| Author |
Message |
    
JK
Citizen
Username: Jeffinmaplewood
Post Number: 17
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Friday, February 20, 2004 - 10:47 pm: |     |
it seems our hot water heater is not keeping up with our needs, we have a contract with PSE&G, I wonder how they are on replacements. Suggestions? |
jgberkeley
Supporter
Username: Jgberkeley
Post Number: 3470
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, February 20, 2004 - 10:57 pm: | |
They are simple to install, DIY and save a bundle.
Really, 4 hours at the most.
Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark; professionals built the Titanic. |
Richard O'Connor
Citizen
Username: Roconn
Post Number: 151
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, February 21, 2004 - 8:43 am: | |
JK, I am with JG ...
Do it yourself and SAVE BIGTIME
And if you really want to save, and aren't afraid of floor displays, the Sears Hardware at Essex Green has both Gas and Electric at heavy closeout discounts. (They also have new ones in boxes).
Private me if you want a cheap installer. 
Richard (ROC)
--Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark; professionals built the Titanic.--
--AIM: ROConn |
jgberkeley
Supporter
Username: Jgberkeley
Post Number: 3480
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, February 23, 2004 - 11:56 am: | |
Having just checked you hot water heater over, in my opinion, you have a very common problem. You may be just a tad bit undersized for your water usage volume, but that is not the problem.
Your input water temperature is very low, I’d say around 35 to 40 degrees and that is pulling down your overall tank temperature. Hold you hand on the cold water pipes that feed into the unit. Very cold.
Consider this. You have 40 gallons of hot water at 135 degrees. You draw off 10 gallons for a bath. 10 gallons of the 35 degree water enters the tank and mixes with the 135 degree water. I do not remember the math, but the overall 40 gallons will drop in temperature by a lot. Then use more water before the heater can recover and the problem continues.
I adjusted the temperature of your tank to heat up a little hotter, to about 145 degrees. This will help as the tank water will be hotter and thus will not cool as much.
You can also solve the problem with a larger tank which will give you a larger hot water mass. But, I have a 50 gallon tank and yesterday after 2 loads of hot water washing, the dishwasher cycle, my wife shower, then me, I got the cool water shower.
Another solution would be to install a pre-heater tank, (gas or electric) which will add to the water mass and will take some of the load off the very cold water that enters.
The question is, is it worth the investment and operational cost? Give it a month, tweak up the temperature setting a bit more if needed, manage your heavy hot water use just a little and let the spring warm up the supply water just a bit and it will all go away.
If it does not, then we can look to change things.
That is my opinion.
Later,
George
Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark; professionals built the Titanic. |
ashear
Citizen
Username: Ashear
Post Number: 1004
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 25, 2004 - 11:13 am: | |
One word of caution, especially if you have kids. According to the manual for my water heater 130 degree water produces 2 and 3 degree burns after 30 seconds of exposure. At 140 its 5 seconds and at 150 its 1.5 seconds. I've choosen less hot water for more safety because I have kids. If you don't its less of a concern. |
jgberkeley
Supporter
Username: Jgberkeley
Post Number: 3488
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 25, 2004 - 2:25 pm: | |
Asher,
I agree. I've seen the home. The children are 3 and under so for now we do not have that problem, and some of the fixtures look new and likely have the anti-scald device built in.
They are great devices and if you upgrade any bathroom I'd suggest looking into them.
Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark; professionals built the Titanic. |
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