I had these at my previous home. I mentioned this last year on a thread and it didn't seem there was a lot of love for the idea, though I really appreciated them at my old home. This home has a small water heater, new by the way, I'd like to add another. First warms water and second heats the water. I'd like to know your thoughts. I am not ready to invest in and "on demand" one yet. Thanks
PS, the water heater is in a small adjacent room to the old bathroom that is scheduled to be gutted this summer. Knocking down the wall between the two, space is not an issue.
So the first one is a pre-heater to bring the incoming water up in temp before it is heated in the second one for use?
Waddle, does one heater feed to another before going into the house? Or are they both set at hot water and feed simultaneously?
They feed the same. Basically we have 100 gallons of hot water. In the last picture we added a recirculating pump set on a timer. Instant hot water to shower and sinks.
Also go to a plumbing supply house. Not HD or Lowes. Most will help out or can send you to a good honest plumber. I was lucky mine plumber is a personal friend still drove 2 hrs to install. Paid for parts,labor,food and lodging. Worth every dollar we spent. Still was cheaper then on demand.
I remodeled 12 years ago and added a second water heater but have them heat separate zones. I can shower while washing dishes or cloths and only lose some pressure in the shower.
This seems like a very viable option after doing some research. I would plumb them parallel like WaddleRemodel did, that way if any problems arise you just turn a couple valves and isolate the problem heater. That being said I didn't think you can share a flue. Or does this not apply to water heaters?
Didn't have problem with building inspector on flue pipe. Don't know in other states. Would have to check with local inspectors.
I have a valve "halfway" between tanks. If one went down I could open it to connect system. My tanks are electric, no idea about shared flue.
why?? one 80 gal heater and be done. less floor space taken up, still have to heat the same volume. I see no advantage.
Hmmm, interesting, I haven't thought about a second tank. I'm having an issue now, after my wife and daughter take their ridiculously long and HOT shower, I'm left with lukewarm to cold water. I've thought about relocating the tank to be closer to my bathroom anyway, maybe I'll just install a second tank on a different line. One can take care of the girls' bathroom and the kitchen, and I can put a smaller one in for my bathroom and the laundry room. It probably makes more sense though just to install a larger water heater, it's just hard to get rid of a perfectly good one.
I found it pretty simple to put in an electric one. Biggest deal was hiring electrician to run 220 to it.
