Source of heat for hotwater

[bob saunders]

Those of you that have hotwater-do you mainly have electric or propane? What works out cheaper.

[Skippy1]

Hi Bob

Hot water well it does kind of depend on how much and how hot.
The cheapest if you take out the initial expenses has to be solar. A small solar panel and an electric heater works well for small mainly domestic uses and the outlay can be recovered in less than a year making years two three and four very attractive.

Propane is cheap compared to electric but again you have to recover the initial outlay. Can be done also within a year. Becareful about installation of propane heaters the exhaust fumes are toxic and can be deadly if not for you maybe your neighbours get an expert check it out for you ...warning the cheap off the street or some of the stores "we can fit for you" guys are not all what they may claim. Remember to ensure the exhaust gases do not return into the house via a window or other entry point. These gases need space and time to dilute in the atmosphere general rule of thumb is at least 10 feet from anyone who can breath the fumes. Carbon Dioxide is a well seasoned killer especially of sleeping children.

Maybe thats put you off....what to go down the electric route. choose a well insulated storage tank and if possible made of copper. no more than 10KW heater element 220v if possible but you can get 110v just they use more current.
Get a plumber to show you the best place to put it so that you dont waste heat piping it all around the house. Some people especially in condos like to use a pump to boost shower pressures. If you have a mixing valve on your sink or shower you can get a problem where the cold water pressure is greater than the hot water and this will result in the cold water entering the hot tank...you will loose all your hot water into your main cold water storage tank.

If you want more detailed information you shpould contact a good engineer or speak to a good ferreteria.

hope that helps

Skippy

[FireGuy]

Skippy, I think you mean Carbon Monoxide...

It's way more toxic than Carbon Dioxide.

Gregg

[bob saunders]

I'm pretty conversant with the different methods for heating water, and even though I've had plenty of showers with the electric shower head, electricity and water don't mix and I'm a little leery of them. We are planing our move to Jarabacoa sometime in 2009. We already have property but not the house built yet. We have several reliable contractors that are well know to my wife, having built for her in the past. I currently have natural gas heat, which in Ontario is cheaper than electrical-faster re-supply also. Just trying to find out which is more common and most economical. My creaky body with multiple sports injuries and operations, osteoarthritis in both shoulders demands hot showers to get me moving in the morning.

[adrianb]

I have a small electric tank which takes ages to heat up and runs out of water quickly. I currently use an overhead electric showerhead which is 110V (apparently the 220V ones aren't safe). The 220V showerhead I used to have was a good hot shower. The 110V showerhead sucks because the water isn't hot. And I don't like the electricity/water combination even though I think it is generally safe.

I am shortly going to switch to a gas water heater because I want an unlimited supply of REAL hot water. I don't know what kind of gas it is, I assume the gas similar to from the stove. I didn't know about the carbon monoxide issue and hope to find a solution. The posts above are very helpful, thanks.

[bob saunders]

Inline propane hot water seems to be the way to GO- ANYONE GOT ONE INSTALLED?
Bosch tankless water heating systems - Astravan Distributors Ltd.

[adrianb]

Bob, thats exactly what I will install in a couple of weeks. My building has free gas too, so I should get unlimited free hot water.

[Ringo]

We installed elec. in one side of our place with inside on/off switch. Takes about 15 mins. to heat up as long as we have elec. Good for one shower, then wail 15 mins. for the next. Remember to turn off.

Installed LPG, with a two tank hook up/valve. No waiting and no running out. We are very happy with instant hot water. Will replace the elec. to LPG.

We did want to install solar, but found that the run from the roof to the shower was too far and would take too long to get get the hot water and would need another tank near the shower and a small circulating pump. Just to complicated in our case.

Regards, Ringo

[Skippy1]

Originally Posted by FireGuy

Skippy, I think you mean Carbon Monoxide...

It's way more toxic than Carbon Dioxide.

Gregg

Hi Greg yes you are correct Monooxide is for more deadly.

Just as an add on to the debate. The people who have mentioned that the hot water does not last for more than one showere with an electric heater and a tank.....this can be because the tank is too small and or the problem I mentioned about cold water pressure. If you have a higher pressure in the cold system then the hot when you mix the two together like in a mixer shower sometimes the back pressure of the cold water defeats the hot and you get cold water entering the storage tank making all your hot water cold very quickly. You may need to insall non return valves or check valves
You must also check that the tank is not full of calcuim build up which is common after a year or so of use.

Solar power can be very good if you use it to generate electricity just for the heater. I am not sure of the available options here but I know in the states or Europe you can get some great deals on these kits.

Advice on cold water storage tanks on the roof. It always amazes me to see how some people use these. Water stored on the roof in black polytanks can be dangerous.....legionalla is a danger where you get warm water that does not circulate. Only a problem in spray form, like showers. I am surprised there are not more problems here with this. Do not put your cold water tank in full sunlight if possible cover it and do not use a tank that is too big for your daily consumption...remember you must keep the water turning over and not let it get stagnant.

Propane Hot water on demand heaters are ok just install correctly and maintain them they are deadly if left to themselves and poorly maintained.

The small electric add on heaters for the shower are not a good idea even if you install correctly the electrical systems in some houses and apartments are sub standard with little or no Earthing (grounding) in the bathroom areas of the rest of the house for that matter. The use of plastic pipes makes it difficult to bond the water supplies so you risk a shock from a faulty device. And believe me the show is the worse place to experiment with your bodies ability to pass current.

Check your electrical systems to see if you have a residual current device and if not fit one or if yes check that it works........ regularly.


Skippy1

Just for information I am a Counsultant Engineer Qualified and Chartered, Masters degree from University of London and BSc in Electrical Engineering, with 36 years experience should anyone want or need specific advice I would be more than happy to help if I can.

[gmiller261]

go solar. Works like a charm.

Freddy MultiService set up mine.