Hot Water Tank Efficiency

[Raspy]

For those contemplating the condessing type WHs and furnaces; remember the condensate is highly corrosive (acidic), eats just about anything including concrete.

Ron

No need to exaggerate the problem. In the real world it only means you install a neutralizer on the condensate line if needed. None needed for ABS piping, or even iron piping. Very simple section of 2" X 14" PVC pipe full of granite pebbles. Then you can send condensate out through copper piping if you wish. The best plan is to send it out to a garden area or dirt area through PVC or PEX. I've done it for as long as there has been condensing systems. No problems.

If your heater is installed below grade, a simple condensate pump is available to lift it to the ground level. Very simple setup.

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

For those contemplating the condessing type WHs and furnaces; remember the condensate is highly corrosive (acidic), eats just about anything including concrete.

Ron

What makes the condensate acidic?

 

[dadster4]

" It can work out. Myself, I listen to Dave Ramsey. He did a study. 100% of foreclosed homes had a mortgage."
Sorry...just had to comment...if the property did not have a mortgage, it cannot be foreclosed on, because they either own it or rent...some study :laughing:

Weren't we talking water heaters? I am replacing mine this week. Taking out a 40 gal. and putting in a 30, which had to be ordered because nobody stocks 30's. Planning for the future, 99.9% of the time it's just my wife and I, so I went with the small tank with quick recovery which will lessen standby losses, and electric is cheap here so the heat pump design isn't worth the extra expense. I am considering future solar panels to power one of the two heating elements, which would make it, and any replacement, more efficient.

 

[dadster4]

What makes the condensate acidic?

A byproduct of combustion is nitric acid, which is corrosive, but not as bad as Seabee makes it sound. I wouldn't drain to a septic system, but most municipal sewer systems allow it. Condensate from a heat pump water heater is just water...I wouldn't drink it though.

 

[Looking4new]

I wouldn't drain to a septic system, but most municipal sewer systems allow it. Condensate from a heat pump water heater is just water...I wouldn't drink it though.

Mine gets dumped into the sump hole and that gets pumped out through PVC pipe to the ground and seeps away. The sump hole also keeps my basement dry and takes the back wash from my water softener as well. I am in the boonies and no municipal anything except road and that is gravel.

 

[Zerk]

" It can work out. Myself, I listen to Dave Ramsey. He did a study. 100% of foreclosed homes had a mortgage."
Sorry...just had to comment...if the property did not have a mortgage, it cannot be foreclosed on, because they either own it or rent...some study :laughing:

You missed the point.
We were talking 10 vs 30 mortgages which has nothing to really do with this, other then money.

Weren't we talking water heaters? I am replacing mine this week. Taking out a 40 gal. and putting in a 30, which had to be ordered because nobody stocks 30's. Planning for the future, 99.9% of the time it's just my wife and I, so I went with the small tank with quick recovery which will lessen standby losses, and electric is cheap here so the heat pump design isn't worth the extra expense. I am considering future solar panels to power one of the two heating elements, which would make it, and any replacement, more efficient.

I'd still go big. Didnt you wonder why they had to special order it? Did you think you were just a genius ahead of your time?

I don't think it will really matter. But it could hurt resale in a hot market where people could choose.

I just look a good hot shower myself. I am going to put a 30 in at my cabin, since room is limited and will be quicker to drain.

When the water is just sitting there, doesn't take alot to keep it hot. They are insulated decent. In fact a new law came out a couple years ago, forcing you to buy buy ones with more insulation. Which really sucks for tight spaces. But government decided.

 

[Zerk]

You can get away with small tank, by turning thermostat up. Not sure which is more efficent. Heating more water, or less water hotter.

 

[CADplans]

Here is the reason I will not invest in a heat pump water heater,,,

This little girl thinks the scrapped water heater is a "robot"

Heat pump water heaters have not existed long enough yet that ANY should need replaced.

 

[techman]

One consideration before buying, HW heaters generally fail by starting to leak. A life of 5-10 years, with an average of 8 years is typical. Hybrids will also corrode and start leaking, and the same life should be expected. If your payback is more than 5-8 years, it is not a smart investment. Also as mentioned, the BTUs you put into the water comes from somewhere. In southern states, where HW heaters are put in unconditioned spaces, along with a warm climate makes more sense than other areas. If you put it in a basement which is not conditioned, you will be chilling (air conditioning) that space. The colder it gets, the less efficient it will be. If it is a living space, you will not only be chilling the conditioned space, but during heating season you will be paying for the heat which is used bu the hybrid HW heater.

paul

 

[buckeyefarmer]

My heat pump water heater has failed twice, evaporator coil leaked, was replaced under warranty. Has failed again, I now just use the normal electric coils.