How does an indirect fired water heater work?
An indirect fired water heater is connected to the boiler that provides heat for a home. The water heater does not have its own energy supply; instead, it uses the heat supply from the boiler and applies it to the water that goes to your taps.
Which water heater is cheaper to operate?
- Size . Size impacts hot water heaters in two ways. ...
- Energy-Efficiency . While gas hot water heaters cost less to run due to the lower cost of natural gas, electric heaters are actually more efficient.
- Costs . Of the two types of hot water heaters, electric costs less to purchase but costs more to run over time.
- Safety Concerns . ...
What is the best type of water heater?
- American Standard – Produces residential and commercial water heaters.
- American Water Heaters – Sub-brand of AO Smith sells many residential and commercial models. ...
- Bosch – Electric, gas and solar waters heaters, as well as mini-tank systems.
- Navien – Specializes in tankless water heaters and boilers. ...
How does indirect hot water heater work?
- Capacity: All water heaters must supply a family with their hot water requirements, especially during peak use. ...
- Insulation: Indirect water heaters rely on an external heat source to heat the water. ...
- First-hour Rating: An indirect water heater must deliver as much hot water as possible within the first hour of its operation. ...
What is the difference between a direct and indirect water heater?
Direct fired water heaters are solely dedicated to the job of hot water generation, providing a faster heat up and response time compared with an indirect system which is in fact 'heating water to heat water'.
How do I know if my water heater is direct or indirect?
Direct water heaters have more parts than indirect water heaters. An indirect water heater has no gas or electric heating elements in its tank. Water in a direct heater is heated by oil, natural gas or propane. The heater has a burner.
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.
Do indirect water heaters require electricity?
An indirect-fired water heater does not require electricity or gas and, therefore, does not need a vent. In fact, it's nothing more than a storage tank with a coil inside and inlet and outlet taps (connection points).
How long do indirect water heaters last?
15-20 yearsHow long does an indirect water heater last? Indirect water heaters typically last 15-20 years.
How long does it take for a indirect water heater to heat up?
If you're starting with a cold tank of water, you can expect that it'll take roughly 30 to 40 minutes to heat 40-gallons of water. Larger tanks will take longer. A 40-gallon GAS hot water heater will take 30 to 40 minutes to heat up.
What are the disadvantages of an indirect cold water system?
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. Current water regulations require cisterns to be fitted with a set of components to ensure the water remains potable, i.e. drinkable.
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.
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.
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.
Does an indirect water heater need an expansion tank?
Short answer? If your home has a “closed” plumbing system, then yes, you'll need an expansion tank.
Is it OK to leave the water heater on pilot?
Yes it is safe to leave the water heater in pilot mode while flushing. You do not want the burner to fire while the tank is empty as this can damage the tank but the pilot will not cause a problem. Added: most gas valves with a standing pilot have the temp setting and “pilot” then off settings.
What is a direct contact water heater?
A direct contact water heater, as its name suggests, permits the products of combustion to come into direct contact with the water that needs to be heated. The process is significantly more efficient than other types of heating systems, allowing plant operators to lower fuel costs, emissions, and even labor costs.
What is direct venting water heater?
A direct vent water heater uses special coaxial venting that has separate chambers for intake air and exhaust in a single assembled vent piece. The venting runs from the water heater through the side of your home. They pull and push air from outside to negate any backdrafting within your home.
What is a direct storage water heater?
What is a Direct Hot Water Cylinder? A direct hot water cylinder uses heat sources physically located in the cylinder, such as an electric immersion heater, to heat the water. These heating systems tend to be located in premises where there is no access to gas, particularly upper level flats or apartments.
What is a direct heating system?
In direct heating systems, heat is generated directly within a material by passing electric current through it, or by causing controlled exothermic reactions, or by exciting atoms or molecules inside the material by electromagnetic radiation (e.g., microwaves).
What is indirect water heating?
Basically, an indirect water heating system uses the energy generated by your furnace or boiler to heat the water and air in your home. By having your furnace or boiler do double duty during the winter months, you’re essentially getting your water heated for free, since your heating system will be running anyway.
How much does water heating account for?
Considering the fact that water heating can account for anywhere from 20 percent to one third of your energy bills in the winter, that’s a pretty big deal – one that becomes an even better deal when you pair an indirect water heating system with a high efficiency boiler or furnace as the heat source.
What is indirect water heater?
Indirect water heaters use heat transfer to create hot water. This means there are no electric or gas heating elements in the tank itself.
How does an indirect water heater save money?
Indirect water heaters take advantage of an existing heating source for power, thus they can save a lot of money over the long run.
How many gallons of water can a tankless water heater hold?
Tankless water heaters can provide a certain number of gallons per minute (based on their rating) indefinitely. Meanwhile, an indirect heater can provide unlimited hot water per minute up to as many gallons as the tank can hold. In both cases, you will have to rely upon an energy cost to maintain water temperature.
Which is more efficient, an indirect heater or an HVAC system?
In the end, indirect heaters can be most efficient in homes which are well-suited or already employ a complimentary-style HVAC system. See Also: Best Residential Water Heaters.
How hot does water turn to steam?
The water turns to steam at the heat source, with temperatures as high as 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Upon reaching the lower end of the storage tank, the surrounding cooler water pulls heat from the coils and the steam condenses back into a liquid to be recycled back into the heat supply.
Can you use an indirect furnace with a tankless water heater?
Note that indirect systems aren’t ideal for a forced air furnace, which is far more compatible with tankless water heaters. A tankless model requires its own electricity and fuel, but draws heat from an indirect furnace.
Is a direct water heater better than an indirect water heater?
