Need/want to replace hot water heater with tankless

[slash007]

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Here are a couple pics of my bays. As you see, there isn't much protecting the lines, just a piece of wood screwed onto the metal beam and the lines are tucked inside. On my bay that wasn't weeping as much as it should, I just replaced the gun and that fixed it. Hopefully it will hold up.

 

[2Biz]

The I-beam is transferring cold temps right into the lines. With no insulation its like laying a piece of meat right on an ice cold freezer rack. No wonder your having problems. Maybe you could find a way to put some insulation between the beam and hoses and fold it over before putting the board back on. This way the hoses would be wrapped completely in insulation. You could use 1" thick foil backed duct insulation to make it easier to work with and do maintenance...Just a thought...

 

[slash007]

there is a 1" piece of foil backed insulation on the back of the lines between them and the beam. There was also a piece on the front between the wood and the lines but it has fallen apart and most of it is missing. It eventually fell apart like confetti so I didn't replace the front, but at least the wood will not be as cold as the metal beams. Where can I find foil backed duct insulation if I wanted to add some to the front? Is it a common item found a Lowes and such?

 

[2Biz]

You'll have to get that at a heating and air distributor. They will usually sell to the GP as long as its something that doesn't need some sort of certification to install...Lowes or HD does have some dense foam insulation in 1/2", 3/4" and 1" thick sheets. Its also foil backed and might work better? A 4' x 8' sheet will cover a lot of area. Plus its pretty inexpensive...About $10-$12 a sheet...