Mtnmama
New Member
Hi,
I've been reading these forums for ages but never joined. We are building and have run into a major dilemma so sorry for a long post. Hot water options for us are electric tank, heat pump tank, tankless or point of use units. We have 320 Amp electrical service but have no gas available on the property. At the base of the mountains in CO with a 17 ft gallery well near a stream so we'll get a lot of snow melt water...according to the map our lowest water temp is 40 degrees but it might be even colder in winter.
I have been looking at the Stiebel Tempra 36+ unit which it seems could get us 3.5-4 gpm at a 60-70 degree temp rise- enough for two people to shower at the same time (we have low flow showerheads and other trim). The plus features reduces water flow when more demand is requested (someone running a faucet for example) but doesn't mix in cold so no temperature shock. I love the idea of how small this would be and the unlimited hot water idea, although I do understand we would have to be mindful not to be doing too many things at once especially in winter. I have read about recirc pumps and though I wouldn't want to have one going all the time because that seems to defeat any efficiency the tankless brings- but I do see the value in the push-button activation D'mand setups. Maybe there is an even better way than recirc.
My questions are this - is this a viable approach? The plumber our GC brought on admitted he had never installed such a system and knows nothing about how they'd work in our setting. Our GC is pushing toward heat pump tank but I read those need a 10x10+ room to work and we don't have more than 2' width in a long closet. While we are ok not running all 3 showers at once, I am wondering how it will work if someone is showering and other people are trying to wash hands or someone starts up the washing machine or dishwasher. Now those appliances are both water efficient and have integrated heaters but I know they do still pull hot water before heating it up further so I don't know in reality how this is all going to function. Obviously we don't want to end up with tepid water in the dead of winter. We have a 3 story house and could locate the Tempra on the second floor so most fixtures and showerheads are within 25 feat of the unit. However our kids' bath would be more like 50 feet away, so that one concerns me (2 young kiddos). We also have a first floor guest room that while close to where the tankless would be - would have it's own kitchen sink, bathroom sink and shower, and compact laundry for occasional family visiting. Maybe this area needs its own setup?
My husband is thinking multiple point of use units throughout the house would be better than one central tankless. I cannot for the life of me figure out how to coordinate all these together, especially considering high electrical draws. Do we need one or more in every bathroom, kitchen, and laundry? Could one unit be piped to serve more than one fixture? The point of use units also seem not to heat as efficiently as far as temp rise although I understand for one shower you don't need so much. Again our plumber said he had only installed the under-sink varities in commercial settings and had no idea about a whole house setup. I'm a bit lost on this part.
I've read so much about it my head is spinning and yet I don't have a clear solution. I really want to make this work - especially because we are doing new construction so can plan it ahead the right way. But I need some professional advice. If you've read this far, I thank you!!
I've been reading these forums for ages but never joined. We are building and have run into a major dilemma so sorry for a long post. Hot water options for us are electric tank, heat pump tank, tankless or point of use units. We have 320 Amp electrical service but have no gas available on the property. At the base of the mountains in CO with a 17 ft gallery well near a stream so we'll get a lot of snow melt water...according to the map our lowest water temp is 40 degrees but it might be even colder in winter.
I have been looking at the Stiebel Tempra 36+ unit which it seems could get us 3.5-4 gpm at a 60-70 degree temp rise- enough for two people to shower at the same time (we have low flow showerheads and other trim). The plus features reduces water flow when more demand is requested (someone running a faucet for example) but doesn't mix in cold so no temperature shock. I love the idea of how small this would be and the unlimited hot water idea, although I do understand we would have to be mindful not to be doing too many things at once especially in winter. I have read about recirc pumps and though I wouldn't want to have one going all the time because that seems to defeat any efficiency the tankless brings- but I do see the value in the push-button activation D'mand setups. Maybe there is an even better way than recirc.
My questions are this - is this a viable approach? The plumber our GC brought on admitted he had never installed such a system and knows nothing about how they'd work in our setting. Our GC is pushing toward heat pump tank but I read those need a 10x10+ room to work and we don't have more than 2' width in a long closet. While we are ok not running all 3 showers at once, I am wondering how it will work if someone is showering and other people are trying to wash hands or someone starts up the washing machine or dishwasher. Now those appliances are both water efficient and have integrated heaters but I know they do still pull hot water before heating it up further so I don't know in reality how this is all going to function. Obviously we don't want to end up with tepid water in the dead of winter. We have a 3 story house and could locate the Tempra on the second floor so most fixtures and showerheads are within 25 feat of the unit. However our kids' bath would be more like 50 feet away, so that one concerns me (2 young kiddos). We also have a first floor guest room that while close to where the tankless would be - would have it's own kitchen sink, bathroom sink and shower, and compact laundry for occasional family visiting. Maybe this area needs its own setup?
My husband is thinking multiple point of use units throughout the house would be better than one central tankless. I cannot for the life of me figure out how to coordinate all these together, especially considering high electrical draws. Do we need one or more in every bathroom, kitchen, and laundry? Could one unit be piped to serve more than one fixture? The point of use units also seem not to heat as efficiently as far as temp rise although I understand for one shower you don't need so much. Again our plumber said he had only installed the under-sink varities in commercial settings and had no idea about a whole house setup. I'm a bit lost on this part.
I've read so much about it my head is spinning and yet I don't have a clear solution. I really want to make this work - especially because we are doing new construction so can plan it ahead the right way. But I need some professional advice. If you've read this far, I thank you!!