Posted by Lord Gow333, Dirk Benedict's n on May 21, 2009, 3:29 pm
> 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
Huh. I would have given them more credit than that, but that's good to know.
Thanks.
LG
--
Failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently. - Henry Ford
Posted by Mike on April 22, 2009, 10:38 pm
On Sat, 18 Apr 2009 22:11:19 -0400, user@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?
Yes, insulate under your main floor level and trickle ventilate your
basement so as to maintain a basement temperature of 40 deg F thereby
reducing your overall energy consumption. 40 deg F ensures no freezing
pipes, but if you are paranoid add electrical trace heating round the
cold water feed.
--
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>>
>>> 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