Need to replace water tank, looking for recommendations

[slash007]

I am tired of my water tank and want to go ahead and replace it. It is the 199,999btu type so not a boiler, just a large water tank. I saw a mention here on the forum a while back of a nice really efficient water tank that size, but can't find the thread. Any recommendations are appreciated. Btw, I considered tankless, but I would need to daisy chain a few to meet my peak demand, so I am just going to stick with the water tank.

Thanks.

 

[mjwalsh]

I am tired of my water tank and want to go ahead and replace it. It is the 199,999btu type so not a boiler, just a large water tank. I saw a mention here on the forum a while back of a nice really efficient water tank that size, but can't find the thread. Any recommendations are appreciated. Btw, I considered tankless, but I would need to daisy chain a few to meet my peak demand, so I am just going to stick with the water tank.

Thanks.

Slash007,

There has been good feedback over on the Coin Laundry Association Open Forum on this stainless steel water tank: HTC 199K BTU Phoenix modulating hot water heater. If I remember right it seems like 2Biz might have one of the Phoenix by HTC since he is using his tankless system for his deicing system in his concrete floor.

mike walsh www.kingkoin.com

 

[6t7gto]

http://www.zoro.com/rheem-ruud-comm.../i/G2672984/?gclid=CMDnxd2U3cMCFQmpaQodfRQAMw

I thought mine was leaking. This is the best price I found.

p.s. if this is what you are talking about

 

[2Biz]

I have the “HTP” Phoenix 199K btu 55 gallon model. Bought it from Boston Heating Supply…. http://bostonheatingsupply.com/phoenixph199-55.aspx

This water heater is awesome! I have it set on 100° and according to the manual, 50-60° Delta (Temperature rise) it will heat appr. 350-450 gallons an hour. This past winter I had an exceptional day for my 4 bay…Used 3500 gallons of water. Extremely busy, non stop all 4 bays all day. I heat the wax and soap cycles. It kept up no problem…. It also has 1” NPT ports. 1” will flow roughly 40 gallons per minute. Over kill for my 4 bay! But extremely happy with the performance. It’s all SS, so I’m hoping it outlives me! Forgot to mention, it also uses very little NG. Aside from the delivery charges, it only costs about a buck per 1000 gallons (total bay usage) to heat the water.

 

[slash007]

http://www.zoro.com/rheem-ruud-comm.../i/G2672984/?gclid=CMDnxd2U3cMCFQmpaQodfRQAMw

I thought mine was leaking. This is the best price I found.

p.s. if this is what you are talking about

I was talking about an actual water tank, not a storage tank. But funny thing, at my other wash my storage tank was leaking and I bought this same exact tank from Zoro too. I googled Zoro coupons and found one for 20% off, so I only paid $800+ for it and they delivered in two days.

 

[slash007]

I have the “HTP” Phoenix 199K btu 55 gallon model. Bought it from Boston Heating Supply…. http://bostonheatingsupply.com/phoenixph199-55.aspx

This water heater is awesome! I have it set on 100° and according to the manual, 50-60° Delta (Temperature rise) it will heat appr. 350-450 gallons an hour. This past winter I had an exceptional day for my 4 bay…Used 3500 gallons of water. Extremely busy, non stop all 4 bays all day. I heat the wax and soap cycles. It kept up no problem…. It also has 1” NPT ports. 1” will flow roughly 40 gallons per minute. Over kill for my 4 bay! But extremely happy with the performance. It’s all SS, so I’m hoping it outlives me! Forgot to mention, it also uses very little NG. Aside from the delivery charges, it only costs about a buck per 1000 gallons (total bay usage) to heat the water.

2biz, how much did you pay for yours? I remember searching for a tank a year ago and thought that I saw this tank for about a grand less.

 

[2Biz]

Yea...Price has gone up...I paid $3600 + $200.00 shipping. To me the price is still worth it compared to buying a boiler and everything associated with using a boiler.

