[Shaun Eli]

A while back somebody posted the url of a forum for HVAC contractors,
but I can't find it.

It was a website where contractors discussed the business and would
also answer consumer questions. Anybody have the url?

And, if people here want to help, here's my issue:

I'm getting a new NG boiler (90% efficient). For another $1500 I can
get an indirect hot water tank (I think it's 45 gallons, rated over
200 gal/hr, which is way more than I expect I'd need).

It'd be to replace my current water heater (50 gallon, NG, over ten
years old).

Does it make sense to replace the current water heater with an
indirect tank, or just keep it until it needs replacing and then just
buy a new one and have it installed?

thanks,

copyright 2010 by Shaun Eli

[Stormin Mormon[_3_]]

I can't imagine saving $1500 in natural gas, so I'd keep the existing
tank. And replace the existing tank with a NG unit, when the time
comes.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


"Shaun Eli" wrote in message
...
A while back somebody posted the url of a forum for HVAC contractors,
but I can't find it.

It was a website where contractors discussed the business and would
also answer consumer questions. Anybody have the url?

And, if people here want to help, here's my issue:

I'm getting a new NG boiler (90% efficient). For another $1500 I can
get an indirect hot water tank (I think it's 45 gallons, rated over
200 gal/hr, which is way more than I expect I'd need).

It'd be to replace my current water heater (50 gallon, NG, over ten
years old).

Does it make sense to replace the current water heater with an
indirect tank, or just keep it until it needs replacing and then just
buy a new one and have it installed?

thanks,

copyright 2010 by Shaun Eli

[Ed Pawlowski[_2_]]

"Shaun Eli" wrote
I'm getting a new NG boiler (90% efficient). For another $1500 I can
get an indirect hot water tank (I think it's 45 gallons, rated over
200 gal/hr, which is way more than I expect I'd need).

It'd be to replace my current water heater (50 gallon, NG, over ten
years old).

Does it make sense to replace the current water heater with an
indirect tank, or just keep it until it needs replacing and then just
buy a new one and have it installed?

At 10 years, the old tank can go at any time, or could last another 10
years.

A new Energy Star water heater is going to cost about $550 plus
installation, so cal it $750. The indirect may be slightly more efficient,
but it will take a very long time to pay back the additional $750.

I'd have to see other reasons to part with $1500 right now. If the old
heater is still going, I'd keep it and replace as needed.

OTOH, I do have an indirect fired water heater, but I have oil heat and
there are not many good alternatives. You may want to look at the systems
by www.energykinetics.com and the System 2000 series of very efficient
heaters. My savings in oil is 38% the first year. It has a water tank and
heat exchanger and gives me all the hot water I can use.

[Erma1ina]

Shaun Eli wrote:

A while back somebody posted the url of a forum for HVAC contractors,
but I can't find it.

It was a website where contractors discussed the business and would
also answer consumer questions. Anybody have the url?


Try this:

http://hvac-talk.com

The specific forum for homeowners asking questions is "Residential HVAC"
at:

http://hvac-talk.com/vbb/forumdisplay.php?f=1

[Shaun Eli]

So then what are the chances the current water heater starts to leak
slowly, vs. FLOOD?

Oh, I found the forum I was looking for, it's heatinghelp.com.

[Shaun Eli]

One more thing:

Another advantage of the indirect tank is that I would no longer need
the flue, freeing up about a square foot of kitchen floor space (and
upstairs hallway), leaving room for another kitchen cabinet. I don't
know if I can put a value on that but it'd be nice. Of course I'd have
to remove the flue and do a lot of patching (walls, floors, ceilings).

[[email protected]]

On Aug 15, 8:25*am, Shaun Eli wrote:
One more thing:

Another advantage of the indirect tank is that I would no longer need
the flue, freeing up about a square foot of kitchen floor space (and
upstairs hallway), leaving room for another kitchen cabinet. I don't
know if I can put a value on that but it'd be nice. Of course I'd have
to remove the flue and do a lot of patching (walls, floors, ceilings).

You could probably do the same thing later on with a direct vent water
heater when the existing water heater needs replacement. It seems
around 13 years is the typical life for a gas water heater. Part of
the decision on what to do also rests with the consequences of the
existing one suddenly leaking. And that depends on where the unit is
located.