Fuck those instant hot water heaters

Jim · 2006-03-26, 10:06 AM

A few months ago, I spent something like $800 on an Electric Instant Hot Water Heater that was rated to handle our entire house. After Having the overheat reset buttons pop no less than twice/week, I finally figured out that I had to both turn down the temperature and reduce the pressure for it to work. So, the water was not as hot as it should be and the pressure of the hot water was about half of the cold.

Something must have told me when I installed it to keep the perfectly good old fashioned 40 gallon gas watter heater because there it sat...right next to the new one. I finally broke down and gave up on the instant hot and hooked up the gas heater and while taking a shower, I felt like a new man.

With the Electric heater taking 3 60 amp breakers to run, I really don't think I was saving that much money anyway. From now on, if it ain't broke, I won't fix it

Surfn · 2006-03-26, 10:09 AM

The reduced stress may help to further alleviate your headaches too

Greenguy · 2006-03-26, 10:09 AM

We were gonna get one of those after seeing it down at CES (Hi Spud

) but we decided to go a different root & I'm glad we did. We're getting some system that reuses the heat form the baseboard heating system in the house to heat the water (and it runs by itself like a normal hot water tank when the heating system is off)

dareutwo · 2006-03-26, 10:15 AM

Jim -
Sounds like the infloor electric heat we tried here at the cabin when we remodeled. 2 weeks after we turned in on, it started blowing breakers. It's covered in 4 inches of concrete and carpeting. We simply ended up disconnecting the whole thing and installed baseboard electric around the lower level. With those, if 1 goes out, just switch it for 30 bucks.

Simon · 2006-03-26, 10:19 AM

GG - I've heard good things about those systems that use the baseboard heat.

Jim - Almost everyone down here had to replace their water heaters after Wilma's storm surge (along with most other major applicances). I've heard folks at the local bars and restaurants having major bitch sessions about having tried those new "instant" heaters and getting the same results you did.

MrYum · 2006-03-26, 10:31 AM

Thanks for the heads up Jim

I had it in my head to try one of those when my current w/h gives up. Sounds like I'll be staying with the ol tried and true method when the time comes.

juggernaut · 2006-03-27, 05:09 PM

Thanks jim. I looking at a house now that has electric heat and it had me concerned as I dont want a billion dolar heating bill. But the house also has a gas stove and dryer so I need to find out what it would cost to convert the house to gas heat. There is central AC so I'm hopping not to much of a headache. Then maybe I can have a house with my own dam yard.

Jim · 2006-03-28, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greenguy

We were gonna get one of those after seeing it down at CES (Hi Spud

) but we decided to go a different root & I'm glad we did. We're getting some system that reuses the heat form the baseboard heating system in the house to heat the water (and it runs by itself like a normal hot water tank when the heating system is off)

That is the exact system we had in the other house. It's really a big tank with a coil hooked up to your boiler, right? I miss that, a lot. You have the power of your boiler for domestic hot water so you never run out. The only strange thing is hearing the boiler fire up in the middle of summer. But, that is by far the most efficient way to heat domestic water. By the way, the boiler doesn't run much. We used oil...and in the winter, we used about 250 gallons every 2 weeks. We went the entire summer on 1 tank (250 Gallons) for our hot water.

Jim · 2006-03-28, 06:37 AM

Anyone that heats their home with hot water, should use the system Greenie is using. Any energy person will tell you it is the most effecient.

terry · 2006-03-28, 07:47 AM

I agree there.. thanks for the heads up. I know I'll have to change my hot water tank soon, so I better shop around and ask a lot of questions

SirMoby · 2006-03-28, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greenguy

We were gonna get one of those after seeing it down at CES (Hi Spud

) but we decided to go a different root & I'm glad we did. We're getting some system that reuses the heat form the baseboard heating system in the house to heat the water (and it runs by itself like a normal hot water tank when the heating system is off)

Haven't they been using those in Europe for decades? At least heating floors using hot water.

Simon · 2006-03-28, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SirMoby

Haven't they been using those in Europe for decades? At least heating floors using hot water.

Actually there's been a system somewhat like that in use for quite a while. One of the earliest used hot air, but the same basic idea.

http://www.romans-in-britain.org.uk/...al_heating.htm

My guess is even back then, there were posts on the wall of the baths about how one hypocaust system or another was better.

PR_Tom · 2006-03-28, 04:54 PM

I would like one of those on-demand gas fired jobbers though. And get one thats way over rated too to be on the safe side. There are days when the ONLY hot water used in this house is a 10 minute shower.. 23 hours and 50 minutes it's just sitting there heating up the tank for no reason.

Its like leaving your car running in the driveway all day for a short trip to the store

I'd get one rated for 2 appliances, and then I'd only ever use 1, just like now.

juggernaut · 2006-03-28, 10:46 PM

GG can you give more input to the system you are using? Name or link and $$. The houses I'm looking at here, alot of them are using electric water heaters. Dam eletric bill is high enough here.

2006-03-26, 10:06 AM	#1
Jim Banned Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Mohawk, New York Posts: 19,477	Fuck those instant hot water heaters A few months ago, I spent something like $800 on an Electric Instant Hot Water Heater that was rated to handle our entire house. After Having the overheat reset buttons pop no less than twice/week, I finally figured out that I had to both turn down the temperature and reduce the pressure for it to work. So, the water was not as hot as it should be and the pressure of the hot water was about half of the cold. Something must have told me when I installed it to keep the perfectly good old fashioned 40 gallon gas watter heater because there it sat...right next to the new one. I finally broke down and gave up on the instant hot and hooked up the gas heater and while taking a shower, I felt like a new man. With the Electric heater taking 3 60 amp breakers to run, I really don't think I was saving that much money anyway. From now on, if it ain't broke, I won't fix it

2006-03-26, 10:09 AM	#2
Surfn If you don’t take a chance the Angels won’t dance Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Earth on occasion Posts: 8,812	The reduced stress may help to further alleviate your headaches too __________________ Surfn's Links Are you a partner?

2006-03-26, 10:09 AM	#3
Greenguy The Original Greenguy (Est'd 1996) & AVN HOF Member - I Crop Pics For Thumbs In My Sleep Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Blasdell, NY (shithole suburb south of Buffalo) Posts: 41,929	We were gonna get one of those after seeing it down at CES (Hi Spud ) but we decided to go a different root & I'm glad we did. We're getting some system that reuses the heat form the baseboard heating system in the house to heat the water (and it runs by itself like a normal hot water tank when the heating system is off) __________________ Promote POV Porn Cash By Building & Submitting Galleries to the Porn Luv Network

2006-03-26, 10:15 AM	#4
dareutwo You can't disprove anything with evidence that doesn't exist Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: NW Minnesota - pop 865 +/- 1 Posts: 2,038	Jim - Sounds like the infloor electric heat we tried here at the cabin when we remodeled. 2 weeks after we turned in on, it started blowing breakers. It's covered in 4 inches of concrete and carpeting. We simply ended up disconnecting the whole thing and installed baseboard electric around the lower level. With those, if 1 goes out, just switch it for 30 bucks. __________________ This is me Mark's-Links

2006-03-26, 10:19 AM	#5
Simon That which does not kill us, will try, try again. Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Conch Republic Posts: 5,150	GG - I've heard good things about those systems that use the baseboard heat. Jim - Almost everyone down here had to replace their water heaters after Wilma's storm surge (along with most other major applicances). I've heard folks at the local bars and restaurants having major bitch sessions about having tried those new "instant" heaters and getting the same results you did. __________________ "If you're happy and you know it, think again." -- Guru Pitka

2006-03-26, 10:31 AM	#6
MrYum Arghhhh...submit yer sites ya ruddy swabs! Join Date: May 2004 Location: Sunny Florida! Posts: 5,108	Thanks for the heads up Jim I had it in my head to try one of those when my current w/h gives up. Sounds like I'll be staying with the ol tried and true method when the time comes. __________________ Porno Flixxx Submissions SOTI Site Submissions Free Porn Resource Submissions

2006-03-27, 05:09 PM	#7
juggernaut Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Central Jersey! If I was rich and powerful I would dress as my avatar does. Posts: 1,448	Thanks jim. I looking at a house now that has electric heat and it had me concerned as I dont want a billion dolar heating bill. But the house also has a gas stove and dryer so I need to find out what it would cost to convert the house to gas heat. There is central AC so I'm hopping not to much of a headache. Then maybe I can have a house with my own dam yard.

2006-03-28, 06:37 AM	#9
Jim Banned Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Mohawk, New York Posts: 19,477	Anyone that heats their home with hot water, should use the system Greenie is using. Any energy person will tell you it is the most effecient.

2006-03-28, 07:47 AM	#10
terry You can now put whatever you want in this space :) Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Montreal Posts: 5,883	I agree there.. thanks for the heads up. I know I'll have to change my hot water tank soon, so I better shop around and ask a lot of questions __________________ Stop That 9 To 5 Go Green Grocery Store

2006-03-28, 04:54 PM	#13
PR_Tom Nobody gets into heaven without a glowstick Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 423	I would like one of those on-demand gas fired jobbers though. And get one thats way over rated too to be on the safe side. There are days when the ONLY hot water used in this house is a 10 minute shower.. 23 hours and 50 minutes it's just sitting there heating up the tank for no reason. Its like leaving your car running in the driveway all day for a short trip to the store I'd get one rated for 2 appliances, and then I'd only ever use 1, just like now. __________________ PimpRoll

2006-03-28, 10:46 PM	#14
juggernaut Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Central Jersey! If I was rich and powerful I would dress as my avatar does. Posts: 1,448	GG can you give more input to the system you are using? Name or link and $$. The houses I'm looking at here, alot of them are using electric water heaters. Dam eletric bill is high enough here.