I keep hearing tankless advocates talking about all the loss involved with tank-heaters. I don't believe it; in many cases it's not true.
A well insulated electric tank heater loses about .5% to 1% of its heat, per hour. So, a well insulated 40 gallon tank heater wastes about 5 gallons of hot water per day.
Average USA family uses 50 gallons of hot water daily. That results in 10% waste due to thermal loss while keeping 40 gallons hot all the time. That's not very much loss and results in a 90% efficient heater. It's also the reason why well insulated tank heaters are rated just about as high as tankless heaters when it comes to the efficiency numbers - if you read specs from unbiased sources. Tankless heaters also waste some energy - it does NOT all go to heating water. Consumer Reports did a study on tank heaters versus tankless and found no overall savings for most installations. I'll add this disclaimer - I don't tend to trust Consumer Reports without doublechecking, but I do agree with these findings.
A house with a family living in it - with one tankless heater needs something like a 3 1/2 GPM unit with a 55 degree temperature rise. That means if your cold water is normally 55 degrees F, the tankless heater will warm it up to 110 degrees (raises the temp by 55 degrees). To install, it requires a 120 amp, 220 volt circuit (more than some entire houses have). So, you've got the cost of the electrical installation, plus the $600-$700 for the new heater - about twice what a tank heater costs. I'll also add that parts for electric tank heaters are usually generic. If a part fails, like an electrode, upper or lower thermostat, I can go just about anywhere and get a new one. Not so easy with some of these tankless heaters.
As Mr. Buick-and-Deere stated earlier, there are certain type of applications - especially with long pipe runs, where a point-of-use tankless can save some money.
Another aspect of most tankless heaters that I regard as a downside is . . . they don't have thermostats. So, if you feed them with preheated water, they STILL come on and waste energy. This can be avoided by ordering "special" tankless heaters, usually made for the solar market.
We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]
Today's Featured Article - Show Coverage: Godfrey, Illinois Country Days - by Cindy Ladage. Except for last fourth of July's Old Gold show in Springfield, Illinois, I don't remember when it was so hot. Nevertheless, the heat didn't keep vendors and visitors alike from enjoying the third annual Country Day's Event. Jane Elliott said the event was originally a one man show. "Barry Seiler, owner of Country Town Farm Supply store used to invite people up to the Johne Deere store. He would give hats and a free meal for everyone that brings a tractor." Elliott said while this
... [Read Article]
Latest Ad:
Sell 1958 Hi-Altitude Massey Fergerson tractor, original condition. three point hitch pto engine, Runs well, photos available upon request
[More Ads]
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy
TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.
