Out with the old and in with the new.

[epic02]

Last week I replaced my 29 year old hot water storage tank with a new one. We did this with out having to close the laundry. Luckily I didn't close that day cause it got pretty busy while the crew was doing the work. Here are some pics.

[epic02]

The last picture.

[Adamski]

Kenny,

That's a big job. I removed a similiar tank from my place last spring but we took it directly outside through an 8' wide rollup door. My 2 new HTP 199,000 btu water heaters were installed in place of the old tank and 900,000 btu Weben/Jarco heater.

[coachelladoug]

Nice looking water heater.

Any of you have tankless systems installed? If yes, any downsides to it, instead of the regular water heaters?

I've seen some smaller mats (20-30 washers) that have had the tankless systems installed (usually 2 or 3 tankless units).

Douglas

[Howard]

Originally Posted by epic02

Last week I replaced my 29 year old hot water storage tank with a new one. We did this with out having to close the laundry. Luckily I didn't close that day cause it got pretty busy while the crew was doing the work. Here are some pics.

That is rule one of this business, if it is slow start a project that will impact customers --- they will flock in when you do that almost without fail.

[obb4bb42]

I was intrigued by Larry's reference to his newly installed HTP water heaters and was surprised that their Phoenix model uses PVC venting. Research reveals these to be very high efficiency (up to 96%) condensing water heaters requiring drainage of its water byproduct with much lower temperature in the venting. The absence of anode rods alleviates much of the need to wash out sediment. This means these micro solids would just flow through but then they would also do so with the anode free cold water. Could the be a problem for the valving in the washers they are serving? Does anyone have any experience with the stainless steel condensing water heaters? Are they easy to maintain and does the higher efficiency pay for their added cost?
Thank you, Jim

[Adamski]

Jim,

Yes, the HTP water heaters exhaust very little heat. When I hold my hand outside the buidling at the exhaust vent while the heater is running, I feel warm, moist air coming out. I'd guess the air temperature is no higher than 100 degrees F. The vent must slope toward the heater so that any moisture that collects on the sides of the PVC pipe drains down to the sump system that removes the condensate inside the building.

The HTP water heater appears to be easy to maintain although I have yet to have any problem except for an initial bug on start up. One heater had to be adjusted. Other than that, they've both been working perfectly for almost 1 year now. I've had no problems with my manual or electric water valves either.

I guesstimate that I'm saving about $100/month on my gas bill with these new heaters. At that rate, they pay for themselves (including installation) over a 10 year period. Had I bought a system that had the same efficiency as my old system (which started leaking and needed replacement); I could have spent half as much money but, after 10 years, it would have saved me $0 toward paying for the cost of the new system. However, the money saved by buying the cheaper, less efficient system could have been put in the bank and earned 1% interest per year or about $600 interest over the 10 year period. So, all things considered, I'm satisfied with the new HTP heaters and I'd buy them again given the same circumstances.

[MrMachine]

Originally Posted by Howard

That is rule one of this business, if it is slow start a project that will impact customers --- they will flock in when you do that almost without fail.

Exactly! It never fails. Works better than advertising.

Jim,

Good luck with it. Looks like a nice installation.

[DaveLevenson]

I have a Rheem-Ruud 120-gallon, 199,000-btu heater (also marketed under the Natco name) with a very similar, but slightly older, design. It has now been about three years. Like the HTP, mine has a stainless steel tank, no anode rod, and efficiency over 90%. It uses PVC venting with a concentric (or coaxial) design where the outer part of the vent is the make-up air intake while the inner part is the exhaust.

Initial start-up took several days due to a manufacturing defect. This was covered under warranty, but I had to live with cold water for several days. Since then, I have had to replace the main electronics board once (about $250), and the hot-surface ignitor twice (about $70). (I have also had to replace both of these components one more time, and also the combustion blower after the unit was immersed in water for a day or so due to an area-wide flood, but I don't blame that on the product!)

The efficiency gain showed up right away as a noticeable reduction in the Nat Gas bill. Even with the maintenance expenses described above, this unit will paying for itself in 9-10 years, and will probably last longer than that.