 

[slash007]

Yea...Price has gone up...I paid $3600 + $200.00 shipping. To me the price is still worth it compared to buying a boiler and everything associated with using a boiler.

How was the install? I have my current tank in the corner on some blocks just like yours, but the flue is on top. How is this one vented out? I am wondering how much I would have to change to make it work. Also, how was it weight wise? Was it hard to position in initially, or did you need more than two people?

 

[2Biz]

Its not that heavy! I think I lifted it on the blocks by myself...But 2 people could get it quite easily. These new energy efficient water heaters vent with PVC. The intake is also PVC. They both have to be vented above the roof of your building. Download the instructions from the site I linked to. There is detailed instructions on how to install.

 

[slash007]

Good tip on reading the instructions, that clarified the install for me. Do you use an expansion tank on yours? I don't see it in your picture. I don't have one in my current setup.

 

[2Biz]

Yea...The expansion tank is on the supply side of the hot water heater, just above the tank mounted to the wall. Its just out of site in the picture. I'll see if I have a picture of it and post...I was told I really didn't need one when running water temps at only 100°. But I installed one anyway.

 

[slash007]

I just realized that my current tank is 100 gallons. What's the best way to figure out what size I need? I have a six bay and the soap, wax, presoak and fb are heated.

 

[2Biz]

Do you know the most water you ever used in a single day? I have used 3500 my most busy day and it kept up easily. In the instructions there are charts to help you calculate how much water the heater will heat per hour.

 

[2Biz]

You shouldn't compare your current tank size with one of these high efficient models. When sizing mine, I took 50% of how much my 4 bay would use if all 4 bays ran at the same time for an hour. That is 720 gallons divided by 2 equals 360 gallons per hour. Then you have rinse that is cold as a cushion. There really isn't much difference between 50 gallon, 80 gallon, or the 100 gallon other than first hour rating. You basically have a demand heater with a storage tank.

 

[2Biz]

Expansion tank Pics...Nothing special...

 

[slash007]

Thanks for the pictures. I really love how clean all of your setups are. Are those screws in your pvc couplings? In regards to the sizing, I don't see how 50 gallons wouldn't be enough. Worse case if it isn't, the water would just be cold until it caught up, but it would keep everything running, right?

 

[MEP001]

The PVC is for fresh air and venting, so he must have glued the fitting on one end of the fitting and used a screw to keep them assembled on the other.

Yes, with a tank heater like that you won't run out of water.

 

[mjwalsh]

Expansion tank Pics...Nothing special...

2Biz,

I probably would have left out the expansion tanks unless the instructions specifically said otherwise. I would have put at least two strategically placed non expensive temperature & pressure gauges. If I did put in an expansion tank or two I would have put a ball valve for each ... in case the expansion tank needed to be replaced ... it would facilitate that process.

BTW, we did make sure on our laundromat - car wash - pet wash boiler system that we have two expansion tanks with isolation ball valves. When I need to replace an expansion tank temporarily bypassing it ... it is helpful to see exactly how the pressure is affected. Since your system is for what people in the mechanical plumbing contractor industry commonly refer to as a domestic hot water system ... I am having trouble seeing where you gain with the expansion tanks. I see where in a well pump situation maintaining pressure as needed ... it could be helpful though.

mike walsh www.kingkoin.com

 

[slash007]

The instructions do specifically mention to install an expansion tank.

 

[2Biz]

This heater can heat water to 180 deg I believe. That's the main reason for an expansion tank. Hot water expands. But you are correct, it's really not needed when only heating water to 100 deg. I opted to put it in anyway. As for the ball valves, good point. I put in a union for ease of changing out. But I can install a pvc ball valve in just a few minutes if needed. But that may be 20 years from now! And yes the screws in the vent and intake is if I ever need to take it apart for any resson. I should add, the vent barely gets warm to the touch.