Apollo alternative?

Joe Brix

Both AO Smith has the promax SL. BradfordWhite has the Combi-core. I think both only have 6 yr warranty. High end: look at Triangle Tube with the inner stainless steel tank that holds the DHW. You're other option might be a combo wall hung boiler like BAXI Luna.

roadking321

Apollo alternative?

Does anybody besides State make a natural gas water heater that can accept 2 side loop connectors to accomodate space heating? My present unit is 50 gallon- 65,000 btu. I've just installed a heat pump and my needs for the hot water coil heat are now just to serve as auxiliary heat when heatpump can't put out enough heat on its own(about 30 degrees). Based on my calculations I'd need approximately 18,000 btu's/hr of water heater provided auxiliary heat to meet my needs during the coldest of weather vs. the 36,000 btu's previously needed to be provided by the Apollo system when it provided all the heating.

Also, is there such a thing as a gas water heater that separates the domestic hot water from the space heating?

Lastly, due to my concerns over mixing space heating and potable water would it make sense to just use a second smaller gas water heater for space heating and turn it off/drain it after the short heating season (South Carolina). Any idea on approximate size to provide 18,000 btu's/hr...circulator at heating coil runs at 4gpm when calling for heat. Thought I could keep space heating water heater at 140-150 degrees vs. the present need to keep it about 130 or so to prevent scalding. I know I'd lose some efficiency. If so could the vent be Y'd to my existing vent(vents through garage roof)

hr

I would

like to see the potable and heating water seperate. Combo units are out there as Joe mentioned.

Consider the high efficiency combo units like Triangle Tube, or Voyager.

Most of the high recovery (larger BTU input) water heaters have the additional side taps you mentioned. State, Bradford White, and others have the extra taps. You could use these tanks with a small HX for the heating.

For a small load like that I have used a Solar Wand, that drops into one of the top taps and builds your double walled HX in any water heater tank.

http://www.butlersunsolutions.com/

It is designed to be a solar collector HX, but work fine in reverse. A very affordable way to pull some BTU from a wh safely!

hot rod

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Weezbo

That looks unique ....

i would say Triangle tube also...however until Hot rod posted this solar wand deal i had never seen them...it looks relatively less time consuming to add into the equasion...

jeff miller_2

Apollo alternative

Try Bradford-White. Also plumbing distributors sell a "combo system" that competes with the Apollo. I can't remember the brand name of the water heater, but Janitrol is the name on the air handler. Check out plumb supply houses, such as Hajoca, etc.