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Hot water

giles

giles

Cull buck specialist
Supporting Member
44,796
228
The real Amish country
A must for a household and I currently don’t have any unless it comes off the stove.

Last Monday I took a cold shower and didn’t think much of it as the dishwasher and washer were running. All 3 kids had taken baths as well. The next day I got a text from my wife saying we had no hot water. Blah blah blah, yatti yatta yatta...we were leaving to come up north to my parents house for turkey so I just decided I was going to enjoy the time with family and deal with it later. Later is here...

Currently have a whirlpool 80 gallon tank with two new elements and T-stats. Household is 5 that receive mail, but more like 7 with guest always around. 3 bath. The only time we’ve ever run out of hot water is when it breaks down (couple of times now). My questions here are about On Demand systems. They’re comparable in price to the 80 gallon tanks...but I don’t know anything about them. Efficiency and longevity? Anyone have one or looked into them?
 
C

Clay Showalter

Southern member northern landowner
6,446
145
Guilford County
To stop us from running out of hot water I turn the thermostat as high as it will go, we can get 5 showers in the morning. But be aware the water will scald you if you are not careful
 
Quantum673

Quantum673

Black Hat Cajun
Supporting Member
5,926
181
In the Neighborhood
I use on demand in Tennessee. I also put one in my house here but it didn't work due to my water pressure isn't strong enough. Dumb asses that put well in ran 3/4" line over 150' so we have pressure issues. I sold it to another local family. They love it. They have 4 in their house with one being under 3 years old so lots of laundry and dishes.

No info on longevity as they have only been running it for about 2 years now.
 
B

BCamp

Junior Member
66
19
Dayton
I've had only about 4 and 1\2 years with no problems. Household of 5 with 3 ages 5 and under. The only times it had a little trouble is if we are running dishwasher, laundry with hot water and 2 showers running.
 
Hoytmania

Hoytmania

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
11,519
167
Gods Country
On demand water heater is great if you have gas. Not so much if all you have access to is electric. Your best bet may be to pair two 50 gallons together
 
M

MK111

"Happy Hunting Grounds in the Sky"
Supporting Member
6,551
66
SW Ohio
Hoytmania said:
On demand water heater is great if you have gas. Not so much if all you have access to is electric. Your best bet may be to pair two 50 gallons together
Click to expand...

Or retrain everyone on good short showers.
Years ago my BIL stayed with us couple months and took 45 minute showers. He had the nerve to complain he ran out of hot water. I got pissed and unloaded on him with 'any time spent in the shower after 5 minutes has to be immoral'. Should have seen the dumb look on his face but his showers did get shorter. Not sure if it was my comment or he just ran out of hot water.
 
Hoytmania

Hoytmania

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
11,519
167
Gods Country
giles said:
Today I have hot water...this is something I need to address though. The dual tanks sounds like a really good option.
Click to expand...
There is two options you have. You can plumb them in so that you would basically have 1-100 gallon tank, or Daisy chain the two of them together.
 
5Cent

5Cent

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
12,337
212
North Central Ohio
I am not a fan of the on demand water heaters. Most of the time they are undersized and when sized correctly have a ROI that puts you too close to their end of life.

No beating around the bush, hot water tanks suck. Big, expensive and ure paying to heat all the water all the time. It’s a double edged sword. I will 2nd Steve’s recommendation but say go daisy chain route.
 
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