[RE-wrenches] On Demand Heaters for SDHW

[Bill Loesch]

Gentlemen:

If you own a candy store, you need to develop the discipline not to eat every meal at the candy store. 

I have had clients voice the same issues about their teens. One effective solution is to "talk to their wallet/purse". Given the opportunity to assist with the utility bill and continue their hot water(logged) ways, by parting with their own money, usually relegates the one hour shower to things of the past.

My compliments, Todd. I have read some gentleman's comments that there even exist sausage link style anode rods for those applications where ceiling height does not permit reinstallation of an OEM style rod. Annual flushing of the tank can also assist with tank longevity. The question is how many people know and then do these things. 

My own favorite "trick" for the tank style heater is to use the circuit breaker or pilot knob to "convert" the storage water heater to a batch water heater. Unfortunately requires some miniscule effort and advance planning, not items on the American Consumer wish list.

Bill Loesch
Solar 1 - Saint Louis Solar

----- Original Message ----- 
  From: SOLARPRO at aol.com 
  To: re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org 
  Sent: Friday, September 17, 2010 2:59 PM
  Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] On Demand Heaters for SDHW


  In our area of so cal, gas water heaters with SWH last as long as fifteen years no problem, and 20+ years is not uncommon - w/o anode rode redo.  But the ODWHs with which I am familiar usually need de-liming (service call) about every five years.  I do not have much data with ODWH with solar back-up, yet.  The larger the family in both cases, the faster the failure.
  ODWH manus seem to be claiming that the savings of standby heat loss is 15% minimum, but if your heat loss is from standing solar heated water (which entered the tank when somebody last used the hot water) and you have set the outlep temp of the solar 15% higher than that of the old fashioned water heater,  your heat loss is from solar heated water.
  The irony about _endless_ hot water is this - most of the people who have installed an instantaneous heater that is unassisted by solar will actually have higher gas bills, specially if there are any teenagers in the house.

  Patrick A. Redgate
  AMECO Solar, Inc.
  Serving Solar California
  Since 1974
  7623 Somerset, Blvd.
  Paramount, CA 90723
  562-633-4400
  www.solarexpert.com
  www.amecosolar.com


  In a message dated 9/17/2010 9:36:59 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time, toddcory at finestplanet.com writes:
    "repairable unit - you don't have to trash it every seven years (reported
    national average)"

    My tank is 20 years old now. I change the anode every 3 years.

    Todd





    Sent from Finest Planet WebMail.


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