I have a 6 unit apartment complex with a 80 gallon electric water heater. The units are two bedrooms, and I am starting to get complaints about there not being enough hot water. Before i spend a couple thousand buying a larger commercial water heater i would like other options.
Could I run a second water heater in line with the first so that one feeds into the other. So one water heater heats the water and the other just maintains during low times.
or
Could I run an electric tankless water heater first to heat the water before it goes into the 80 gallon tank, in order to keep the supply of how water greater.
If anyone has any suggestions I would really appreaciate it.
thanks
2007-03-17 11:12:37 · 8 answers · asked by dittmer007 3 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
use 2 water heaters, if they were gas it would be best because they have a better recovery rate. In either case, a second water heater added in tandem with the first gives you an additional 80 gallons of hot water. They have to be balanced when the new one is installed so one heater is not getting more water drawn out than the other. It has to be equal or close.
I used to rough in 3 story apt buildings with 83 1 bedroom units in it for senior citizens. If memory serves me correctly we used 3 100 gallon gas heaters with 1 extra as a backup in case 1 went bad. If that gives you any indication of how much more efficient gas is.
I'm not entirely certain they make a tankless water heater big enough for what you need to use it for.
2007-03-17 18:55:53 · answer #1 · answered by Brian M 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are several options available to you. I don't know what type of heating system you have, but if it is hot water or steam, you can add a zone to the boiler, and install a tankless water heater to feed the 80 gallon. That is good for the heating system. You would also need to install another 52 or 80 gallon water heater for those months when the heating system is off.
You can install a an electric tankless, or a 52 or 80 gallon water heater in line to heat the water going to the existing 80 gallon.
You can split the system, and install two eighty gallon water heaters - each water heater to feed three apartments.
I don't know where you are located, but you might want to check into solar water heating. Several states are offering 50% rebates on the cost of installing the system, and a tax break for a few years after it is installed. You could use solar to heat the water ahead of the 80 gallon.
Go to a local plumbing supply store ( NOT home depot or Lowe's ) and ask their opinion, and what types of equipment they sell. They are usually helpful.
2007-03-17 11:43:24 · answer #2 · answered by Dave 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go with a larger water heater, to many people on a small 80 gallon heater.
2007-03-17 15:27:30 · answer #3 · answered by Terry H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you tried setting the temperature a little higher. If the apartments have dishwashers, you will need to set it 120-130 degrees.
2007-03-17 14:14:02 · answer #4 · answered by Maria M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rinnai.com Call a qualified dealer it will save you a lot of headache and you get a 300 dollar tax credit
2007-03-18 10:43:54 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you need to add water heaters, you have too many people using that waterheater, ask local plumbing company, for advice
2007-03-17 13:32:59 · answer #6 · answered by meekoe2 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Put an instant hot inline with the 80g
2007-03-17 11:15:35 · answer #7 · answered by LD 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
just call a plummer you dont want to mess anything up
2007-03-18 05:43:34 · answer #8 · answered by donielle 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