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New Indirect Water Tank

Hello. I am looking to replace my existing indirect water tank and am looking for some guidance/advice. I currently have a 40 gal Heat-flo indirect tank that is 13 years old. We just completed a bathroom remodel and noticed the shower doesn't maintain hot water very long. Can somebody recommend a good indirect unit? My house is an 1100 sq ft ranch - it is just my wife and I.

Thank you!

Comments

  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 17,131

    Before tossing the old one how do you know it is the indirect causing the problem?

    It could be a control issue between the boiler and the indirect

    It could be the circulator

    It could be the shower valve

    What if you replace it and still have the issue.?

    ethicalpaulLarry WeingartenSuperTech
  • ethicalpaul
    ethicalpaul Member Posts: 7,222

    My advice is retire the indirect and try a heat pump water heater.

    NJ Steam Homeowner.
    Free NJ and remote steam advice: https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/new-jersey-steam-help/
    See my sight glass boiler videos: https://bit.ly/3sZW1el

    GroundUpWaher
  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 24,332

    run it until it leaks, why not.

    Are you using a high flow shower head or body sprays? 40 gallons doesn't go far at 5- 15 or more gpm.

    What temperature is the tank set to? You might crank it up 10° to extend the drawdown.

    A good chance the coils are coated with line scale, dropping performance.

    How much and how often you use dhw would help decide if a hpwh will be a good fit. If you use a lot of dhw throughout the day a hpwh may not be good for you. And the location of the tank, size of the room is important.

    What size is the boiler? I like the way EK generates DHW with an external plate HX and a basic storage tank. Very high efficiency and the thermal purge adds to the benefits. If you want a large dump load of dhw get a plate HX and an 80 gallon electric tank.

    Now you have a dual fuel system with large dump, high recovery. Possibly less $$ than a new indirect.

    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
    GroundUp
  • tcassano87
    tcassano87 Member Posts: 53

    Cant go wrong with a Weil-McLain Aqua Plus

    GroundUp
  • Miata
    Miata Member Posts: 32

    Does this model use a dip tube? If so it may have broken apart.

  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 24,332

    do you have the manual for the tank? Some models are top feed, some are bottom. Their website has the info, probably for legacy models also.

    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
  • NEMatt
    NEMatt Member Posts: 82

    What are some options for a heater-element-less storage tank as a replacement for an EK? Mine is about 11 years old and I've been wondering what to buy when the time comes. Seems like their tank is just an electric tank without heaters.

  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 24,332

    about the least expensive insulated glass tank you can buy is an electric water heater, they manufacturer millions every year. You may find a buffer tank is more $$

    Price them out online.

    The buffer specific tanks will have larger ports generally

    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
    NEMatt
  • Larry Weingarten
    Larry Weingarten Member Posts: 3,699

    Hi, Another benefit to using an electric tank-type heater is you can wire it in for backup heating, should that ever be needed.

    Yours, Larry

  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 5,673

    what is the temperature setting?

    What’s the outlet temperature?

    Rais the storage temperature to 150 or 160 and reduce it down to 110 - 130*