal about power usage, I am not. Being on a fixed income I just like to keep track of stuff. When my usage jumped to 2941KVh in April, it tipped me off that I had heatpump problem.

WOW, I'd like that bill also.
Using the spreadsheet that way is a good thought, thanks for the tip.