Quote:
Originally Posted by ohioshooter
From what I’ve read this still isn’t for a on demand. Thanks
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There are two ways to have nearly instant hot water with an on-demand/tankless system:
1. You install multiple, small, individual, on-demand heaters, at each location where you want instant hot water. In new construction, this means you only have to run one cold-water line to those locations. At the location, you then split the line so as to run cold water to the tap and water to be heated to the on-demand heater. You then install a larger on-demand heater for the rest of the house. You will have a time lag to get hot water to the locations not equipped with a smaller on-demand heater.
2. You install one large capacity on-demand heater for the entire house which fills a small "holding" tank. At the holding tank, you install a recirculating pump. In new construction, you install three lines to the locations where you want instant hot water. One line is cold, the other hot via the recirculating pump, and the third a return line to the holding tank.
In a remodel, you install a Watts pump at the holding tank which continuously circulates water in the hot water lines and returns it to the holding tank in the cold water lines. The Watts system requires that a manifold, a simple tube with one-way valves, be installed at the faucet that is furthest from the holding tank. If the hot water line is "split" and hot water is sent in two directions inside the house, you will need a manifold at the end of each of the lines. This is common in The Villages.
Using an on-demand heater and a holding tank is very efficient. Instead of having a regular water heater of 40, 50, or 60 gallons, all of which must be kept hot at all times, you will be heating only a small holding tank of, perhaps, 5-10 gallons depending on the size of your house. Any plumbing supply house can advise you as to the size of the holding tank.
I know it is an oxymoron to add a tank to a tankless water heater. However, it works and, with the addition of a recirculating pump, is the only way you can have nearly instant hot water throughout the house when using an on-demand water heater.