17 year old hot water tank

boosh

I have a burnham 204pvpi.t2 lp gas fired boiler with a separate lp gas fired 75 gallon water tank both installed new in 7/1999. I feel the hot water tank is at the end of its lifespan and am researching options to replace. Requesting input for options...Indirect? Another gas? Electric? Tankless? I am leaning towards indirect due to potential lp gas savings. Will the boiler I have handle indirect? Should I be concerned with lp gas usage over summer months? I have read about systems online where you can switch to electric during the summer...is this feasible? Thank you in advance for sharing your knowledge.

SWEI

What are you paying for LPG and electricity?

jumper

Indirect does not save fuel.

Firecontrol933

The one advantage to the indirect off your boiler is that you can get an indirect with a lifetime warranty. No savings really. Will your current boiler handle it? Depends on a lot of variables that weren't listed, but in most cases the answer is yes. It used to be that pricing was a big factor between an indirect and a direct fired gas water heater, not so much anymore.

SWEI

If the old water heater is a standard atmospheric, the indirect will save a fair bit of fuel.

BobC

It all depends on how much hot water you use, if you use a lot the indirect will do a better job - if you don't, it won't make much of a difference. You might be surprised how long some tank hot water heaters last especially if you change the anode rad every 3-4 years.

For the last 8 years my 40 gallon gas HWH uses 4-6 therms a month in the non heating months, it's just me so my hot water needs are light. My customer charge is higher than the gas I use for hot water so explain how long it would take for an indirect to make me whole. They do cost significantly more than a tank HWH by the time all is said and done.

Bob