Hot Water Heater
To all who can offer good suggestions, I have a four story 3-family brownstone with 4 bathrooms, clothes washer& dishwasher. Recently is seems like all 6 adults are taking a shower at the same time in the morning which created a problem with hot water running low or turning cold. We have an older A.O….
To all who can offer good suggestions, I have a four story 3-family brownstone with 4 bathrooms, clothes washer& dishwasher. Recently is seems like all 6 adults are taking a shower at the same time in the morning which created a problem with hot water running low or turning cold. We have an older A.O. Smith 50 gallon, 40000 BTU per hour, which gives only 40 gal per hour of hot water. Obviously we need a better heater. The question is what size should we get, stay with 50 or go to 75 gallon. I do not want to make a mistake of getting new one which would not be sufficient. Also if we change the heater does the plumber has to file and/or obtain plumbing repair slip for this work? Master Plumber – help!
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You don’t have to obtain a Plumbing/Repair slip (LAA form) for this work, it can be listed on the new OP-128 form which is filed every month by a Licensed Plumber. As long as the original water heater was filed, you shouldn’t have a problem. Good luck trying to find that information out.
I have a similar home…4 storey, 3 family, 4 bathrooms, 3 dishwashers, 3 washer/dryers. My hot water heater is gas, 50 gallon, HIGH RECOVERY (that means 92 gallons for the first hour). You must have low-flow showerheads…about 1.5 gal./min. flow. Keep the water temperature set at 125 degrees and all the pipes (at least the exposed ones) insulated (foam is good). I never have a problem with hot water. Oh, it’s an A.O.Smith.
• It is a good idea to first drain the hot water heater to see if sediment has covered the lower heating element. ( that is if its an electric hot water heater ) its also a good practice to do yearly for any hot water heater.
what you may run into when removing the sediment is that the drain valve on many heaters is made of cheap plastic, and some sediment from the heater will can prevent the plastic valve from fully closing again. You an easily replace the plastic valve with a brass one. ( if you’d rather not to this, i can do it for you )
• in my 4 unit brownstone we have two 50 gallon heaters. They are plumbed in parallel, with unions, with a bypass link.
This works great, AND if one of the hot water heaters fails, the broken one is easily replaced while the functioning heater keeps providing hot water for the building. With the two hot water heaters, you are not at the mercy of a service provider in the middle of the night. You can take a day or two and buy a good replacement heater.
eric, http://handymaneric.com
I went with 75G for 2 family house just because this is the biggest we could fit though the basement door.
Before you will replace heater, you might want try to clean the sediment. close the intake and drain the heater through the side valve. The sediment buildup insulates water from the heat and make it less efficient. You also can try to clean the burner. Soot buildup gives less heat.
50 gallons/50,000BTUs should serve up to 6 adults.
If you’re unsure, go to the high-recovery 50 gallons/65,000 BTU model.
http://www.GatewayPlumbing.com
75 gallons, you have at least about 25′ – 30′ high rise plus 6 people same time every day. Also try gas company, time for a deal on the phone.
75 gallons, you have at least about 25′ – 30′ high rise plus 6 people same time every day. Also try gas company, time for a deal on the phone.
50 gallons isn’t enough for 3 units. Also, think about retrofitting shower heads to reduce water demand at peak shower times.