Consumer Homes.

Question:

We have the normal electric hot water heater, but because it is a single level house, it is a long way from the kitchen and one of the bathrooms. As a result, taps are left running for a long time before hot water comes through. We are an all-electric house, but gas could be brought in (at a cost). I was thinking about either say, two tankless heaters or perhaps there are better alternatives? I cannot estimate how much the savings would be, but if the total hot water cost is $400/year and we could save , say 10% it seems that we could not pay too much for tankless or other type heaters? We are in a ideal location for solar water heating (Large south facing roof, no obstructions), but again, economics may be the problem. Any ideas? JT in Southern Ontario

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> We have the normal electric hot water heater, but because it is a single > level house, it is a long way from the kitchen and one of the bathrooms. As > a result, taps are left running for a long time before hot water comes > through. > We are an all-electric house, but gas could be brought in (at a cost). > I was thinking about either say, two tankless heaters or perhaps there are > better alternatives? I cannot estimate how much the savings would be, but if > the total hot water cost is $400/year and we could save , say 10% it seems > that we could not pay too much for tankless or other type heaters? > We are in a ideal location for solar water heating (Large south facing roof, > no obstructions), but again, economics may be the problem. > Any ideas? > JT in Southern Ontario

Have you thought about putting a 5 gallon water heater in the hot water line under or in the bathroom. In this way you have almost instant hot water for hand washing. But when you shower you are getting hot water from your main water heater passing through the small one. The only extra operating cost of the small heater would be in just keeping the water temperature up. Not heating cold water to hot water.     Unless of course you have kids like mine who shower until there is no hot water. Richard W.

Response:

>We have the normal electric hot water heater, but because it is a single >level house, it is a long way from the kitchen and one of the bathrooms. As >a result, taps are left running for a long time before hot water comes >through. >We are an all-electric house, but gas could be brought in (at a cost). >I was thinking about either say, two tankless heaters or perhaps there are >better alternatives? I cannot estimate how much the savings would be, but if >the total hot water cost is $400/year and we could save , say 10% it seems >that we could not pay too much for tankless or other type heaters?

no experience, but most folks are "disappointed" with electric tankless for volume use …  but might work for sinks. Or if u have the room, the small 5 gal heaters at "point of use" idea sounds good. I’d imagine they a lot less expensive than demand heaters. >We are in a ideal location for solar water heating (Large south facing roof, >no obstructions), but again, economics may be the problem.

if a do-it-yourself project, a large batch solar pre-heater might make a substantial dent in you heating bill.

Response:

heating (Large south facing roof, >no obstructions), but again, economics may be the problem. > if a do-it-yourself project, a large batch solar pre-heater might make a > substantial dent in you heating bill.

What would this look like? I have thought about adding a few roof panels and connecting glycol filled piping to a coil in a pressurized hot water storage tank. Presumably, glycol circulation needs to be stopped when the sun goes down. Is that what you mean by batch?

Response:

… > if a do-it-yourself project, a large batch solar pre-heater might make a > substantial dent in you heating bill. > What would this look like? I have thought about adding a few roof panels and > connecting glycol filled piping to a coil in a pressurized hot water storage > tank. Presumably, glycol circulation needs to be stopped when the sun goes > down. Is that what you mean by batch?

A batch water heater consists of a water tank, typically painted black, that sits in the sun. It’s also usually enclosed in a glass faced, insulated box. Sometimes folks add mirrors or reflectors in one manner or another to make them work a little better. How they look is up to the person who builds them. The usual method is to use water tanks about the size and shape of normal water heater tanks, laid on their sides. Some versions use a series of long thin tanks to make them easier for roof mounting. I have heard of some folks who simply use a 55 gallon drum sitting on the roof to provide hot showers during the summer. A websearch should yield any number of sites with pictures and more info. Anthony

Response:

for DIY batch and continuous solar hot water heaters, see http://webconx.green-trust.org/2000/solar/solar.htm — Steve Spence Subscribe to the Renewable Energy Newsletter & Discussion Boards. Read about Sustainable Technology: http://www.green-trust.org

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > heating (Large south facing roof, > >no obstructions), but again, economics may be the problem. > if a do-it-yourself project, a large batch solar pre-heater might make a > substantial dent in you heating bill. > What would this look like? I have thought about adding a few roof panels and > connecting glycol filled piping to a coil in a pressurized hot water storage > tank. Presumably, glycol circulation needs to be stopped when the sun goes > down. Is that what you mean by batch?

Response:

Thanks to those who responded on batch tanks – This is quite do-able inour situation. JT

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > … > > if a do-it-yourself project, a large batch solar pre-heater might make a > > substantial dent in you heating bill. > What would this look like? I have thought about adding a few roof panels and > connecting glycol filled piping to a coil in a pressurized hot water storage > tank. Presumably, glycol circulation needs to be stopped when the sun goes > down. Is that what you mean by batch? > A batch water heater consists of a water tank, typically painted black, that > sits in the sun. It’s also usually enclosed in a glass faced, insulated box. > Sometimes folks add mirrors or reflectors in one manner or another to make > them work a little better. > How they look is up to the person who builds them. The usual method is to > use water tanks about the size and shape of normal water heater tanks, > laid on their sides. Some versions use a series of long thin tanks to make > them easier for roof mounting. I have heard of some folks who simply use a > 55 gallon drum sitting on the roof to provide hot showers during the summer. > A websearch should yield any number of sites with pictures and more info. > Anthony

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