replacing my indirect hot water heater. do I go electric?

dmal118

I have a 22 year old crown boiler indirect water heater that I have been advised to replace sooner rather then later. I'm currently looking at options. Do I simply replace with another indirect unit or should I be switching to an electric unit? I've been told either or so was curious for some other opinions. I have a 40 gallon unit, single family home with three people. thanks in advance.

ethicalpaul

With that small of a unit I would 100% go electric.

Resistance electric, even though it's expensive on a per-btu basis, is really not very much money on an annual basis for a small family's hot water needs. It's something around $500 per year. The Rheem Marathon (composite tank/no rust) is good if you are planning to live in the house for a long time and/or don't like water heaters to rot out in 7 years.

If you want to try something a little more modern and maybe less wasteful, I can personally recommend a heat pump water heater. There are incentives often available from the utility and/or your state, so look into that. I got those even on my self-installed Rheem that I got from Home Depot.

But you will love being able to turn off your boiler in the summer if you are anything like me.

For some reason, contractors really love indirects, but as a homeowner, I can't for the life of me understand why someone would agree to have one today.

flat_twin

What kind of boiler powers your current indirect? I could see going to heat pump WH if you have steam heat or maybe fuel oil fired hot water system. If it's a modcon I'd stick with the indirect, it's quick to recover and efficient. Around here you have to pay the base monthly for NG anyway so might as well use a few 7 ccf for domestic hot water in the summer months. Good idea to check on incentives from your electric provider. We just got an email about that very thing from First Energy.

EBEBRATT-Ed

What is wrong with the current indirect? if it's running ok I wouldn't replace it until it leaks.....unless you have a finished basement. Will your electric service handle an electric water heater. They draw about 20 amps at 240 volt.

dmal118

nothing is wrong with current unit but it's old and I was try to be preemptive. Am I better off waiting till it actually leaks? Makes me nervous

pecmsg

Another indirect or Heat Pump water heater.

With LI electric rates i wouldn't go straight electric.

ethicalpaul

You might get a warning, you might get a catastrophic failure.

I think it’s better to get the one you want by the installer you want with the $$ incentives you want (in the case of a heat pump water heater) at a price you got from a quote…

rather than an emergency install from whoever is available, of whatever unit they can find, at an emergency install price

WMno57

9.6 cents per kWh for me. In addition, I get a $5 monthly credit for having an electric WH.