What's the best Hot Water Option?...with Steam System

Nick_22

Hi,

We have an old (~25yr)Peerless One-pipe Steam system which generates Hot Water for our house, from the coil but it just can't keep up.

We're kind of strapped right now to go for a whole new steam system, with an indirect tank which we heard is the ideal set-up.

We're getting mixed opinions from everyone. Anyone have a strong opinion on our best option, in terms of energy efficiency as well as supplying us with enough hot water:

1. Aquabooster - taping into the current steam system.

2. Gas fired Hot Water Tank?

3. Tankless Gas Hot Water heater? Can this keep up with a family with 2 kids?

4. Oil fired Hot Water Tank?

Thank you in advance!
Nick

John@Reliable_10

In-direct gets my vote...............

and when you can afford to replace old boiler you would be able to "reuse" it on new system. I use one with 4 kids and never run out.

Brad White_9

Indirect. Hands Down.

What John Said...

Nick L. in Vt

tankless coil problem

has the problem with the coil been identified? no doubt it is not the optimal way of getting your domestic h/w. but if cost is a big concern, the coil being prooperly serviced would most likely been cheapest. save your dough for a more complete solution later.


They call me "Hot Pipe"

Robert O'Brien

Another vote for an Indirect

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Christian Egli_2

You asked for a strong opinion... Aha... Here goes...

I prefer, by far, a separate appliance for each separate need.

The reason being is that the operation parameters are not similar and what might be a good set up to make steam is wasteful just making water. If you heat with hot water, then dissimilar temperatures have to be dealt with. There is also a heating season while you need hot water year-round. There is the risk a perforation on the domestic water side could either poison your water or flood your home. But, yes, all these mild problems are easily solved with added complexity, except if your fuel is oil, then the separate appliance idea leads to having two burners to maintain, instead of one; that's a draw back to my choice.

Consider also that a properly built home heating system, if it encounters no accidents, can have a very long life. A domestic hot water system, by the nature of the corrosive and liming up fresh water, has a short life. This means either the hot water tank or the tankless unit or the coil or the indirect tank - whatever part is in contact with domestic water - will need planned replacement.

You'll have to determine which is the best cost option for you, but just thinking of when appliances fail, we can count on the domestic hot water part of your combined system to fail in the middle of a cold winter, possibly leaving you with no heat.

I think this separate approach is a no brainer with natural gas or propane. With oil, an electric hot water tank is a good solution providing electric rates are not wacky. With coal (or wood?), a coil and/or an indirect storage tank would be my choice.

Go to your kitchen, find the most useful gadget you have and ask yourself how many functions it performs? How about the appliance that slices cucumbers, chops oinions, peels potatoes, kneads dough, whips egg whites, grinds coffee, juices carrots, AND blends a margarita? How about that? Really? Wow!

I could have told you the potato peeler implement would be a serious disappointment, but nooo, the sales lady had pretty eyes.

Anyway, I don't want to be critical of the advantages of any one of those heating set-ups, they all have value. I just like both gas fired and electric hot water tanks and gas fired tankless units.