Years ago I went through water heater choices and I simply decided to do nothing. Now, I am tried of not having ebnough hot water.
I live in North carolina so weather is not extreme but we do get a decent amount of cold in the winter. We currently have a 50 gallon (inexpensive) gas water heater in the garage. Nothing special and most likely not the highest BTU. The house is 25 years old, water heater I am guessing is nearing end of life (around 12 years old.. no rust showing in water though). Water heater is located in garage and is atmospherically vented via a 3 inch duct (first restriction).
When we re-did bathrooms a few years back we considered changing to a 4 inch vent but the $1250 estimate, mess and associated delays convinced us to do nothing.
Everytime I start thinking tankless (I know many who love theirs) I read and realize it isn't the best choice for us. Here is the bottom line problem:
We have a decent sized tub (75 gallons to the overflow) that I use to help ease the pain in my back and legs. My wife takes a shower every night and sometimes a bath. water temp wise she never requires a really hot shower or bath whereas I prefer very hot/warm water.
In summer months our existing water heater often does ok even though we will need to have a little time between her shower and my bath. In winter months it is just irritating. If I take a bath first (assuming I get enough hot water) it is a LONG wait before she can shower. I usually let her shower first, wait an hour and then fill the tub. Sometimes it is warm enough. Other times it may turn into a drain and refill, or a half fill, wait 40 minutes and fill up rest of way.
I do not see a tankless as the best option for the tub fills (long fills) and I am not sure I want the maintenance.
I do not know the set up for our gas lines under the house. If BTU's on new water heater climb I assume we will need to have lines evaluated. I would prefer NOT to have to also update the meter, if it can be avoided.
Obviously we can go to a larger sized tank water heater and vent via power vent out side of garage. That is one option that comes to mind. Then we can balance out the BTUs, recovery rate. I also am guessing the first hour rating for a water heater will not help much in filling the tub with nice hot water.
I also read about other water heaters including the Phoenix Light, Vertex, and Polaris. The Vertex has a 76K BTU version but I'm not sure it really offers enough to justify the price at that BTU level. Going larger no doubt means gas line changes.
Any advice on which direction will work the best? I am ok with having new gas lines installed if that is a solution. We aren't taking dual showers while running dishwashers and so on. But the current lack of hot water for the tub is irritating, especially when you fill it and it is lukewarm at best! Thx John
I live in North carolina so weather is not extreme but we do get a decent amount of cold in the winter. We currently have a 50 gallon (inexpensive) gas water heater in the garage. Nothing special and most likely not the highest BTU. The house is 25 years old, water heater I am guessing is nearing end of life (around 12 years old.. no rust showing in water though). Water heater is located in garage and is atmospherically vented via a 3 inch duct (first restriction).
When we re-did bathrooms a few years back we considered changing to a 4 inch vent but the $1250 estimate, mess and associated delays convinced us to do nothing.
Everytime I start thinking tankless (I know many who love theirs) I read and realize it isn't the best choice for us. Here is the bottom line problem:
We have a decent sized tub (75 gallons to the overflow) that I use to help ease the pain in my back and legs. My wife takes a shower every night and sometimes a bath. water temp wise she never requires a really hot shower or bath whereas I prefer very hot/warm water.
In summer months our existing water heater often does ok even though we will need to have a little time between her shower and my bath. In winter months it is just irritating. If I take a bath first (assuming I get enough hot water) it is a LONG wait before she can shower. I usually let her shower first, wait an hour and then fill the tub. Sometimes it is warm enough. Other times it may turn into a drain and refill, or a half fill, wait 40 minutes and fill up rest of way.
I do not see a tankless as the best option for the tub fills (long fills) and I am not sure I want the maintenance.
I do not know the set up for our gas lines under the house. If BTU's on new water heater climb I assume we will need to have lines evaluated. I would prefer NOT to have to also update the meter, if it can be avoided.
Obviously we can go to a larger sized tank water heater and vent via power vent out side of garage. That is one option that comes to mind. Then we can balance out the BTUs, recovery rate. I also am guessing the first hour rating for a water heater will not help much in filling the tub with nice hot water.
I also read about other water heaters including the Phoenix Light, Vertex, and Polaris. The Vertex has a 76K BTU version but I'm not sure it really offers enough to justify the price at that BTU level. Going larger no doubt means gas line changes.
Any advice on which direction will work the best? I am ok with having new gas lines installed if that is a solution. We aren't taking dual showers while running dishwashers and so on. But the current lack of hot water for the tub is irritating, especially when you fill it and it is lukewarm at best! Thx John