hydronic heat, water heater or just use my boiler?

Mike T., Swampeast MO

Since they have no flue, indirects have far less heat loss than gas or oil water heaters. Modern tank water heaters come in one variety--cheap and short-lived. Even the least expensive indirects are likely to last longer than a tank water heater and the best are virtually eternal.

anton strutynskyj

boiler or hot water heater

i am converting to a gas fired boiler and i would like to know if any one can give me the pros/ cons of heating from the boiler for hot water or using a water heater. There are 2 of us living in the house. the new boiler will have 2 zones . If i heat my water with the boiler i will need to add another zone, i know. Is it more efficient to use the hotwater boiler and tank for hot water or is it better to just use a 50 gal stand alone water heater.

AlHeating

Indirect all the way


I agree with Mike. Even high-efficiency 'stand-up' water heaters may have good combustion efficiencies, but the heat transfer ratio is poor.

Also, the efficiency of a 'stand-up' water heater will decrease year after year because of the limescale accumulation at the bottom. It will not be the case with an indirect.

However, make sure that the indirect tank you will choose will handle all the capacity of the boiler. If it's not the case, the boiler will cycle much more than expected. In a normal residential application, it's usually not a problem. Also be aware that because of the DHW demand, the boiler will fire many times a day so its lifetime may be shortened. A mod/con boiler could be more appropriated. One exhaust is simpler and cheaper.

Most of the Stainless Steel indirect on the market has a lifetime waranty for residential use. It talks by itself ...