Instantaneous Dom. Water Heater Experience?

Chuck_7

Any pratical experience with instantaneous (on demand?) gas fired water heaters for domestic (vs. tank)? Advantages or disadvantages?

Randy Schuyler

on-demand water heaters

I suggest you look at
http://www.askthebuilder.com/451_Tankless_Water_Heaters_-_Some_Surprising_Facts.shtml

It was a thorough treatment of the subject.

Chuck_7

Thanks. That website could prove usefull for some general information on other topics.
I already understand how they work. I am interested in any first hand information.

hr

Love em or hate em

I have some customers that have 18- 20 year old Paloma and Valiants. They understand, and are comfortable adjusting their dhw water use to the "real life" output.

Read the output graphs carefully, paying attention to the temperature rise. As you know incoming water temperatures in some areas can get mighty cold in winter. 38° F was common in mountain areas of the west where I worked. Some winters if fell below 32° F

There are some big sizes available for commercial applications these days. Finding one for your residence should not be a problem.

Heat exchanger flushing ocassionally, and that modulating gas valve mechanism need attention. They can stick and the gaskets harden after years.

It all depends how much water flows through them and how hard, as far a scaling and maintenance issues.

I like to see them plumbed with a couple ball valve ports to easily run a descale cleaner through them without un doing any piping. Watts makes a nice valve for this with a ball valve side port with a garden hose connection.

hot rod



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Dave Yates (PAH)

pretty good, but.......

several flaws exist, not the least of which is the stated threshold for human pain where hot water is concerned, which is 106 F, not 116 to 128! Try getting in a hot tub where the temp is 103 or 104 & you'll very quickly understand.

The truth will be revealed at Oil Heat Cares & ISH-NA(G).

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