Water Heaters - Replace 50 Gal with 50 gal or 2 40 ga
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gholt1
12-09-07, 01:31 AM
Hi:
My 50 gal water heater is as far as I can guess 10-15 years old. I was in Lowes tonight and they had a 50 gal whirlpool 10 yr on clearance for $100. So, I thought that it might be a good time to replace with a new one. But I have heard that it is cheaper to operate two 40 gal water heaters hooked up in tandem (Where one tank feeds the 2nd tank with hot water and the 2nd tank is just a holding tank). This is also supposed to make sure that you will probably not run out of hot water.
It would be natural gas for either option. The location is in a finished basement. So, all you experts out there who know something about this, let me know your thoughts.
My 50 gal water heater is as far as I can guess 10-15 years old. I was in Lowes tonight and they had a 50 gal whirlpool 10 yr on clearance for $100. So, I thought that it might be a good time to replace with a new one. But I have heard that it is cheaper to operate two 40 gal water heaters hooked up in tandem (Where one tank feeds the 2nd tank with hot water and the 2nd tank is just a holding tank). This is also supposed to make sure that you will probably not run out of hot water.
It would be natural gas for either option. The location is in a finished basement. So, all you experts out there who know something about this, let me know your thoughts.
hankhill6018
12-09-07, 06:27 AM
Just a couple of things to keep in mind:
If you replace a 50 for 50 with similar specs, it should be a relatively simple replacement as far as the gas line, water lines and exhaust vent.
If you replace with 2 40's then you will need to determine if your gas supply line will handle the extra btu load. Then you will have to plumb in the 2 heaters with water and the exhaust vents. If your existing exhaust vent is 3 inches, you will have to replace it to go from the 3 inch of 2 new heaters to a tee, then into a bigger size to handle the the extra volume of gases.
Not knowing what would exactly be involved to retro your set up for 2 40's, and your comfort level to take on the job, you will likely spend $500 in material alone, not counting the cost of the heaters. Include the $300 to $350 for the heaters, it will cost you well over $1000 to retro. That's a lot to make up in cost over a $100 50 gal heater.
If you replace a 50 for 50 with similar specs, it should be a relatively simple replacement as far as the gas line, water lines and exhaust vent.
If you replace with 2 40's then you will need to determine if your gas supply line will handle the extra btu load. Then you will have to plumb in the 2 heaters with water and the exhaust vents. If your existing exhaust vent is 3 inches, you will have to replace it to go from the 3 inch of 2 new heaters to a tee, then into a bigger size to handle the the extra volume of gases.
Not knowing what would exactly be involved to retro your set up for 2 40's, and your comfort level to take on the job, you will likely spend $500 in material alone, not counting the cost of the heaters. Include the $300 to $350 for the heaters, it will cost you well over $1000 to retro. That's a lot to make up in cost over a $100 50 gal heater.
boilersrus
12-26-07, 06:30 PM
GRAB IT before they run out of them, :thumbup: and get me a few too! :D $100 is a cheap price for a 50 gal natural gas fired water heater of ANY brand.
I believe in keeping things simple. Replace it with the same sized HWH if it has been working OK for you before.:cool:
Go with 4'' Duct as this is code now in many areas (if you can and know how to do it). If not, keep the same size duct, just replace it. Make sure that you use minimum 26 guage duct, not the light stuff made for your clothes dryer.
Unless you are running 4 washing machines and there are 8 people bathing twice a day each, I don't think you will get any significant savings using 2 HWH instead of one. You have 3 times the cost at a minimum when you factor in the additional parts. Then you have 3 times the work!
:alarm: Then don't forget that most water heaters are NOT warranted by the manufacturer if the inlet water temperature exceeds 120*, another factor to consider!
If you were to save 20% in fuel costs when your normal gas bill is $30 per month, you would be saving $72 per year. If your normal bill is $80 (extremely high JUST for hot water)you would be saving $176 per year. YOUR choice. Triple the work and cost and you are not even guaranteed a 20% savings in fuel either.
YOUR choice,
Charlie :coffee:
I believe in keeping things simple. Replace it with the same sized HWH if it has been working OK for you before.:cool:
Go with 4'' Duct as this is code now in many areas (if you can and know how to do it). If not, keep the same size duct, just replace it. Make sure that you use minimum 26 guage duct, not the light stuff made for your clothes dryer.
Unless you are running 4 washing machines and there are 8 people bathing twice a day each, I don't think you will get any significant savings using 2 HWH instead of one. You have 3 times the cost at a minimum when you factor in the additional parts. Then you have 3 times the work!
:alarm: Then don't forget that most water heaters are NOT warranted by the manufacturer if the inlet water temperature exceeds 120*, another factor to consider!
If you were to save 20% in fuel costs when your normal gas bill is $30 per month, you would be saving $72 per year. If your normal bill is $80 (extremely high JUST for hot water)you would be saving $176 per year. YOUR choice. Triple the work and cost and you are not even guaranteed a 20% savings in fuel either.
YOUR choice,
Charlie :coffee: