Earthquake protection WAS: water heater timers (was Re: Demand heater for SHW ba

[Bill Loesch]

Hi folks,

When earthquake straps are required for tanks, I had always assumed that the
real issue was the tank falling and breaking the gas connection. The spilled
40, 50, or even 120 gallons of water would be a real inconvenience but small
potatoes compared to an open gas line in a closed living space.

Do I need to revise my thinking about what is being protected with the
earthquake straps?

Thanks for your help.

Bill Loesch
Solar 1 - Saint Louis Solar


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Matt Tritt" <solarone at charter.net>
To: <RE-wrenches at topica.com>
Sent: Friday, August 24, 2007 11:56 AM
Subject: Re: water heater timers (was Re: Demand heater for SHW backup
[RE-wrenches])


>
> 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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