Quote:
Originally Posted by Iexpedite
I'm not going to be any help to you here, but I have been pondering the water heater question myself. Mine is working fine, but it is a senior citizen in water heater years and I like to plan ahead. I turned it down to 120 degrees and left it there. We always run it dry and I fear I am wasting more energy than if the water was hotter and we only used half the tank. Do you have any insight on the subject?
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Yes, you are better off with the smallest water heater you can get away with in MOST circumstances.
Key being smallest in BTUs not necessarily tank size which you can make up for by insulating better. (aka bigger tanks have more surface area generally but less surface area per gallon)
Odd part is a larger tank may not deliver any more hot water for the first hour anyway, so the bigger tank may or may not help, it really depends on use.
I would recommend a better low flow shower head if that is what is running you out and changing habits a bit before getting a larger tank.
Another option is to keep your tanked water heater, keep the temperature low and add an small instant use one to the shower, make sure its the type that actually shuts off when not in use and keep it small as reasonable.
The cost of this "mod" though probably won't save money but may save energy.
Ah well, no good options in my mind, the cost is high and higher and efficiency depends mainly on how you use the tool.
Insulation (as long as you can remove and re-apply to the next heater lasts a lifetime) and is usually a good investment if you will have it for the long term, even if its only saving a few bucks a month.
Another take away is that if you use a LOT of hot water and can't avoid the use, higher end water heaters may actually be worthwhile, you could have to survey how much $$$ your water heater is using in a month (might be hard to do) then figure out what the difference in $$$ is per month on a 61% heater VRS a 81% EFF heater. Trouble with them is that they can break down and likely don't last any longer than a regular heater.
You may also consider a DIY heat exchanger (run the cold water input to the water heater through the drain pipe from the shower) this (properly done) can add 10 degrees onto the incoming water temperature which also reduces how much energy the water heater has to add.
This is my favorite mod from this site, but we have little room at my folks place to put in a grey water tank to heat the lines properly (also the water comes in the house in a rather inconvenient location)
My apt, obviously I can't mod. Sad part is the water from my water heater seems warm enough to shower with even set as low as it goes. (might need a different thermostat)
Ah well.
Good Luck
Ryan