FYI, we replace our entire hot water system with a gas fired tankless water heater with a remote temperature control which we installed in the bathroom. We knew that the temperature setting for bathing and the time delay would be too low for normal kitchen use so a 6 gallon electric point of use tank was added in line with the hot water supply to the kitchen and installed in the basement directly under the kitchen sink. I turned the temperature of the 6 gallon heater up approaching 180 degrees and we leave the tankless temperature set on 102 to 104 which is just right for showering and bathing. In this way we only heat the water to the temperature we want and so never need to add cold water for bathing. After two years we would never go back to a tank type system and having a continuous supply of warm bath water is much appreciated when it is necessary to alleviate the pains of aging on tired old bones and joints. I've considered a second point of use tank for the bathroom sink, but have not found it necessary.
[Attachment(s) from oakridgefarm@gmail.com included below]My second question is about recirculating hot water systems. It currently takes a full minute to get hot water to our upstairs kitchen sink from the lower area where the hot water heater is and since the new half bath is about 20' further on the line, it would be longer. Our water comes out of the ground very cold, and it's not yet real winter here, and pipes cool off immediately. The only place we have hot water quickly is at the bathroom sink, directly next to the hot water heater on the ground level. I was concerned about getting hot water to the dishwasher, without it constantly kicking into a delay cycle to heat the water - even with the pipes insulated they still run through open areas. They suggested we could try a booster on the hot water heater that would probably work for the sink, not sure about the dishwasher. A recirculating system, while more expensive, would definitely solve the problem. There was several hundred dollars difference in price. He said if the booster didn't work he would refund all the labor costs but could not refund the actual cost of the booster. We decided to go ahead with the recirculating system - but now I'm wondering about the cost to operate vs the convenience of having hot water. The plumber was very thorough about explaining everything, options etc but I hope it wasn't an expense we'll regret. Although we've lived in the country almost forever this is the first time we've lived where conveniences are so hard to get and our "home" wasn't built as a full time residence so we're facing more problems. Not as young as we used to be so have to rely more on professionals.
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Posted by: Dale Schoepflin <dalu@hbcomm.net>
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