Posted by Jim Wilkins on April 19, 2009, 1:21 pm
On Apr 18, 10:11pm, u...@domain.invalid wrote:
> In my area cold water inlet temperatures often drop to almost the
> freezing point of water. I have recorded temperatures as low as 34F
> in January when the frost get down to about four feet below ground.
> The average temperature in my basement where the water heater and
> furnace sit remains about 66f all year. I had though of putting in a
> second bare tank to receive the cold water before the water heater,
> allowing it to heat up to room temperature before entering the water
> heater. Any thoughts?
"Tempering Tank"
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=tempering+tanks&aq=0&oq=
The local plumbing suppliers were no help at all when I went looking
for a suitable tank at a reasonable price. I don't know about your
skills, code or insurance situation, but you might consider well and
water softener tanks.
One of the suppliers mentioned possible problems with biofilm and
bacterial growth, which you should research. This also applies to
water heaters set below ~ 50C.
My solar water heater tank, outdoors and not connected to the
household plumbing, is a used electric water heater I removed from a
house I helped remodel. It didn't leak when I got it but has had
enough problems since then that I don't recommend one indoors
connected to the water supply. For one thing the screw-in element
bungs aren't pipe threads, they are slightly larger straight threads
and a standard pipe plug may screw all the way in without sealing
them. I machined custom thermowell and cold inlet fittings to fit.
Posted by Lord Gow333, Dirk Benedict's n on April 20, 2009, 5:17 pm
On Apr 18, 10:11 pm, u...@domain.invalid wrote:
> In my area cold water inlet temperatures often drop to almost the
> freezing point of water. I have recorded temperatures as low as 34F
> in January when the frost get down to about four feet below ground.
> The average temperature in my basement where the water heater and
> furnace sit remains about 66f all year. I had though of putting in a
> second bare tank to receive the cold water before the water heater,
> allowing it to heat up to room temperature before entering the water
> heater. Any thoughts?
"Tempering Tank"
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=tempering+tanks&aq=0&oq=
The local plumbing suppliers were no help at all when I went looking
for a suitable tank at a reasonable price. I don't know about your
skills, code or insurance situation, but you might consider well and
water softener tanks.
One of the suppliers mentioned possible problems with biofilm and
bacterial growth, which you should research. This also applies to
water heaters set below ~ 50C.
My solar water heater tank, outdoors and not connected to the
household plumbing, is a used electric water heater I removed from a
house I helped remodel. It didn't leak when I got it but has had
enough problems since then that I don't recommend one indoors
connected to the water supply. For one thing the screw-in element
bungs aren't pipe threads, they are slightly larger straight threads
and a standard pipe plug may screw all the way in without sealing
them. I machined custom thermowell and cold inlet fittings to fit.
~~~~
How about a used 55 gallon drum (preferably from a food processing plant) as
a storage tank? I've never pressure tested one, and certainly wouldn't use
it for a water heater/boiler, but would they take street pressure as a
storage tank?
LG (just tossing it out there)
--
"Keep it simple. If it takes a genius to understand it, it will never work."
- Clarence Leonard "Kelly" Johnson
Posted by Bob F on April 21, 2009, 2:57 pm
Lord Gow333, Dirk Benedict's newest fan! wrote:
> On Apr 18, 10:11 pm, u...@domain.invalid wrote:
>> In my area cold water inlet temperatures often drop to almost the
>> freezing point of water. I have recorded temperatures as low as 34F
>> in January when the frost get down to about four feet below ground.
>> The average temperature in my basement where the water heater and
>> furnace sit remains about 66f all year. I had though of putting in a
>> second bare tank to receive the cold water before the water heater,
>> allowing it to heat up to room temperature before entering the water
>> heater. Any thoughts?
> "Tempering Tank"
> http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=tempering+tanks&aq=0&oq=
> The local plumbing suppliers were no help at all when I went looking
> for a suitable tank at a reasonable price. I don't know about your
> skills, code or insurance situation, but you might consider well and
> water softener tanks.
> One of the suppliers mentioned possible problems with biofilm and
> bacterial growth, which you should research. This also applies to
> water heaters set below ~ 50C.
> My solar water heater tank, outdoors and not connected to the
> household plumbing, is a used electric water heater I removed from a
> house I helped remodel. It didn't leak when I got it but has had
> enough problems since then that I don't recommend one indoors
> connected to the water supply. For one thing the screw-in element
> bungs aren't pipe threads, they are slightly larger straight threads
> and a standard pipe plug may screw all the way in without sealing
> them. I machined custom thermowell and cold inlet fittings to fit.
> ~~~~
> How about a used 55 gallon drum (preferably from a food processing
> plant) as a storage tank? I've never pressure tested one, and
> certainly wouldn't use it for a water heater/boiler, but would they
> take street pressure as a storage tank?
I seriously doubt a drum would handle the pressure. Plus, a drum would rust.
Water heaters are glass lined and have anodes to prevent corrosion.
