Trying to figure out a way to warm up the water coming in off the street.

Yes, I have a 6" damper on my 8" hot air line that goes into the trunk. I can open it and get it up to 70 so in the winter, it wont be an issue. I will also be running a line outside to the southern side of the home into my old water tank. It will be stripped down and bare. Like a solar batch water heater. I know that sounds kind of "rednecky" but I live in a subdivision so it will have to look nice or the HOA will be all over me lol. Here is the plan listed in the link below......

 

This is correct. I don't need a new water heater but the one I have is #1 an electric #2 it is a dinosaur. The new Heat pump water heater operates annually for $165 vs $450 on my electric. To offset the colder basement temp, a batch water heater outside is what I am planning on doing like shown in the video listed above in my previous post. If I can get the water going into the new water heater to 90 degrees then the efficiency of the new heat pump water heater shouldn't be a problem.

 

I read this story last night. Thanks for sharing. His bottom line is what stood out to me. His basement is the same temp as mine.

In summary, we’re happy with our heat-pump water heater, despite the cold climate and the fact that we don’t have a waste heat source in our basement. I’m guessing that, for half the year, we’ll save at least 60%, compared with a standard electric water heater, while only 10%–20% in the cold months. Homeowners with a waste heat source in their basements will do better

 

I'm no expert, just a laborer's helper...
I think a tank makes for good storage but not so good system for collecting solar heat? Would it be better to circulate the water through a small tube(s) to pick up the heat then store in the tank? More surface area to collect heat and transfer to water? Of coarse, thats more complex and more money...Maybe we should know how the budget will affect the project...

 

You are right. I think the reason we don't see a lot of this is because folks just don't want to fool with it. My water off the street is coming in the house at 60. I am pretty sure that by using an outdoor tank in the summer, that incoming water would at least be 85 so that my water heater wont have to work as hard. Here in NC, its freakin HOT June-Sept and most of May and October is as well. The savings might be small but like I said before, this is kind of a hobby. I don't play golf but I do ride mtn bikes. When I'm not riding, I'm in the basement messing around. lol

 

I know I get plenty of radiant heat off my furnace to warm the basement, even without opening a vent...plenty enough to give an HPWH an easy job in the winter.

 

my Englander will run you slap out of the house. I could probably spray a 3" pipe off of the hot air pipe that feeds the trunk over towards the new water heater and it wouldn't hurt the upstairs heating at all lol.

 

What’s TPI? Lol

 

That's what I thought you meant...but TPI did have me scratchin muh head for another meaning for a bit...

 

Your first mistake is thinking an electric water heater is worth a crap. I have yet to find an electric water heater to meet the needs of the average home. Your first hour rating on an electric versus a gas is a huge difference. When I changed out my water heater a coupe years ago I was going to relocate my water heater and go with a power vent versus a gravity vent. After comparing the costs to go with the more expensive power vent and all the work involved it would have taken me a long time to make up the cost savings and I plumb for a living. IMHO if you just went to a gas water heater you would be much happier and save yourself a lot of time and money trying to do what your doing.

 

Understand your point. My water heater was here 22 years ago. I’ve been here 20.

And I’ll spend a few bucks on this before I go gas. I just don’t want a gas bill. Did that once at an old house. Didn’t like it. Good heat but didn’t like the gas company muscle. Seems as if they did what they wanted regardless of what you thought.

 

Can't say I ever remember our 50 gall. electric WH running out of hot water...maybe back when I still lived at home...but that was 6 of us on one 50 gallon electric heater back then too...

 

There’s 5 of us and it does fine but you can’t take a shower back to back. The 80 gal of the ao Smith is $1899 vs $1299. I don’t want to spring for that much more but it’s a thought.

 

the house I built that I recently sold had an 80 gal, endless hw even when the kids and grandkids were all there for the holidays. The house I am doing now I am torn between 50 or 80. I am also thinking a 50 for the bathroom with a small point of use under the kitchen for the sink and dishwasher. the bath and kitchen are on opposite ends of a ranch so lots of run time to get hw to the faucet.

 

I think I’ll suck it up and go 80. 3 teenagers always showering. Plus the fact that the cool basement is on my mind and the effeciency deal.

 

Just found this on Valley Rural Elec. Co-op's site.
Looks expensive, but it's quality for sure, and they say they sell then at cost and give a rebate. Maybe your elec. co. does something like this.
Water Heater Rebates and Sales | Valley Rural Electric Cooperative Inc.

 

But, you could run a recirculating pump for about $400 and have hot water at all places on demand-

 

I am considering this option now also