Hot Water Options
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mturi
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Hot Water Options

by mturi » Thu Dec 03, 2009 2:25 pm

I have a 6ft spa tub that I have never been able to comfortably fill with hot water because I only have a 50 gal heater. I have a four bedroom house with a family of five including three teens and do not have any problems with showers, washer, etc. I want to increase my hot water supply but have some limiting factors:
1. Current hot water heater is a 50gal lowboy model in a fairly tight crawl space.
2. My tub does not have a convenient area to install a tankless heater and I am not looking for a complete bath remodel to remove tile, etc.

I considered installing a pair of 50gal lowboys and seem confused by what I have read regarding series vs parallel. I believe I would want a parallel installation but thought I would post this for some advice.

I also need to replace my pressure tank and house filter. My water suply is well fed.

Thanks

plumbbob
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by plumbbob » Fri Dec 04, 2009 7:22 pm

Firstly, you shouldn't connect tanks in series. The hot water flowing from the secondary into the cold side of the primary will stir up the convection currents within the cylinder and will actually result in the output temperature being reduced.

Connecting in parallel is not without its problems either. If the plumbing varies at all between the two cylinders it will result in one emptying faster than the other. In fact, I wouldn't even guarantee it would work. Mind you, it wouldn't be any worse.

Another point, what type of system have you? Connecting the primary coils of two cylinders may have it's own problems.

rosebery
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by rosebery » Fri Dec 04, 2009 7:55 pm

Get yourself a local plumber Mr T. I think you are not in the UK.

Cheers

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