Addiction XXXII
02-09-14, 04:13 PM
#826
Speechless
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Central NY
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I am also looking into a new water heater as mine is 22 years old; I know each day I have a hot shower is a blessing. I have LP gas so a little different boat, but from what I can tell tankless works great if you can place them near each outlet, i.e. one per bathroom, kitchen and laundry. The small ones for gas are relatively cheap. To have one for the whole house requires a pretty expensive option. My plan is to replace with a new tank type. Depending on your water quality and how long you plan to be in the house it may also be smart to add a filter. My water is not great from my well and has created lots of problems for me.
The benefit of gas is that you are not as limited as far as temp rise as electic units. Most of the electric on demands are 70 or 90 degree, which means you will never get past 140 deg water unless you put two in series. Depending on placement and flow, they may take longer than you think to actually produce worthwhile hot water.
My data on this is old, but in a previous employee, the company owner wanted instant, and I mean instant, hot water at any potential hot water source in his home. We ended up creating a system with multiple units and perpetual temperature regulated flow through all of his hot water pipes. It was a pain, but some fun engineering. No one else in the free world would ever want it, but it gave me the chance to research different styles of units and their limitations.
02-09-14, 04:26 PM
#828
Senior Member
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Location: Colorado
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I would be careful if you see a "relatively cheap" gas fired on demand water heater. Some of the tricks I have seen: most gas fireds, IIRC, will be in the 120-180k BTU range, and will require a powered vent attached. I have seen some units for sale that look like a deal until you see that they don't include the $400 vent. These things will also sound like a blast furnace when they go off, but you can get hot water flow rates that are 2-3 times that of electric.
02-09-14, 04:35 PM
#829
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In case there was any doubt that running is dumb...
https://deadspin.com/runner-eats-it-i...nin-1519107024
https://deadspin.com/runner-eats-it-i...nin-1519107024
02-09-14, 05:15 PM
#830
Mostly Harmless
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In case there was any doubt that running is dumb...
https://deadspin.com/runner-eats-it-i...nin-1519107024
https://deadspin.com/runner-eats-it-i...nin-1519107024
02-09-14, 05:19 PM
#831
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: WNY
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In case there was any doubt that running is dumb...
https://deadspin.com/runner-eats-it-i...nin-1519107024
https://deadspin.com/runner-eats-it-i...nin-1519107024
80 minutes on the trainer today. No running.
02-09-14, 05:21 PM
#832
Should Be More Popular
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BTW the small hot water heaters (30-40 Gal) are pretty inexpensive, 300 bucks. Turns out the larger one (80 Gal) are easily double that. With 3 females in my house, I am looking at the larger one. Plus, that's the size we have now so the setup will be easier/cheaper if we replace current unit with one of the same size.
02-09-14, 05:30 PM
#833
cowboy, steel horse, etc
Join Date: Sep 2008
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Coffee's good for after a nice snow ride. I was thinking of heading out for another spin so I could get some mesquite charcoal but the snow's getting way soft in a lot of places so I'm staying in 'til it's good hardpack everywhere once again.
https://www.strava.com/activities/112291693
https://www.strava.com/activities/112291693
02-09-14, 05:31 PM
#834
he said member
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Anyone know much about electric hot water heaters??
Here is my story. Current hot water heater was here when we moved in 12.5 years ago but I think it was relatively new, so I would guess it's 14 - 16 years old. It's 82 Gallons. I know you are supposed to drain these things periodically but I have pretty much ignored it.
A couple of weeks ago my wife and kids were complaining that there was not enough hot water for a bath. I only take showers so I don't have a problem. I looked at the unit and noticed that the lower element (there are two) needed the "reset" button pushed.
I also turned up the temp a notch on both elements. It's nice and hot now and they don't need to be reset, but family still says hot water runs out if taking a bath or long shower.
So from what I can tell, I have three options:
A. Buy new heating elements for both top and bottom, and DIY. I read the manual and I think I can do this, although it may be a hassle. Cost approx $100.
B. Get professional plumber/electrician to analyze problem and fix. The parts may be cheaper since I suspect only one element and/or thermostat needs to be replaced, but we are going to pay a premium for the work. Estimated cost $250.
C. Get new heater. Approx cost for heater + installation is maybe $600.
I have heard that life expectancy for hot water heaters is only about 10-12 years, so it sounds like our unit is living beyond its range anyway, so that makes C the apparent winner.
But I am open to suggestions.
BTW we don't have gas, only electric. I would consider one of those new "on demand" tankless water heaters but I have heard that they are very pricey and at current electicity rates take something like 20 years to pay for themselves, and they don't have a long track record on longevity.
Suggestions??
Here is my story. Current hot water heater was here when we moved in 12.5 years ago but I think it was relatively new, so I would guess it's 14 - 16 years old. It's 82 Gallons. I know you are supposed to drain these things periodically but I have pretty much ignored it.
A couple of weeks ago my wife and kids were complaining that there was not enough hot water for a bath. I only take showers so I don't have a problem. I looked at the unit and noticed that the lower element (there are two) needed the "reset" button pushed.
I also turned up the temp a notch on both elements. It's nice and hot now and they don't need to be reset, but family still says hot water runs out if taking a bath or long shower.
So from what I can tell, I have three options:
A. Buy new heating elements for both top and bottom, and DIY. I read the manual and I think I can do this, although it may be a hassle. Cost approx $100.
B. Get professional plumber/electrician to analyze problem and fix. The parts may be cheaper since I suspect only one element and/or thermostat needs to be replaced, but we are going to pay a premium for the work. Estimated cost $250.
C. Get new heater. Approx cost for heater + installation is maybe $600.
I have heard that life expectancy for hot water heaters is only about 10-12 years, so it sounds like our unit is living beyond its range anyway, so that makes C the apparent winner.
But I am open to suggestions.
BTW we don't have gas, only electric. I would consider one of those new "on demand" tankless water heaters but I have heard that they are very pricey and at current electicity rates take something like 20 years to pay for themselves, and they don't have a long track record on longevity.
Suggestions??
Sounds like the Dip tube has eroded. As you use hot water, cold water refils the space vacated. The Dip tube puts the cold water at the bottom of the tank. This minimizes mixing of cold and hot water allowing the heated water to be used first. Some tanks use a plastic tube that needs to be replaced periodicly.some use metal and are subject to electrolysis. Iam haing a similar problem with mine
As time goes on the tube becomes shorter and allows mixing sooner and sooner
Last edited by ls01; 02-09-14 at 05:34 PM.
02-09-14, 05:43 PM
#835
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See, this is why we can't have nice things. - - smarkinson
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02-09-14, 06:13 PM
#836
Senior Member
BTW the small hot water heaters (30-40 Gal) are pretty inexpensive, 300 bucks. Turns out the larger one (80 Gal) are easily double that. With 3 females in my house, I am looking at the larger one. Plus, that's the size we have now so the setup will be easier/cheaper if we replace current unit with one of the same size.
An old shower head can be about 15 gallons per minute. The new one is around 3 gallons per minute. 10 minute showers ? 150 gallons or 30 gallons is a big difference. If you have an 80 gallon tank not all 80 gallons will be at maximum temperature.
If the water coming from the tank is 125 F and you need to blend in a little cold to get it down below 120, not all the gallons used will be from the hot water tank when taking a shower. But it could easily drain an 80 gallon tank in one shower. The size of the tank, the power of the heating elements, the insulation of the tank, and even heat loss through adjoining pipes all effect how long it takes to recover the tank when it's cold too.
edit: If everyone in the house is going to take showers consecutively, 80 gallons may be too small.
Also adding more insulation to the outside of the existing tank will help a little. The difference in the temperature at the top and the bottom won't be quite as much.
Last edited by 2manybikes; 02-09-14 at 06:22 PM.
02-09-14, 08:37 PM
#837
So it is
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Westminster, CO
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I might have to run up to Fort Collins next Saturday and give The Oval a shot. See how I feel for the next weekends race.
02-09-14, 09:34 PM
#838
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I knew that "Super stiff frame" thread was going to be full of win.
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See, this is why we can't have nice things. - - smarkinson
Where else but the internet can a bunch of cyclists go and be the tough guy? - - jdon
02-09-14, 09:56 PM
#840
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02-09-14, 10:12 PM
#841
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...thank you. I hate it when I miss stuff like that. #I_like_to_watch
02-09-14, 10:20 PM
#842
cowboy, steel horse, etc
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Today I had a whole day to kill, so smoked some beef.
02-09-14, 10:29 PM
#843
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02-09-14, 11:27 PM
#844
Mostly Harmless
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02-09-14, 11:39 PM
#845
Mostly Harmless
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02-10-14, 12:19 AM
#846
Mostly Harmless
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02-10-14, 12:36 AM
#847
Mostly Harmless
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02-10-14, 01:07 AM
#848
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....you can make yourself crazy with different fit calculators. You've said yourself you don't have that far to go.
02-10-14, 01:19 AM
#849
Still can't climb
these calculations just get you in the ball park. that's why when I built my last bike, I had a dead cheapo stem and seatpost and just hoped they worked. As it turned out they didn't and I replaced both.
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coasting, few quotes are worthy of him, and of those, even fewer printable in a family forum......quote 3alarmer
No @coasting, you should stay 100% as you are right now, don't change a thing....quote Heathpack
coasting, few quotes are worthy of him, and of those, even fewer printable in a family forum......quote 3alarmer
No @coasting, you should stay 100% as you are right now, don't change a thing....quote Heathpack
02-10-14, 01:21 AM
#850
Still can't climb
In that freezing weather I bet there is a high chance of ice patches. I need to htfu.
__________________
coasting, few quotes are worthy of him, and of those, even fewer printable in a family forum......quote 3alarmer
No @coasting, you should stay 100% as you are right now, don't change a thing....quote Heathpack
coasting, few quotes are worthy of him, and of those, even fewer printable in a family forum......quote 3alarmer
No @coasting, you should stay 100% as you are right now, don't change a thing....quote Heathpack
