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Posted by HeatPro on September 17, 2009 at 21:34:28:
In Reply to: Re: Tankless vs. Indirect Domestic Water Heater posted by Mark on September 17, 2009 at 13:03:48:
If I purchase a boiler with an indirect water heater attached, I'll also have only one burner.
+++ True.
The water temperature coming into my home is between 40 and 45 degrees F. So the necessary temperature rise is greater than in other parts of the country. Would the lifespan and service/maintenance requirements of a tankless (on demand?) water heater be comparable to an indirect water heater?
+++ No.
: : Most areas replace indirect water heaters in five years due to liming of the exchanger and controls. They are serviced yearly in Europe and replaced here as most are used to not servicing a tank water heater than lasts a decade or more.
: 2. I thought I read that indirect domestic water heaters last at least three times as long as a water heater with its own flame. Is this not true?
+++ It is not true as in the previous statement. If you don't have it serviced every few years it will make you service it every few years.
: : Try this idea:
: : http://www.heatpro.us/designtree/documents/tanklesssys.htm
: : There are many installations working now with a $1000 heater and a tank that costs less than a separate boiler and seperate water heater.
: 3. Where do I find these? I haven't had any luck finding anything this inexpensive that is 90+% AFUE...
You didn't say 90%, most instantaneous water heaters aren't 90% AFUE, 90% are usually boilers at three times the price. For a $2000 fuel bill per year that would be $100 savings over 85% with a 20 year payback.
http://www.houseneeds.com/shop/HeatingProducts/WaterHeating/takagi/takagitkjrmain.asp#tkjr
http://www.houseneeds.com/shop/HeatingProducts/WaterHeating/takagi/tkjrindirectwaterheating.asp