SS indirect choice: Viessmann Vitocell 300 vs SuperStor Ultra? Are Viessmanns worth it?

KevinInBoston

I'm trying to decide between a few different indirect water heaters with lifetime warranties, and am down to <span style="text-decoration:underline;">Viessmann </span>vs the <span style="text-decoration:underline;">SuperStor Ultra</span>. 



Are the Viessmanns (the Vitocell V-300 and B-300) worth the extra expense (2x as expensive, at least)? 



Here in the northeast it seems like more people choose the SuperStor.  However the Viessmanns look better made (100% stainless, instead of just a stainless tank like the SuperStor), and weight twice as much (so perhaps they are using better, thicker walls).  Any opinions?



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SpeyFitter

There's a problem with stainless steel indirects

Many of them are made out of stainless steel, so even with an inferior grade of stainless steel with average build quality, they WILL STILL last a fairly long time in residential applications. Commercial high use and/or high temp applications may exploit these attributes a little quicker, BUT no where near as quick as your standard gas steel hot water tank or a steel indirect.

So right now as it stands there isn't a ton of data out there (or expierience to match) to go by as far as who makes the best quality one and who doesn't. But you can definately hedge your bets that because Viessmann uses what is arguably the most robust grade of stainless available for both the coil AND the tank combined with known high quality manufacturing procedures,  you can get that it'll probably outlive you in reasonable/comparable operating conditions to another.  BUT this is not to say others will not. Also consider that while 316 Ti stainless steel is almost a requirement for a long life mod-con heat exchanger (at least in theory/metallurgy arguments presented on this site and some data I`ve read), stainless steel indirects do not typically expierience as harsh of circumstances as far as acidity or high temperatures, so they should in theory last much longer than a mod-con heat exchanger of similar materials.

Personally I like to use the indirect that the boiler manufacturer makes (if they make one) just to keep your branding the same, as well as it makes things easier as far as dealing with warranty issues should you have a problem with your boiler or indirect (or both). 

I think you`d be fine with either personally.  There are also lots of things you can do to keep the odds in your new indirects favour as well.

TonyS

Have to disagree with Scott

Stainless steel comes in all shapes and sizes. It is fairly easy to pick a stainless steel for a gas exchanger because they are operating under the same conditions. 316TI is a low cost ferritic stainless that gets the job done where minimal welding is required. Domestic water is not so easy! Naturally occurring sodium is not a rare occurence and it will eat holes in the 316 or the 316ti or 304 stainless tanks quickly. This is why titanium exchangers are used on swimming pools that use salt for chlorine. If you have high hardness and use an ion exchange with sodium or potassium (softner) this also will shorten the life. First have your water tested( complete makeup) then go from there. You may find a stone lined tank with a replaceable coil is a better choice.

CMadatMe

Vitocell

The Vitocell is in my opinion the best indirect on the market. Costly though. benifits. Never had a leaker and haven't heard of any in 20 plus years in the industry. There is no pro-rated warranty it is a true lifetime tank. No other indirect I know of offers the draw down, reliability and recovery.