water heater timers (was Re: Demand heater for SHW backup [RE-wrenches])

[Matt Tritt]

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This whole subject has caused me to re-evaluate my thinking on water 
heaters, but I guess I still come to the same conclusions, namely, the 
advantages of an on-demand heater marginally outweigh the disadvantages 
as long as you place a value on always having enough hot water to handle 
doing laundry, washing dishes, showers and baths for the family and 
house guests (though definitely not all at the same time). Another thing 
about on-demand heaters is that they free-up space, negate earthquake 
damage from an overturned tank and allow for better zone heating in 
large structures without recirc pumps. The potential for freeze damage 
is real (where I live), especially if the unit is located outside of the 
main shell of the house, but it reminds me of how many houses in Europe 
have the heater located right over the kitchen sink. ;-)

Matt

Todd Cory, Mt. Shasta Energy Services wrote:

>
> The only loss from a water heater is the heat that escapes through the
> insulation. The timer is supposed to be set so it shut the power off
> before your last use of the day. This way the tank is supposed to sit
> cool overnight, reducing the standby loss. The timer is then supposed
> to turn the element back on in the morning before you need hot water
> again so it is ready for your use. How many people have the timer set
> correctly so they are sure they use enough hot water so the tank sits
> cool overnight... and why the heck would you want to mess with all
> that technology when wrapping your tank with several additional layers
> of insulation will do more? If you super insulate the tank you will
> save that heat loss 24 hours a day and negate any minimal heat loss
> the timer might have reduced IF it is set correctly.
>
> Conclusion: Super insulating your water heater tank will not only
> totally negate any marginal savings a water heater timer might do, but
> it will save you that energy 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Water
> heater timers are a total, pointless waste and should not be installed.
>
> Todd
>
>
>
> Wallace Stahle wrote:
>
>> Todd wrote:
>> I am mostly commenting on the on grid folks that
>>  
>>
>>> erroneously think they are going to "save so much energy" by
>>>   
>>
>> ... or adding a time
>>  
>>
>>> clock (sigh) to their existing tank heater.
>>>   
>>
>>
>> Todd,
>> Could you elaborate a bit more on your statement?
>> I have a 50 gallon electric tank that came with the house that gets 
>> power
>> for 30 minutes 2x aday and has enough hot water for morning or evening
>> showers and not a lot more. It has gone cold with extended use, say 
>> 10-15
>> gallons.
>> So I'm not saving much energy?
>>
>> Wally Stahle
>>
>
>
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