HWG9600 vs. Munchkin VWH

Home Depot Employee

Neither one but especially not the Laars (old design/old problems)
Go with a good mod con and indirect for your least concerns

Mark_79

Munchkin VWH or Laars 9600HWG

I am considering these 2 boilers for a laundromats hot water needs. Which do you like and why?

http://www.laars.com/documents/heatsystems/2112B SV.pdf

http://htproducts.com/literature/lp-143.pdf

Any comments would be appreciated.
thanks

Ken_40

I'd opt for...

The Munchie and an indirect without a tube style HX.

The abuse these apps. see makes me always opt for a Weil McLain 'Plus' series s.s indirect (no coils inside). The Triangle Tube version of the same basic unit may also be a consideration.

Admittedly, I am not familiar with THAT model Lochinvar boiler, but they are low-price "leaders" in many regards, but for obvious reason IMO (:-o(

I believe the Munchkin to be among the very best bang for the buck boilers currently available.

I have yet to see an "all-in-one" boiler/hot water maker survive more than five years in a decent water area. Hard water? Two years tops!

By removing the boiler from having to endure chlorides, flourine, scale, oxides and calcium carbonate "issues," the indirect becomes the buffer, and rather nicely I might add - over a far longer time-frame than a single unit water heater.

If large scale hot water making is the design, like a hospital, school or huge apartment, the Aerco unit would be my only choice...

Guy_6

VWH

The VWH model does NOT necessitate the use of an indirect- it simply pipes into an empty vessel tank (potentially an existing one). If water quality is that questionable, a standard Munchkin with a Super Stor might be an efficient out.

Mark_79

"Neither one but especially not the Laars (old design/old problems) Go with a good mod con and indirect for your least concerns "

What concerns do you have with the Munchkin VWH? I have a friend with 2 that are running fine for a year now.

bordy

Anyone else have a opinion? I need to decide soon.

Ken_40

The main concern...

with ANY coil type water heating HX is the "contents" of the water!

Between the chlorides, flouride, calcium carbontae and shear volume used in these applications, NO COIL ON EARTH will last long in the environment. How long is long?

With very soft water with minimal "other stuff" present in the water, we see a life expectency of 3-5 years before the HX leaks, erodes, or becomes scaled up. If a softenor is added, we could double the life expectancy, but the cost of same, maintence of brine and longevity of the softenor is also an issue.

The indirect without coils (just a tank within a tank) seem impervious to all but the hardest water and even then, will usually make ten years without issue. With a softenor, (or medium to very soft water naturally ocuring) and after 20 years, we have never seen a laundry d/h/w HX go bad!

pH, hardness and TDS are key in the equation.

If you plan on getting out in well under five years, go cheap. If this is an income producer for the foreseeable future, the Munckin and an oversized W/M Plus would be my first and only choice. The size of which, must be carefully calculated. In this application, one cannot have too much storage IMO!

Clock timers are also key.

I agree with the other post. The Lochinvar is a price leader. If under 2-3 yrs. is your time line, save the $$ and go with the Lochinvar.