Indirect tanks - mostly the same?

[Deleted User]

Check out the V website. Any number of posters can tell you their experiences.

Jim Franklin_2

Indirect DHW tanks - mostly the same?

Is there any appreciable difference between standalone (not mated to a boiler) stainless indirect tanks? I know some flow through the coil, others through the tank. I need a decent quality one for a renovation. I have a SuperStor in my house. It looks pretty and holds water. Is it much different than other brands or are most of them rebadged like washing machines?

thanks...
jim

[Deleted User]

Indirect tanks

Years ago we manufactured DHW storage tanks that heated the Brauchwasser (potable water) by means of an outer jacket containing the boiler water. We now manufacture all DHW tanks with a large bore internal coil. Both the heat exchanger coil and the tank vessel are manufactured in house. The design of the coil and the tank's exceptional finish contribute to the displacement of deposits and sediment and to the outstanding performance.

Additionally, we warrant the SS versions of the tanks for the lifetime of the original purchaser.

I would say that sets this tank apart from all others.

greg_28

First, size your needed 1st hour draw.
Then compare with warrantee and recovery rate (mated with your particular boiler's output) and brand/price.

Make sure installer uses manufacturers specified circ size. These things are a decent amount of head pressure and you need to move volume. I've seen a few 007 circs installed on indirects. Pity, they were way too small.

Enough

Fred,

What is the brand of tank you are describing?

Steve

Constantin

There are differences...

... but the question is whether you ought to care about them.

For example, the Phase III series from triangle-tube has a very large HX surface. That allows you to reheat the potable water in the tank very, very quickly or at a lower temperature than comparable other tanks. Thus, this tank is an ideal companion for condensing boilers. I believe that the WM Ultra tank is a private-label version of the Phase III indirect.

The VitoCell 300 tanks from Viessmann are available in horizontal and Vertical configurations. They offer large internal coils, an inspection port, and a lifetime warranty. They also offer a dual-coil model for solar or desuperator heating of the potable water. Plus, you can heat the horizontal version with steam, if you want to. A premium product that may not recover as quickly as a Phase III but which also offers other features.

The HTP SuperStor has a relatively small coil in the bottom but it is also sold at a very attractive price point. It's recovery rate may be somewhat slower than that of other boilers, but there are plenty of people who are perfectly happy with theirs. After all, any of these indirects will recover faster than a standard gas water heater.

There are many more indirects to choose from out there. Some contractors here have reported good luck with specific units (but not others) and vice versa in specific areas. Thus, it would be a good thing to understand which models have the best reputation in your area.

hr

How's your water?

Hard water is really tough on indirects with finned coil heat exchangers. I still favor the Weil or Triangle Tube tank in tank design fo great HX surface.

I also like the Ergomax design if you have enough boiler capacity to drive it. It acts as a nice buffer tank for non modulating boilers, also.

I like the looks of the new Bradford White steel enamaled tanks with a huge 1-1/4" steel, enamaled coil. Lots of smooth glass covered coil surface and not sensitive to chlorides or scale build up as some stainless indirects.

Tanks with cleanout holes are nice also. Crown and Burnham have these.

Regardless of the tank you chose, check water hardness and soften if required to get best service and performance from ANY indirect tank.

hot rod

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