Adding a second water heater

4570Man · Feb 24, 2016

Is gas available? In my experience gas has a faster recovery time. I recommend not turning up the heat. I have been "scalded" a few times at a relatives house whose is set a lot hotter than mine.

Johnkn · Feb 24, 2016

If it were me and assuming your current tank is somewhat old I'd upgrade to a single 80 gallon tank. I've not ever run out of hot water even when my daughters were young and lived at home. An upside is that the newer tank would be more efficient than an older tank, take up about the same footprint, and take your existing wiring. Just think of it as an early house upgrade. You may be able to sell your current heater on Craigslist or something if it's in good shape and recoup a few $. Good luck.

Tractor Seabee · Feb 25, 2016

hawkeye08 said:
Perhaps turn up the temp some, hotter water would allow them to mix more cold and get the same shower but use less hot?? Sometimes the temp is not high enough, I forget the max recommended, but years ago, they made us turn them all down to avoid scalding. If you have temp compensating valve with anti scald, why couldn't you have the hot water heater up a little bit to help with your issue? Just a thought, haven't spent much time on it, have a under 2 grand daughter in the house so I am not turning mine up...

Anti-Scald is a code requirement. Maximum 110 degrees F. Cheap shower valves do not have temp compensation. Shower and sink valves are available you can preset the mixed temp. They make tempering valves for under the sinks. To kill bacteria the tank needs to be at 140-150 degrees F minimum. Plenty of info on the internet on this subject. New houses now should have all this if subject to permit and inspection. DIY and old houses lean the other direction.

Ron

David Wayne · Feb 25, 2016

My 80 gal. sprung a leak after 7 years, still under warranty. But since new gov. regulations went into effect in April 2015 they cant comply and stopped making it. I got a full refund, but the only 80 I could find was a Marathon or a hybrid. Both $$$$$, so I put in a 50 in series with a 30.
And yes I ran a second service from electric panel. I figure if heater #2 is just "loafing" as you put it, its not costing me anything- untill I need it.

Handloader109 · Feb 25, 2016

I'd check the temp also, bump up a bit. Make sure that your alarm is earliest and get yours done first. Wife second if she wants to get hot shower. Kids can complain........ First up is first come

RalphVa · Feb 25, 2016

DO NOT turn up the heat. Keep it at 120 F for safety.

This house came with 2 hot water heaters. Think one was 60 and one 50, in series. I had them repiped to run either singly or in series with a bunch of quick turn ball valves. The 2nd one can run off the generator. Had to replace the 2 since buying 15 1/2 years ago. Both are insulated outside as well. One still has a defunct heat pump on it that failed on warranty and then failed again a little over the warranty. Put coils back in and running with coils now. I do not recommend the added heat pump. A neighbor has one that still works.

Ralph

dadster4 · Feb 25, 2016

If you add another water heater they should be piped in parallel, NOT in series, and an independent breaker and wire run to each of them.
I myself would upgrade to a 75 gallon heater with a faster recovery rate than the average heater. You may want a mixing valve installed with the new heater, this would allow you to raise the water temperature to 140-150 degrees, but the water temp after the valve would be set to 110-120 degrees. In effect you would have the capacity of about 125 gallons of hot water available.

LittleBill21 · Feb 25, 2016

when i redid my plumbing i put a 50/40 in series. i only add my 50 when i run my tub, and use my 40 primarily and shutdown my 50 till i need it. works flawless

hawkeye08 · Feb 25, 2016

Interesting the folks that say do not turn up the temp, without knowing what it is now. Maybe it is only 105 and he can turn it up to 110 and gain some without getting it too hot.

Gary Fowler · Feb 25, 2016

hawkeye08 said:
Interesting the folks that say do not turn up the temp, without knowing what it is now. Maybe it is only 105 and he can turn it up to 110 and gain some without getting it too hot.

Anti-scald valves on faucets have nothing to do with hot water heater setting. I set mine on 140F so I don't use so much HOT water when bathing. Just adjust the shower valve till it is comfortable mix. I don't have anyone using my showers that aren't capable of adjusting the valve as needed. 105-110F water is barely lukewarm and of no use in providing hot water for a nice soothing bath. I think folks are confusing anti-scald shower valve requirements with hot water temps.
I suppose if you have an old house without modern valves and have less than 6 year old kids, then setting the hot water temps low would be practical but not so much with us old farts.