Posted by Lord Gow333, Dirk Benedict's n on April 21, 2009, 4:58 pm
> Lord Gow333, Dirk Benedict's newest fan! wrote:
>> On Apr 18, 10:11 pm, u...@domain.invalid wrote:
>>> In my area cold water inlet temperatures often drop to almost the
>>> freezing point of water. I have recorded temperatures as low as 34F
>>> in January when the frost get down to about four feet below ground.
>>> The average temperature in my basement where the water heater and
>>> furnace sit remains about 66f all year. I had though of putting in a
>>> second bare tank to receive the cold water before the water heater,
>>> allowing it to heat up to room temperature before entering the water
>>> heater. Any thoughts?
>>
>> "Tempering Tank"
>> http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=tempering+tanks&aq=0&oq=
>>
>> The local plumbing suppliers were no help at all when I went looking
>> for a suitable tank at a reasonable price. I don't know about your
>> skills, code or insurance situation, but you might consider well and
>> water softener tanks.
>>
>> One of the suppliers mentioned possible problems with biofilm and
>> bacterial growth, which you should research. This also applies to
>> water heaters set below ~ 50C.
>>
>> My solar water heater tank, outdoors and not connected to the
>> household plumbing, is a used electric water heater I removed from a
>> house I helped remodel. It didn't leak when I got it but has had
>> enough problems since then that I don't recommend one indoors
>> connected to the water supply. For one thing the screw-in element
>> bungs aren't pipe threads, they are slightly larger straight threads
>> and a standard pipe plug may screw all the way in without sealing
>> them. I machined custom thermowell and cold inlet fittings to fit.
>>
>> ~~~~
>> How about a used 55 gallon drum (preferably from a food processing
>> plant) as a storage tank? I've never pressure tested one, and
>> certainly wouldn't use it for a water heater/boiler, but would they
>> take street pressure as a storage tank?
> I seriously doubt a drum would handle the pressure.
Fair enough.
>Plus, a drum would rust. Water heaters are glass lined and have anodes to
>prevent corrosion.
Granted, but around here used drums go for $0 a piece, so the solution for
that would be to change it out fairly often.
Of course if it won't take the pressure then it's all moot anyway.
LG
--
Failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently. - Henry Ford
Posted by Eric on May 8, 2009, 6:36 am
Lord Gow333, Dirk Benedict's newest fan! wrote:
>
>> Lord Gow333, Dirk Benedict's newest fan! wrote:
>>> On Apr 18, 10:11 pm, u...@domain.invalid wrote:
>>>> In my area cold water inlet temperatures often drop to almost the
>>>> freezing point of water. I have recorded temperatures as low as 34F
>>>> in January when the frost get down to about four feet below ground.
>>>> The average temperature in my basement where the water heater and
>>>> furnace sit remains about 66f all year. I had though of putting in a
>>>> second bare tank to receive the cold water before the water heater,
>>>> allowing it to heat up to room temperature before entering the water
>>>> heater. Any thoughts?
>>>
>>> "Tempering Tank"
>>> http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=tempering+tanks&aq=0&oq=
>>>
>>> The local plumbing suppliers were no help at all when I went looking
>>> for a suitable tank at a reasonable price. I don't know about your
>>> skills, code or insurance situation, but you might consider well and
>>> water softener tanks.
>>>
>>> One of the suppliers mentioned possible problems with biofilm and
>>> bacterial growth, which you should research. This also applies to
>>> water heaters set below ~ 50C.
>>>
>>> My solar water heater tank, outdoors and not connected to the
>>> household plumbing, is a used electric water heater I removed from a
>>> house I helped remodel. It didn't leak when I got it but has had
>>> enough problems since then that I don't recommend one indoors
>>> connected to the water supply. For one thing the screw-in element
>>> bungs aren't pipe threads, they are slightly larger straight threads
>>> and a standard pipe plug may screw all the way in without sealing
>>> them. I machined custom thermowell and cold inlet fittings to fit.
>>>
>>> ~~~~
>>> How about a used 55 gallon drum (preferably from a food processing
>>> plant) as a storage tank? I've never pressure tested one, and
>>> certainly wouldn't use it for a water heater/boiler, but would they
>>> take street pressure as a storage tank?
>>
>> I seriously doubt a drum would handle the pressure.
>
> Fair enough.
>
>>Plus, a drum would rust. Water heaters are glass lined and have anodes to
>>prevent corrosion.
>
> Granted, but around here used drums go for $0 a piece, so the solution
> for that would be to change it out fairly often.
>
> Of course if it won't take the pressure then it's all moot anyway.
>
> LG
A std 55 gallon drum wont take even 15psi - I know, i tried it years ago in
an attempt to make a solar shower and it burst immediately
Eric
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> freezing point of water. I have recorded temperatures as low as 34F
> in January when the frost get down to about four feet below ground.
> The average temperature in my basement where the water heater and
> furnace sit remains about 66f all year. I had though of putting in a
> second bare tank to receive the cold water before the water heater,
> allowing it to heat up to room temperature before entering the water
> heater. Any thoughts?