Do indirect water heaters need a storage tank?
Indirect water heaters are a more efficient choice for most homes, even though they require a storage tank. An indirect water heater uses the main furnace or boiler to heat a fluid that's circulated through a heat exchanger in the storage tank.
How does an indirect water heater work?
A good example of this is a modern AC unit, which uses a coolant that heats up and evaporated inside, then condenses as it releases the heat outside. In most cases, your indirect water heater will be connected to a boiler (see also ‘ What’s The Difference Between A Water Heater, Furnace, And Boiler? ‘).
What is the difference between an indirect tank and a tank?
With an indirect tank, the temperature differential is a lot less. The pipe with hot boiler water quickly heats the water in the indirect tank, whereas the water in the standard tank-type heater takes longer to heat and is exposed to more drastic temperature extremes.
How does a boiler water heater work?
The pipe with hot boiler water quickly heats the water in the indirect tank, whereas the water in the standard tank-type heater takes longer to heat and is exposed to more drastic temperature extremes. With a coiled pipe inside an indirect tank, there is no frequent thermal expansion, reducing mechanical stress on the tank as a result.
How does an indirect water heater work in the summer?
By using a heat exchanger to heat water via the space heating unit, indirect hot water heaters perform at the same time you choose to heat the air indoors. This can benefit your energy bill year round but, especially so during the summer months.
How efficient are indirect water heaters?
Conventional heaters are only about 50% efficient. In other words, for every $100 spent on gas for the water heater, $50 goes out through the chimney. An indirect-fired water heater, on the other hand, does not have a vent, which means that it is 99.9% efficient.
What are the advantages of indirect hot water system?
The greatest advantages of the indirect water heaters are the significant reduction of flue losses. Less maintenance – no additional burners to maintain. Less cost – no additional venting required or fuel lines to run. Better performance – more available hot water with quicker recoveries.
What is the difference between a direct and indirect water heater?
What's the difference between direct and indirect water heaters? A direct-fired water heater heats up with propane, oil, or natural gas and has its own burner. Indirect water heaters use a boiler or furnace to supply the heat needed for the water.
How long does it take for an indirect water heater to heat up?
Your average gas tank water heater takes about 30 to 40 minutes to heat water once it gets in the tank. This preliminary heat up happens when new water from your water supply is fed into the tank.
Do you need to flush an indirect water heater?
The most obvious difference between an indirect and tankless heater is the existence of a tank. Indirect water heaters have a limited hot water supply and require flushing, two issues a tankless heater is less prone to.
What are the disadvantages of an indirect cold water system?
Indirect systems also operate at a lower pressure than mains water. They are much quieter, and less susceptible to water hammer. The main disadvantage of an indirect system is the risk of stagnation and contamination that comes with keeping a large quantity of water open to the atmosphere.
Why is indirect heating used?
Indirect heat transfer results in a higher quality final product, as the bulk solid does not come in direct contact with air or fluid, eliminating the risk of contamination.
What are disadvantages of direct water supply system?
Disadvantages: If water is supplied only for specific period of time continuous water flow will not be available and such system cannot survive. As 24 x 7 water supply would not be available. Pipes have leakage due to high pressures.
How do I adjust the temperature on my indirect water heater?
4:186:03Hot Water Heater Temperature Adjustment do it yourself. - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut that's how you adjust the temperature on your hot water in your hot water heater you just turnMoreBut that's how you adjust the temperature on your hot water in your hot water heater you just turn that little dial with a screwdriver. And choose your new temperature.
How do I know if I have a direct or indirect water heater?
The real difference is that an indirect cylinder is filled from a plastic tank usually in the loft whereas a direct cylinder is filled directly from the cold water supply.
How do I know if my hot water cylinder is direct or indirect?
Direct and Indirect A 'direct' cylinder is heated via an electric immersion and does not work with gas, oil or heat pump systems. An 'indirect' cylinder has coil running through the cylinder. 'Primary' heating water (not fresh water) passes through the coil and is heated by the boiler to around 70 degrees C.
What is the most efficient type of hot water heater?
4. Solar Water HeaterUses renewable energy: Solar water heaters are the most energy-efficient water heater options available today. ... Lower utility bills: In addition to being incredibly eco-friendly, solar panels are also incredibly cost-friendly.More items...•
Are indirect water heaters more expensive?
Pros and Cons of an Indirect Water Heater They are more expensive than most boilers to purchase and install. While they have almost no additional energy costs during the winter months, your boiler must fire up to heat the water during the summer.
How long does a stainless steel indirect water heater last?
Super Stor indirect fired hot water heaters are made of stainless steel. They do not have nor do they need a sacrificial anode rod when installed correctly and in situations where there are no other problems. They typically last about 20 years.
What is the most efficient way to heat hot water?
A modern combi-boiler, which provides instant hot water, is generally considered to be more energy efficient than a 'stored' hot water system. You could install solar water heating (SWH), also known as solar hot water (SHW).
Applications
Types
Advantages
- Indirect water heater systems can be fired by natural gas, oil, propane or electricity (whichever heat source is used by the space heating boiler). An indirect water heater can also complement a solar collector, providing any additional heating that cannot be supplied with solar radiation alone. The efficiency of indirect-fired water heaters depends chiefly on two factors: the effectiveness o…
Classification
- Indirect water heating systems can be further classified into three subtypes, depending on how they handle the water flowing through them.
Example
- To calculate the heat output of an indirect water heater, the following data is required: Once the date above is available, the following formula is used: As an example, assume the following data: Considering the data above, the heat input required for the water is: However, this is heat supplied to the water. Since no system is perfect, it is necessary to account for the efficiency of the indire…
Operation
- The cold water supply to the indirect heater may contain a check valve, pressure reducing valve, or backflow preventer, creating a closed system. As the heated water expands, it builds up pressure in the closed system, and this may cause the T&P (temperature and pressure) relief valve to weep or discharge water. To prevent this, an expansion tank m...
Safety
- Conventional water heaters suffer a faster deterioration because they are exposed directly to a flame at the bottom of the tank. In addition, they must also handle flue gases. Frequent exposure to high temperature causes expansion and contraction, and mechanical stress on welded joints. Eventually, welded seams start to crack open, and thats when a replacement is required.
Results
- Whichever water heating system you choose, there will always be different costs to consider. When you go for a combination system, even if the boiler is already installed in your building, you must assume the cost of extra piping and pumps, plus the electricity to run those pumps, in addition to the indirect tank itself. However, after the initial investment, the combination system …