However, it could be argued that standard direct water heaters have a slight advantage, since there’s always some heat loss when transporting water over a distance. Indirect heaters balance this by having fewer parts exposed to the naturally corrosive elements found in the tank water and no independent energy cost.
What is indirect water heater?
The first thing to know is that an indirect water heater is, in essence, little more than a well-insulated storage tank that holds a coiled heat exchanger, though a less common version relies on a tank-in-tan k design. But in either case, the “indirect” unit doesn’t produce its own heat; instead, it relies on the boiler.
How efficient is an indirect water heater?
The key distinction is that the efficiency of an indirect water heater equals the efficiency of the boiler, and boilers typically outperform most water heaters. If you have a brand-new high-performance boiler capable of achieving 96 percent efficiency, you’re much better off than you would be with a tankless unit that offers 80 percent efficiency ...
What is the difference between a boiler and an indirect heater?
In essence, the boiler does all the work, while the indirect heater merely facilitates the transfer of heat.
How does a boiler work?
In a typical arrangement, a closed-loop water pipe connects the boiler to the indirect water heater, feeding heated water to it. Though the boiler-fired water never mixes with the water in the storage tank, it circulates through the coils in the heat exchanger, which in turn heat the water for household use. In essence, the boiler does all the ...
Why is my water heater out of sight?
Most simply take it for gran ted that whenever they turn on the shower or start the dishwasher, the hot water will be ready and waiting. But like it or not, when an existing hot water heater fails, even the most uninvolved homeowners have to shake off their inertia and familiarize themselves with the product landscape.
Is indirect water heating the least expensive?
In fact, according to the Department of Energy, under ideal circumstances indirect water heaters are “the least expensive means of providing hot water” to the point-of-use fixtures you rely on every ...
Do water heaters use more energy?
Given that water heaters consum e a lot more energy than most people think— more energy than most other household appliances combined—opting for a high-efficiency solution can go a long way toward improving your bottom line, especially over the long term. Advertisement.
What Is An Indirect Water Heater?
An indirect water heater is a water heater that uses your home’s boiler/furnace to heat water through a heat exchange. The heat exchange that keeps your water hot is in a storage tank.
Why are indirect water heaters so popular?
Water bills become cheaper when you have an indirect water heater simply because you’re piggybacking off a furnace or boiler. Indirect water heater models also work with your current source of heat.
How much does an indirect water heater cost?
An indirect water heater will cost anywhere from $800 to $1500 on average. Most companies that offer water heaters will offer a free installation. If you choose to buy your heater and go to a separate professional to get it installed, you might have to pay an additional $150 to $800, depending on the type of labor you need to have done.
What is the most important factor to consider when you’re trying to figure out a potential heater lifespan?
The most important factor to consider when you’re trying to figure out a potential heater lifespan is the warranty. If you have a good brand with a decent warranty , then you don’t have to worry about much when it comes to repairs. Since maintenance isn’t that big of a problem with these kinds of heaters, focusing on the repairs and reviews will be more than enough.
How long does a water heater last?
A standard water heater will last between six and 13 years, depending on the maintenance performed as well as the quantity of hard water sediment you have in your water supply.
How do I clean a water heater?
To clean a water heater, you will need to flush out the sediment from its lines. This is a fairly simple thing to do, which is good because you need to do it on a semi-regular basis.
Is an indirect water heater energy efficient?
Indirect water heaters are highly energy-efficient and can be powered by a wide range of different heating sources. They are simple, require little maintenance, and have a modern design. However, they require larger storage tanks to work and may not be as capable of keeping water hot as other models. There are plenty of reasons why people are now ...
What is the best indirect water heater?
The best indirect water heater is the perfect solution for any home that wants to achieve energy consumption efficiency. A high-efficiency indirect water heater keeps you warm during the cold months of fall and winter.
When was the first indirect water heater invented?
Amtrol introduced the world’s first indirect-fired water heater system in 1980. The brand continues to design and create water heaters that produce sufficient hot water with minimal fuel expenditure. The BoilerMate WH-41Z is one of these products.
How many gallons of water does a motorhome water heater hold?
It is small, yet provides enough hot water for two people. Do remember that its capacity is only 12 gallons. I do not recommend this for households with a high demand for hot water.
Why is the boilermate unique?
It is unique from other indirect water heater systems because of the placement of its heat exchanger. While most products have this component enter through the tank’s sidewall, the BoilerMate has its heat exchanger mounted on top. The design allows for a more efficient heat transfer. You get hot water faster.
Why do indirect water heaters last longer?
Indirect water systems also last longer than conventional direct water heaters. These energy-efficient systems do not undergo rapid expansion and contraction due to abrupt changes in water temperature. It saves the metal tank from fatigue.
How many gallon is a Westinghouse water heater?
The Westinghouse WER080C2X045 is an 80 gallon indirect water heater that large households should always consider buying. It is efficient and can provide enough hot water for a platoon.
How many BTU per hour does a boiler provide?
It has unique tank-in-tank technology. In detail, the outer tank serves as the boiler for the system that heats the rest of the house. It can provide up to 300,000 BTU per hour.
What Size Indirect Water Heater Do You Need?
What size of indirect water heater you would need to buy will depend on the needs of your family. If you’re a family with more than five people, a 60-80 gallon indirect water heater will be adequate, and for less than five people, you can try using a 40-50 gallons header.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Since an indirect water heater is a power tool, you’ll need to know some technical mechanism to install it in your home, so if you have such experience installing this type of tool, you can do it yourself, but we always recommend hiring an expert.
Summing-up
If you’re still asking what size indirect water heater you need, our suggested word is to read the entire post again, and hopefully, you will be able to find your answer!
