Burnham k2 combi - takes long time for hot water

Jiggs1219

Hey guys,

Just converted to gas and have this unit. Every time there is a call for hot water, the combi unit goes through a series of tests before the unit fires off and starts producing hot water. This happens every time and we have to wait 3 to 4 mins for hot water. It seems it goes thru a procedure where it runs a series of tests before giving the OK to turn on the flame. This is very annoying as you can imagine and wife is not happy. The plumber who converted called Burnham and they told him that’s normal. They said according to him that’s it’s setup fine and that there isint a way to turn off 45 second to a minute of tests. I find that hard to believe because it’s just not practical. I have heard of waiting for hot water. 30-45 seconds but not 3 mins. Somehow is there a way to bypass the procedure? I don’t know if anyone knows what I’m talking about but maybe someone with this unit or has experience with this unit knows what I am talking about. Please help. Our next option is to buy a separate hot water tank. Thanks.

Jiggs1219

Can anyone help? Thinking of getting a 30 gallon electric water heater to fix this. Was hoping not to

Jamie Hall

No one is helping, likely because if you have a large (and a combi is large) gas fired appliance it is going to go through a self test before it lights off. This is a safety issue. The length of the self test and purge varies somewhat with manufacturer, but 45 seconds doesn't sound unreasonable.

The remainder of the delay is likely to be the length of time it takes the unit up to temperature and the length of time it takes the now hot water to get to your tap. 20 feet of half inch pipe has -- roughly -- a gallon of water in it; with some low flow shower heads, for instance, it may take a minute just to empty the cold water out of a 20 foot pipe.

mikeg2015

Some combi’s are faster at switching and their internal heat exchanger stores some heat on initial startup.

In your case, seems like it needs a small electric as a buffer tank.

Really wont cost much to operate your only heating that first 1 minute of water flow. Probably 10-20% of your total hot water use. Most water use are longer draws for showers, tubs, dishwasher and clothes washer.

You can also store it at 140F and use a mixing valve for more stable temperatures.

windsor454

I was wondering is the hot water issue has been resolved. We had a Burnham K2 combi installed end of December to replace old boiler and water heater. Heat works great. But the hot water is inconsistent and I haven't discovered a pattern. During showers the water cycles hot to cold/cool back to hot several times before steady hot. Really annoying. Today at a sink in laundry room close to boiler the water started hot then went cold and did not cycle back to hot. Other times it's fine and no shower cycling. A Burnham rep is supposed to come tomorrow. I haven't paid the balance yet because if they can't get us consistent hot water I want to have some recourse. Don't know if the unit is defective or if the system was sold to us overrated but underwhelming.

Laxcoach

I just had the K2 Combi installed as a replacement for my 30 year oil burner. I was told by the installer I'd get 'instant' heat. Couldn't imagine it would be any other way. But, as others noted, I have a 1 minute and 40 second purge plus 40 seconds to get to my sink (this part is normal). Totally unacceptable. Very much interested in solution ideas. Also, I have two phone numbers for Burnham and neither work.

Any help would be appreciated.

Sure wish I read this forum before I bought.....

Jamie Hall

When you really stop and think about it, a delay -- unless you have a hot water storage tank and recirculation -- is to be expected. Even when the "instant" hot water maker really is instant on -- like the electrical ones -- and located right at the fixture (which is common in Europe, or at least in Scotland -- it's often literally right in the shower with you!) there will be a slight delay. But if there is considerable piping, you have to get that cool water gone, and that does take time (your 40 seconds sounds quite reasonable for an average size structure, by the way). Then there is the delay for the unit itself to wake up and warm up -- which shouldn't be that much, but again a minute isn't out of line.

Cheer up. It's better than heating the kettle on the stove for the Saturday night bath...

Larry Weingarten

Hi, A trick that can work here is one or more electric point of use heaters placed under a sink or some place creative. They can be 120 volt and only need to be 3-4 times the volume of water in the pipe. This way you get quick hot water and not a lot of temperature drop before hot water starts feeding the tank.

Yours, Larry