Hi,
I need to get a larger water heater and I'm trying to weigh my options. We frequently run out of hot water in the morning..
I currently have a 40 gallon water heater with a 38,000 BTU input natural Gas burner. I got it for 175 dollars barley used. It is about 3 years old now and doesn't really have any issues except too small.
Here are some options:
Get a commercial 40 gallon unit with a larger burner 80,000btu.
Pros: Same footprint
Cons: Cost?
Replace it with a 50 gallon gas unit.
Pros: only 10 more gallons, will that make a difference?
Cons: What do I do with the old one?
Put two 40 gallon gas units in series
Pros: would likley solve all my demand issues
Cons: takes up too much space
Put a larger electric tankless unit in series with the gas water heater as pre-heater
Pros: could take up little space, would be able to turn it on and off manually to save energy
Cons: Need to wire in 220v and increase electrical service panel size...
Put a small electric point of use unit before gas water heater as a pre-heater and turn on when I take a shower and off when not..
Pros: could power with 110 and use existing panel
Cons: Is this code? Would a 1500W unit take enough of the edge off to make a difference in demand when taking a shower? Most Point of use only have half inch connections, would this create too much pressure drop?
Where is the best place to get water heaters?
I need to get a larger water heater and I'm trying to weigh my options. We frequently run out of hot water in the morning..
I currently have a 40 gallon water heater with a 38,000 BTU input natural Gas burner. I got it for 175 dollars barley used. It is about 3 years old now and doesn't really have any issues except too small.
Here are some options:
Get a commercial 40 gallon unit with a larger burner 80,000btu.
Pros: Same footprint
Cons: Cost?
Replace it with a 50 gallon gas unit.
Pros: only 10 more gallons, will that make a difference?
Cons: What do I do with the old one?
Put two 40 gallon gas units in series
Pros: would likley solve all my demand issues
Cons: takes up too much space
Put a larger electric tankless unit in series with the gas water heater as pre-heater
Pros: could take up little space, would be able to turn it on and off manually to save energy
Cons: Need to wire in 220v and increase electrical service panel size...
Put a small electric point of use unit before gas water heater as a pre-heater and turn on when I take a shower and off when not..
Pros: could power with 110 and use existing panel
Cons: Is this code? Would a 1500W unit take enough of the edge off to make a difference in demand when taking a shower? Most Point of use only have half inch connections, would this create too much pressure drop?
Where is the best place to get water heaters?