Got an outside water closet. The well outlet, water heater and pressure take are all in there. There is a heater inside the closet and lots of heat tape.Quote:
Originally Posted by SNAFU
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Got an outside water closet. The well outlet, water heater and pressure take are all in there. There is a heater inside the closet and lots of heat tape.Quote:
Originally Posted by SNAFU
Our water is about 50 degrees right now and so far it's keeping it plenty hot. My fix for if it couldn't heat the well water hot enough was to get a small, electric or propane water heater (like a 20 gallon size) and put it in-line between the well and the tankless heater. I figured I could keep 20 gallons of water in the heater and only pre-heat it to 50 or 55 degrees then send it to the tankless heater. Probably only need to do that for a few months, too. I know it kinda defeats the purpose but I'm guessing this thing is gonna save a lot of propane so it's probably still more efficient than a standard water heater.
And we do have an indoor storage tank from our previous water heating unit. So, the water is generally gonna warm up just a bit over the well temp while sitting in the holding tank. I'm gonna see how that works before I start worrying about it.
We got an outside unit so the only thing I'm worried about is the water supply line freezing when it gets cold. That's why I'm putting the heat tape, insulation and box around the pipes. I didn't want to drill a big hole through our log wall for the vent. And the outdoor type seems to work fine for people in northern Europe...they're pretty popular there.
The biggest issue with tankless water heaters is the ratings you see are typically based of of sea level water temps. Our water temps here in CO are a hell of a lot cooler. Also a lot of the require a 3/4 gas line
Guess I'll follow your progress this winter and see how it works. [Freeze]
Some thankless such as the nevian (sp.) Have buffer tanks built in to help with the cooler water temps
I was seriously looking at a Bosche unit at Lowes...
Then I found out - its IMPOSSIBLE to get a permit for one in El Paso County for a manufactured home.
At the time I was living alone and often not home 2-3 days in a row each week so I figured the fuel savings would really add up.
We instaled one when we put in a new furnace. New furnace took a side vent and the new tankless heater used the old roof mounted furnace vent.
All the ones I have installed either ran in 3 inch PVC vent or stupid expensive stainless vent. I am not a huge fan of them though.the savings is there if your situation fits the criteria. You average water heater is 40 k BTU. Where a navien thankless the smallest one I believe is 199 k BTU. Hence the need for a min. 3/4" gas line. So how much are you really saving firing that kinda BTU 's
It's silly to heat your water to 120 degrees with a tankless. Use the heated water feature on your dishwasher, set it at 100 degrees and minimal tempering in the shower. There's a mind set change that has to be done with tankless hot water.
120 degrees is just the thermostat setting. It's probably closer to 107 maybe. Wife wants it just slightly hotter than shower temp cause she likes rinsing dishes with hot water. I was fine with the water temp at about 102.
Women...