-=> Quoting Tim Hutzler to Rich Willbanks <=-
 -=> Quoting Rich Willbanks to Elaine Roberts <=-
 
 --------To Install in a Mobile in Florida----------
 ER> Looking for info on a system called "Hot Water on Demand".
 > renovating in November. We are interested in how it works.
 
 RW> As for how they work. You have a coil or series of pipes that the
 > water flows through and a burner under it. The burner is
 > activated when the water in the coil starts flowing. That way it
 > is only heating water when needed or "on demand".
 RW> They only heat water so many degrees above ambient.
 TH> Ambient what? Air, water input? You neglected to say. They do heat
 TH> water with a fixed BTU input, ie. there will be a temperature rise
 TH> according to three factors: Flow rate, input temp, and BTU input.
 TH> However, if the flow is low enough the outflow will achieve a given
 TH> temp and a gas will be moderated to limit the maximum. However, if the
 TH> flow is high (like fillig a tub AND running a dishwasher) the outflow
 TH> temp will drop quite a bit, even to the point where the 'hot' water is
 TH> merrely warm, or even tepid. I think you pretty much know the basics,
 TH> and these heaters are rather basic.
 
 
 RW> They will save money and fuel but they are expensive. The last
 > time I checked one large enough to handle my needs was over $800.
 > IMO, they only are a good buy if:
 When you say $800., are you talking about top of the line (and
 largest)?  We don't need a tremendous amount of hot water and it will
 be in a mobile unit.  We just want to make sure we can, at least,
 *fill* a bathtub!
 TH> Wow! When I bought my Myson it was about $350. I was considering
 TH> replacing it with a larger unit. But after seeing the price, I decided
 TH> to build a solar batch water heater. It raises the input temp of the
 TH> water such that I can get much more and hotter water.
 May I ask "What is a Solar Batch Water Heater"?
 TH> It turned out to be a far better investment. In the winter I get more
 TH> hot water for the same amount of gas, and for nine-months out of the
 TH> year I have the Myson water heater shut off entirely!
 
 
 ER> Can it be used with a Propane or Electric Hot Water tank?
 
 RW> I'm assuming that you want to know if you can use propane or
 > electricity to heat the water.
 TH> It sounds like she wants to prefeed another water heater. Of course
 TH> that would defeat the investment.
 Sorry, what I should have asked was if it can be used with Propane or
 Electricity, as well as gas?
 TH> I had considered using an electric water heater as a backup should I
 TH> run out of gas during the winter. That would be the only reason why I
 TH> would do this. After all, I have 140 gals of hot water each day the
 TH> sun shines. 
 Sounds great, but we would be limited for space in a Mobile Park.  This
 is why we are considering getting rid of the water tank.
 Haven't heard from anyone in Florida, but it should be the same in
 California........right?
 Apologize for butting in.
 Elaine
--- GEcho 1.00
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