mnRemodeler
Member
I have two 80 gallon hot water heaters for off-peak electric. Except there are a couple of caveats. First, the power company came and removed the off-peak meter. They said we would continue to be charged off-peak rates but it wouldn't really be off-peak any more. (good for us)
Second, the electrician wired them up wrong. For off-peak, the top element on 1 heater and the bottom element on the other heater should be energized with the theory that they will thermal siphon. Well, they are wired backwards in relation to which heater has the cold water entering it.
Third, in the winter time I turn off the electric and use the tanks only for storage. I have an outdoor wood boiler that makes hot water (through a water-to-water hx as fast as we use it. We have unlimited hot water.
Now the problem. We have a B&B with a 50 gallon whirlpool tub and we run out of hot water before the tub is filled. This is summer months only when using the electric heaters and not the wood boiler.
So I'm considering wiring each 80 gallon heater to be on its own electric circuit and with each having both elements in use. This should effectively give me 160 gallons of hot water.
What I don't know is if the fact that the heaters are wired backwards is the problem or if its just that filling a 50 gallon whirlpool is going to take more hot water than an "off-peak" electric hot water system can handle? Should I fix the wiring and try it again?
I'm leaning towards putting each tank on its own electrical circuit with all 4 elements getting power and then installing blankets on the heater to make them more efficient.
Thoughts?
Second, the electrician wired them up wrong. For off-peak, the top element on 1 heater and the bottom element on the other heater should be energized with the theory that they will thermal siphon. Well, they are wired backwards in relation to which heater has the cold water entering it.
Third, in the winter time I turn off the electric and use the tanks only for storage. I have an outdoor wood boiler that makes hot water (through a water-to-water hx as fast as we use it. We have unlimited hot water.
Now the problem. We have a B&B with a 50 gallon whirlpool tub and we run out of hot water before the tub is filled. This is summer months only when using the electric heaters and not the wood boiler.
So I'm considering wiring each 80 gallon heater to be on its own electric circuit and with each having both elements in use. This should effectively give me 160 gallons of hot water.
What I don't know is if the fact that the heaters are wired backwards is the problem or if its just that filling a 50 gallon whirlpool is going to take more hot water than an "off-peak" electric hot water system can handle? Should I fix the wiring and try it again?
I'm leaning towards putting each tank on its own electrical circuit with all 4 elements getting power and then installing blankets on the heater to make them more efficient.
Thoughts?