Electricity vs Gas

[T-RIDER]

Hi Dave, have you looked at solar heating?

 

[hemibee]

I didn't spend a lot of time reading on the system you linked to but I may be able to answer some questions on how they work here. Generally you have two different systems here, one is a tankless water system either gas or electric. This system replaces the the most common system used here today, the 30 to 60 gallon water heater. The tankless system is rated by GPM (gallons per minute) flow capabilities so the larger the house or the more folks using the system you would probably want to run with a larger GPM much like you would want to have a tank sized for your house and/or family size. The second system is a local tankless water heater, it only provides hot water to one location such as the bathroom and it too comes with a rating here in the States as per it's GPM. The difference in this system is it is smaller, is sized for just one room and in theory can be more economical. I say in theory because I haven't seen the savings numbers on this system versus the larger tankless system, I've only seen the savings in it versus the 30-60 gallon tank systems.

 

[hemibee]

Some of the ones I have seen seen have a small tank for each "station". You mentioned 20L which would be a little over 5 US gallons. I have not done thorough research on these systems; but I understand that the small thank tanks get you started with hot water. Then water is heated as it comes through when you are using it - washing dishes, showering, etc. They save on water because you don't have to let the water run for several minutes before you get hot water at the tap.

I will be researching this thoroughly as I prepare to buy the farmhouse in North Carolina. I am going to remodel the bathroom and kitchen anyway and add central heat and air conditioning. I am looking for the most energy efficient and cost effective way of doing this.

I forgot about these systems, I hadn't read about them in a while since I've been looking more at the smaller localized systems for the bathrooms.

 

[CarlS]

Thanks, Tony. I appreciate the information.

 

[otherwise]

We installed instantaneous gas hot water and it's great. An additional benefit is you just dial the required temperature, no mixing with cold.

 

[CarlS]

Thanks, Kevin. I was not aware that you did not have mix with the cold.

 

[The Seeker]

Those instant water heaters don't cut it here in winter wonderland. Plus we can't have water pipes exposed when it drops below freezing for weeks at a time.



Posted using Tapatalk 2 via my RAZR

 

[otherwise]

Thanks, Kevin. I was not aware that you did not have mix with the cold.

You certainly can mix hot and cold if you like to but it's unnecessary to heat water and then cool it down with cold. We have a touch-pad in the kitchen and bathroom, if say you were using 55c at the kitchen sink and want a shower we just push the down arrow in the bathroom a few times to the desired temp for a shower. We use 55c in the kitchen and depending on the season vary between 37c and 41c in the bathroom. This system of not storing hot water works best for up to 3 or 4 people at about 4 or more family users stored hot water can be cheaper.

 

[otherwise]

I recalled a similar conversation some time back and went back and found this. Look at post #22 in this thread, I posted a photo of the set up.
https://www.triumphtalk.com/showthread.php/16972-Electrical-Appliances/page3?highlight=water

 

[CarlS]

Hi Dave, have you looked at solar heating?

Mabel has solar hot water heating in her house. In the summer it works very well for two to four people; the electric hot water heater rarely comes on. In the winter, it still does fairly well; but it has to be supplemented with the electric hot water heater. The problem is that installation is so expensive and the solar collectors are expensive. They have to be mounted on the roof and meet hurricane codes. It would take her 20 years to recoup her investment.

You certainly can mix hot and cold if you like to but it's unnecessary to heat water and then cool it down with cold. We have a touch-pad in the kitchen and bathroom, if say you were using 55c at the kitchen sink and want a shower we just push the down arrow in the bathroom a few times to the desired temp for a shower. We use 55c in the kitchen and depending on the season vary between 37c and 41c in the bathroom. This system of not storing hot water works best for up to 3 or 4 people at about 4 or more family users stored hot water can be cheaper.

That makes sense; I was not aware of the keypad programming. Thanks much.

I recalled a similar conversation some time back and went back and found this. Look at post #22 in this thread, I posted a photo of the set up.
https://www.triumphtalk.com/showthread.php/16972-Electrical-Appliances/page3?highlight=water

I had forgotten about his; thanks for the link.

 

[DaveM]

Hi Dave, have you looked at solar heating?

I have looked at these but the cost even with the rebate from Eishkom is still heavy and they don't look that great. Also if I am looking at doing the oven with gas I may as well go for this to heat the water.

I didn't spend a lot of time reading on the system you linked to but I may be able to answer some questions on how they work here. Generally you have two different systems here, one is a tankless water system either gas or electric. This system replaces the the most common system used here today, the 30 to 60 gallon water heater. The tankless system is rated by GPM (gallons per minute) flow capabilities so the larger the house or the more folks using the system you would probably want to run with a larger GPM much like you would want to have a tank sized for your house and/or family size. The second system is a local tankless water heater, it only provides hot water to one location such as the bathroom and it too comes with a rating here in the States as per it's GPM. The difference in this system is it is smaller, is sized for just one room and in theory can be more economical. I say in theory because I haven't seen the savings numbers on this system versus the larger tankless system, I've only seen the savings in it versus the 30-60 gallon tank systems.

Thanks Tony good info

I recalled a similar conversation some time back and went back and found this. Look at post #22 in this thread, I posted a photo of the set up.
https://www.triumphtalk.com/showthread.php/16972-Electrical-Appliances/page3?highlight=water

Yes I remember us having this conversation some time back and I have been looking for the system you have with the temp controls as it is but it seems the ones I have listed here are about the best we get in SA. What I now really need to do is look at the actual cost and and see who would install this type of setup. I suppose a plumber would also be needed to do all the water pipes

 

[CarlS]

Dave, let us know what you decide.

 

[DaveM]

Well so far it will all come down to cost but when I am ready for it I will let you all know